Chennai: In a first, Special Economic Zones (SEZs) for marine exports are being set up in the country to promote the seafood export sector. The five Marine Export Zones (MEZs), to be established across coastal Tamil Nadu, will be integrated SEZ clusters comprising feed mills, processing units, cold storage, packaging and export logistics facilities, along with common infrastructure. About $1 billion will be invested in developing the infrastructureAn initiative of the Madras Export Processing Zone (MEPZ) under the Union commerce and industry ministry, the MEZs have an annual export potential of Rs 32,000 crore. About 2,500 acres of salt pans in Tiruvallur, Villupuram, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai and Ramanathapuram districts have been identified for the project. Currently, the land parcels are owned by the Salt Commissioner’s Organisation (SCO) under the department for promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT). MEPZ has written to DPIIT seeking the transfer of the land for developing the MEZs.“This will be the first set of MEZs to be established in the country. The land parcels offer several advantages, including brackish water, a rich coastal ecosystem, potential for integrated farming, and proximity to ports and processing facilities,” an official with the Union commerce and industry ministry told TOI.The MEZs will also house hatcheries and marine ancillary MSMEs. While the five SEZs are projected to attract investments of Rs 8,000 crore, they are expected to generate employment for between 1.4 lakh and 1.8 lakh people.The development comes as India exported 19,72,018 metric tonnes of seafood worth $8.5 billion in 2025-26, marking an all-time high in both volume and value of marine product exports.Mohamed Athif, secretary of the Seafood Exporters Association of India, Tamil Nadu region, said the MEZs will be a major boost for the seafood sector.“The facilities will go a long way in enhancing our value-added products and introducing new categories in this segment because a significant share of exports to the US and the European Union comprises ready-to-cook products. Several existing factories in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh are looking at modernisation and expansion, and the MEZs will play a major role in this. Moreover, the ease of doing business offered by SEZs is an attraction that will encourage investors to explore the MEZs,” he added.
