Special Economic Zones in India Policy, Performance and Prospects

This book systematically evaluates the trajectories of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) policymaking in India and its performance. The findings of the study are the result of detailed fieldwork conducted by the author in India and China at different points in time. Exploring China's SEZs policy and performance, the book discusses whether Indian policymakers were aware of the nuances of China's SEZs policy and the various facets of performance before replicating it for India. Performance analyses of Indian SEZs are carried out using both a conventional set of performance indicators and new frameworks, such as the zone trade performance index, the resource cost framework and efficiency analysis. Offering a balanced view to rate the performance of Indian SEZs, the significance of this study lies in its quest to provide an holistic appraisal of the various unexplored issues in the literature pertaining to SEZs in India.

Preface; Acknowledgements; List of tables, figures, charts and maps; Abbreviations; 1. Introduction; 2. Export processing zones to special economic zones: trajectories of policymaking; 3. China's experience with special economic zones under a liberalized regime - highs and lows; 4. Performance of special economic zones: promises, realizations and paradoxes; 5. An assessment of the fiscal viability of special economic zones; 6. Special economic zones and the question of efficiency; 7. Conclusions; Bibliography; Index.

Malini L. Tantri is an Assistant Professor at the Centre for Economic Studies and Policy, Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC), Bangalore. Her areas of specialization are international trade and development, specifically trade facilitation, India–China studies, trade and gender, special economic zones, and food security.