SEEPZ

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
state_name=Maharashtra
metro=Mumbai
type=neighbourhood
inset_map_marker=yes
native_name=SEEPZ
latd = 19.123
longd= 72.876
altitude=31
district= Mumbai Suburban
civic_agency= MCGM
parliament_const=
mla=
assembly_const=
corp_zone= | corp_ward=
postal_code= 400 096
footnotes = |

Santacruz Electronics Export Processing Zone (SEEPZ) is a Special Economic Zone in Mumbai, India. Situated in the Andheri East area, it is subjected to liberal economic laws as compared to the rest of India to promote rapid economic growth using tax and business incentives and attract foreign investment and technology [ [http://www.forbes.com/businesswire/feeds/businesswire/2008/02/05/businesswire20080204005694r1.html SEEPZ profile on Forbes] ] . Seepz was created in 1973 and was seen as export processing zone [ [http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-22098888_ITM SEEPZ SEZ: MOVING FORWARD DESPITE CONSTRAINTS] ] . Since then many other SEZ’s have been created in rest of India. SEEPZ mainly houses Software Companies and jewellery exporters of India. More than 40 percent of India’s total jewelry exports ($2,222.31 million) out of $5,210.69 million during year 2006-2007 came from units within SEEPZ [ [http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullNews.asp?id=27565 SEEPZ news] ] . Despite its name, it is not located near the suburb of Santacruz, rather it is located closer to Andheri that lies further north.

Profile

More than 150 units operate in SEEPZ. Prominent companies that have offices within Seepz include: Renaissance Jewellery Ltd, Gitanjali Gems Ltd, Vaibhav Gems Ltd, D’damas for Jewelry. IT Companies include Blue Star Infotech Ltd, Patni Computer Systems, Tata Consultancy Services, Datamatics Technologies Ltd. Buildings in SEEPZ are called Standard Design Factories(SDF) [ [http://www.forbes.com/businesswire/feeds/businesswire/2008/02/05/businesswire20080204005694r1.html SEEPZ profile on Forbes] ] .The SEZ is a high security entry zone. Employees of various companies need to have permanent SEEPZ gate pass to gain entry. Visitors need special permits to enter [ [http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullNews.asp?id=27565 SEEPZ entry] ] . Due to these hassles government proposed making SEEPZ a Free Trade Zone(FTZ) in 1999. However, gate pass and visitor pass rules continue till date. Making SEEPZ a FTZ meant that it would be treated as outside the customs zone of India. This meant no excise or customs duty will be levied on raw material but companies would also not be able to sell their products in domestic market [ [http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19990410/ibu10023.html SEEPZ to become free trade zone] ] .

Crimes

Due to its business importance and high concentration of work force SEEPZ has remained the prime target of criminals and terrorists. A high profile case occurred in 1999 when diamonds worth INRConvert|10|c and gold worth INRConvert|39|l were smuggled out and sold in local market [ [http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19991202/ige02006.html Another accused arrested SEEPZ case] ] . After the 28 July 2003 Mumbai Bus Bombing major stockpile of explosives was also found near SEEPZ [ [http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=101749 NSG team arrives in Mumbai] ] . Women employees working in SEEPZ during the night shifts are entitled to to-and-fro transport facility from home to office from their employers [ [http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19990612/ige12082.html HC orders SEEPZ to provide transport for women] ] .

Notable facts

Within the premises is located the ruins of an abandoned Portuguese church, St. John the Baptist Church, Mumbai built in 1579 [ [http://www.cybernoon.com/DisplayArticle.asp?section=fromthepress&subsection=inbombay&xfile=May2005_inbombay_standard6545 Historic Seepz church still remains a neglected monument] ] . The church laid in ruins for years and access to it restricted since the SEEPZ was formed. After much political controversy, it was handed back to Fr Rodney Esperance of Bombay Archdiocese in 2003 [ [http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1096878 St. John’s opens for mass] ] in ceremony organized by Maharashtra Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde [ [http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-24525380_ITM CM gives SEEPZ church back to archdiocese] ] . A lake and several canteens are located inside the SEEPZ premises.

External links

* http://www.seepz.com/ - -Official site

References