India's exports from SEZs up 11.8% in 2025-26: Govt

New Delhi: The country's exports from special economic zones (SEZs) rose by 11.8 per cent year-on-year to Rs 16,36,192 crore (USD 185.28 billion) in 2025-26, Parliament was informed on Tuesday.

The exports from these zones in 2024-25 were Rs 14,63,669 crore (USD 173.07 billion), according to the data provided by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

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He said that to improve utilisation, attract investment and integrate SEZs with domestic supply chains, the government undertakes various steps from time to time to enhance operational efficiency of these export zones.

The outbound shipments from these zones stood at Rs 13.55 lakh crore in 2023-24, Rs 12.63 lakh crore in 2022-23, and Rs 9,90,747 crore in 2021-22.

The data showed that Gujarat recorded the highest exports, worth Rs 4,05,595 crore, in the last fiscal. It was followed by Karnataka (Rs 2,69,004 crore), Maharashtra (Rs 2,43,422.50 crore), and Tamil Nadu (Rs 2,12,288 crore).

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PHARMA EXPORTS:

In a separate reply, the minister said India's exports of pharmaceutical products increased from USD 15.43 billion in 2014-15 to USD 31.12 billion in 2025-26, a compound annual growth rate of about 6.6 per cent. It was USD 30.27 billion in 2024-25.

Maharashtra is one of the country's leading pharmaceutical exporting states, contributing about 19 per cent of the shipments.

The exports from the state rose from USD 4.48 billion in 2021-22 to USD 5.94 billion in 2025-26, with Pune, Mumbai, Thane, Nashik, Palghar, Raigad and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) among the principal exporting districts.

TRADE PACTS:

In another reply, Prasada said as countries and businesses seek reliable and diversified trade partners, FTAs (free trade agreements) can help India secure preferential access to important markets, reduce tariff barriers, and increase the competitiveness of exports.

The country has finalised pacts with countries such as the UAE, Australia, the United Kingdom, Oman, New Zealand, and the EFTA bloc.

Replying to another question, he said the government monitors utilisation of preferential tariff benefits under newly operationalised trade agreements (signed post 2021) through Certificates of Origin (CoO) and partner-country trade data.

On the India-UAE trade pact, he said, since its entry into force on May 1, 2022, 4.45 lakh certificates have been issued.

Similarly, since the implementation of a trade pact with Australia in December 2022, as many as 2.73 lakh certificates have been issued.

"Since its (India-Oman trade agreement) entry into force on June 1, 2026, 783 Certificates of Origin have been issued," he said.

On a separate question, he said the operationalisation of FTAs has strengthened India's trade engagement with key partner countries by providing market access, reducing trade barriers, enhancing supply chain linkages and creating new opportunities for Indian exporters across sectors.