India’s exports from the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) rose by 41.5 per cent on a YoY basis led by pharmaceuticals and drugs. It touched Rs 2.15 lakh crores in Q1FY22.

Exports from these zones had taken a hit during the fiscal year 2020-21 due to Covid disruptions and lockdown.

The pandemic has opened opportunities for the Indian drug and pharmaceutical sector and this is reflected in the growth. In the April-June quarter, the growth in exports from SEZs was remarkable. The performance of engineering and gems and jewellery has not been bad either.

In FY21, exports from SEZs fell to Rs 7.6 lakh crore from Rs 7.97 lakh crore in FY20 due to Covid-19.

As on 30 June 2021, 267 out of a total of 427 SEZs approved by the government are operational.

Further, about Rs 6.25 lakh crore has been invested in these SEZs which employ about 2.5 million people.

India has exported US $ 3.89 billion of bulk drugs & drug intermediates in FY20 and US $ 4.43 billion in FY21. In April 2021, the export of drugs & pharmaceuticals stood at US$ 1.89 billion. India has one of the lowest manufacturing costs in the world.