AGRI EXPORT ZONES

April 27, 2019

Union Minister of State of Commerce and Industry informed Lok Sabha about Agri Export Zone (AEZ).

About:

  • Objective: Reason for introducing this concept was to take a comprehensive look at a particular produce/product located in a contiguous area for the purpose of developing and sourcing the raw materials, their processing/packaging, leading to final exports.

  • Timeline:

The concept of Agri Export Zone (AEZ) was introduced in 2001, through EXIM Policy 1997-2001.

  • In all 60 Agri Export Zones (AEZ) were notified by the Government till 2004 - 05.

  • In December 2004, an internal peer review conducted by Department of Commerce concluded that the notified AEZs had not been able to achieve the intended objectives.

  • It was decided that there will be no creation of new AEZs. Thus, No new AEZs have been set up after 2004.

  • All the notified AEZs have completed their intended span of 5 years and have been discontinued.

Source : PIB