New Delhi: Exports from special economic zones (SEZs), or tax free enclaves, during April-December 2009 grew by a robust 127 per cent to over US$ 32.14 billion year-on-year.

The total investments in the zones was at US$ 27.51 billion as on December 2009. According to L B Singhal, Director General at Export Promotion Council for EOUs & SEZs, exports from the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in the first nine months of 2009-10 was at US$ 32.53 billion compared to US$ 14.28 billion in the same period last year. SEZs have created additional employment to 154,025 people during the period.

Units in these zones are allowed 100 per cent tax exemption on their income for the first five years and 50 per cent in the next five years, according to the SEZ Act.

The government is has approved a total of 579 SEZs in the country, out of which 335 have been notified with 101 currently operational. The government is to consider eight fresh applications for SEZs on February 11.

The Board of Approval headed by Commerce Secretary, Mr Rahul Khullar would also decide on the applications of different developers seeking more time to execute their projects. These include Mahindra Satyam, Wockhardt Infrastructure Development Limited and the Kandla Port Trust.