Cochin Special Economic Zone

Cochin SEZ is a Special Economic Zone in Cochin, in the State of Kerala in southwest India, set up for export- oriented ventures. The Special Economic Zone is a foreign territory within India with special rules for facilitating foreign direct investment. The Zone is run directly by the Government of India.

Cochin SEZ is a multi-product Zone. Cochin is strategically located. It is in southwest India, just 11 nautical miles off the international sea route from Europe to the Pacific Rim. Cochin is being developed by the Dubai Ports International as a container transhipment terminal with direct sailings to important markets of the world, which could position it as Hub for South Asia.

About Cochin

Cochin is a 1 million plus port city located in Kerala State in South West India. Cochin is the nearest Indian Port (just 11 nautical miles!) to the Europe-Pacific Rim International Sea Route. Not surprisingly, for most of recorded history, Kerala had more international trading links than most other places in India. Her spices were treasured in far-off Rome and Egypt as well as in China. It brought her famed visitors. The Arabs came first in India to Kerala in 712 A.D. Vasco Da Gama came to Kerala in 1497 A.D.

Even today, all the economic powerhouses of Asia are closer to Cochin than to any other Indian city. Called the Queen of the Arabian Sea since yore because of her geo-strategic locational position, Cochin is now being developed as a multi-modal logistics hub to capitalize on that advantage, and as a hub to service the South Asian market.

Cochin International Airport is the only airport in the private sector in India. It is well connected to West Asia, Singapore, and Colombo. Efforts are underway to develop this facility into a logistics hub. An aircraft maintenance facility and a refueling complex are also planned.

Cochin port’s container terminal currently handles under 200,000 TEUs a year. The Dubai Ports International is to invest in the Cochin Port to make it an international container transhipment terminal. This is sure to increase direct sailings to the major markets of the world.

The Indian State of Kerala is renowned for having attained a high Human Development Index comparable to US and West European levels. 91% of her 30 million people are literate. A highly developed social infrastructure in terms of housing, education, health care and transport services, telecommunication and entertainment facilities has sustained this for several decades now. What is unique about the State is that development is well spread out, and is not confined to towns.

Land

Developed Plots with tarred Roads, Power, Water & Sewage lines. Sizes ranging from 1000 sq. mtrs. to 40000 sq. mtrs Land is available only on lease. The lease is for 15 years. The lease is renewable. Lease rent Rs.110/- per sq.m. per annum. The lease rent is revisable every 3 years. No registration charges or stamp duties on the lease deed.

Airport

Cochin has a brand new International Airport. This is India’s only airport in the private sector. This is well connected to West Asia and Singapore. The Airport has air cargo handling facilities.The Airport is only 30 kms away from the Zone, and is connected by the New Cochin Airport-Seaport Highway.

Seaport

Cochin has a seaport which is 11 nautical miles away from the international sea route. The Port is connected by the Cochin Airport-Seaport Highway to the Zone, the distance is just 30 Kms.

Foreign Post Office

The Zone has a foreign Post office. This permits the Zone units to obtain all their parcels free of duties from abroad. All important Courier Agencies also serve the Zone.

Manpower

A 100% literate society. English educated, skilled, technical and managerial personnel available in plenty. Indicative monthly salaries are Rs.3,000 for unskilled personnel Rs.6,000/- for skilled and secretarial personnel, Rs.12,000/- onwards for managerial personnel.

Video Conferencing

The Zone has video conferencing facilities. This is available for use by the Zone’s units on payment of service charges.

Factory Building

Factory building in Multi storeyed format or independent single storeyed format available.The multi storeyed factory buildings come with 5 floors and are serviced by ramps as well as by cargo lifts of 2000 Kg. capacity.The load bearing capacity of the floor is 1000 Kg. per sq. mtr.The floor-to-floor height is 3.90 metres.Floor plates are 6000 square meters. Modules of required size can be made available. Factory Buildings are available only on lease. The lease is for 15 years. The lease is renewable. Lease rent Rs.830/- per sq.m. per annum. The lease rent is revisable every 3 years.