Nagpur: Exports from Mihan, dubbed the country’s largest multi-product SEZ, have grown by nearly 40% during the financial year 2025-26. A minor dip was seen in services exports, which predominantly takes place from the IT sector having a major presence in the zone. Mihan-SEZ has completed two decades of operations. As per figures compiled by the development commissioner’s office under the ministry of commerce, the value of exports for the last financial year stood at Rs9,626 crore. It was Rs6,935 crore in the fiscal 2024-25. Services exports were Rs2,926 crore in fiscal 2025-26 as against Rs2,974 crore in 2024-25, said senior officials involved in the SEZ management. The two aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul depots, run by Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL) and Indamer, also account for service exports. Data shows that the manufacturing sector has major contribution in the export growth. The predominant players are from the aviation sector, like Dassault Reliance Aviation Limited (DRAL) and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL). Both are engaged in making aircraft components. DRAL makes parts of Dassault’s Falcon business jet as well as Rafael fighter jet. Lupin Pharma is also among the oldest units in the manufacturing sector. “A number of factors, including costlier dollar, added to the growth in exports,” says Manohar Bhojwani, president of Mihan Industries Association, a body of companies that have units in the SEZ.There has been a demand in the overseas market too. “The easing of tariff after an initial hike has also helped in pushing the exports. Lupin Pharma is one of the major contributors. Apart from software, pharma and aircraft components, Mihan also exports niger seeds and pulses too,” said Bhojwani. Units in a SEZ have to clock in a net foreign exchange earning. This makes it necessary for the companies to have enough exports.State govt agency Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC), which is the developer of Mihan, is expecting a couple of new big-ticket investors as talks are under way with the companies, said a source. Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL) is the latest entrant, which recently held a groundbreaking of its robots and drones unit in the SEZ.
