Latest news with #SEZs
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
CAREC states invited to join Pakistan's SEZs
Listen to article Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday invited member states of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (Carec) to integrate their value chains with Pakistan's Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and explore opportunities for cross-border industrial clusters by leveraging Pakistan's preferential trade agreements with China, Asean and the Middle East. He extended the invitation while speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the fifth annual Carec Institute Research Conference, held in collaboration with the University of Sargodha. Themed "Carec Connectivity: Promoting Trade and Trade Facilitation," the conference brought together a diverse group of national and international stakeholders. "Today, intra-regional trade among Carec countries (excluding China) accounts for only 7% of total trade. In contrast, Asean bloc member countries have over 22% of total trade among themselves," he said. The Carec region, with a population of nearly two billion and vast reserves of energy, minerals and talent, was not short on potential, Iqbal said and stressed the need for a unified development strategy backed by collective action. Sharing the new development vision called Uraan Pakistan, the minister said it was based on five strategic pillars including exports, equity and empowerment, e-Pakistan, environment, energy and infrastructure. This strategy is not isolated from regional ambitions; rather it is aligned fully with the Carec Vision 2030. He pointed out that Pakistan was expanding high-value exports like IT, halal food and engineering goods. Pakistan's IT exports, for instance, have crossed $3.5 billion and are growing at an annual pace of 20%, empowering youth through digital skills.
Cision Canada
2 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
BOT Consulting forays into global market; expands its Global Delivery Center (GDC) footprint with a new Special Economic Zone (SEZ) facility in Rajasthan
Enabled through a government-backed MoU; the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) facility in Jaipur will create 500+ tech jobs Manpreet Singh, an industry veteran with experience at top global tech firms, will lead BOT's global debut and drive its next-gen GDC vision JAIPUR, India, May 29, 2025 /CNW/ -- BOT Consulting, a next-generation venture studio for Global Delivery Centers (GDCs), has announced its foray into the Indian market with its new SEZ facility in Jaipur. Spread in 2.5 acres, the 250+ seater delivery center at Mahindra World City, Jaipur will create over 500+ high-quality tech jobs in the region. Backed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Rajasthan signed on 10th Nov. 2024, further cements Jaipur's reputation as India's emerging hub for innovation, talent, and digital infrastructure. This expansion forms the foundation for BOT's vision of building sustainable, high-performance delivery ecosystems in Tier 2 cities that are ready for global transformation. As a Venture Studio for GDCs, BOT offers a distinctive model that enables global tech firms to scale in India. Its approach combines the benefits of SEZs, AI-led operations, and a strong values-driven culture to deliver enterprise-grade solutions with the agility of a startup, minus the complexities of traditional outsourcing. Driving this new chapter of growth is Manpreet Singh, a former executive at Salesforce and Wipro, who joins BOT as CEO. With over two decades of experience in building and scaling cloud-tech and consulting GDCs to successful exits, Manpreet brings a culture-first, innovation-forward leadership style that will accelerate BOT's global ambitions. Speaking at the event, Manpreet Singh, CEO, BOT Consulting said, "At BOT, we're not just building delivery centers, we're building ecosystems of talent, culture, and capability that scale with our clients. Our model is designed for speed, resilience, and long-term alignment, and the success of partners like Cloudsmith and Hakkoda is a testament to that vision. As we expand, our focus remains clear: to enable global tech firms to grow with agility, purpose, and impact." "This is not outsourcing. This is asset-building. We're creating modern, scalable delivery centers that are tightly aligned to global companies' cultures and performance goals. Jaipur, with its incredible talent and infrastructure, is ready to lead this global shift. BOT's integrated approach transforms delivery centers from cost-driven extensions into innovation-ready hubs that contribute directly to core business value," he further added. BOT's partners are reporting faster go-to-market outcomes, cultural cohesion, and high levels of operational performance through their India delivery centers. "BOT Consulting has helped accelerate Cloudsmith's growth by establishing a high-performance software engineering and technical support center in Jaipur. Their ability to attract talent and scale up with us have enhanced our operational efficiency and delivered exceptional time-to-value. We are believers in Jaipur emerging as a powerhouse for world-class tech talent. We plan to keep scaling up based on BOT's strong culture and performance," said Glenn Weinstein, CEO of Cloudsmith. Echoing the sentiment, Erik Duffield, CEO of Hakkoda (an IBM Company), added, "BOT Consulting has been a great Global Delivery Center partner in building out our team in Jaipur. Their support has enabled us to build an amazing team with speed and in tune with Hakkoda's culture, training, and structure." BOT's operating model is designed to solve the biggest challenges in global delivery—delays in ramp-up, talent attrition, and misaligned cultures—by embedding agility and ownership from day one. AI-native talent acquisition, intensive onboarding, and robust governance allow operational readiness within weeks. With a high retention rate, driven by a strong emphasis on cultural integration and employee well-being, BOT ensures continuity and quality at scale. Through partnerships with institutions like SKIT and LNMIIT, BOT is also nurturing Rajasthan's next generation of tech professionals, with 25% of its workforce drawn from local engineering colleges. The company's Śrī Initiative, its CSR platform, drives community engagement across education and environmental causes—strengthening the social fabric around its operations and deepening its roots in the region. BOT's emergence is more than a business expansion, it's a strategic blueprint for how global delivery can be reimagined with purpose, precision, and long-term value. About BOT Consulting BOT Consulting is a next-gen GDC venture studio headquartered in India. By combining modern infrastructure, Rajasthan's top talent, and its proprietary operating model, BOT builds scalable, transferable GDCs for global tech firms—with a culture-first approach that ensures low risk, high quality, and rapid time-to-value. Partnered with industry leaders like Hakkoda and Cloudsmith, BOT is redefining Jaipur as the next frontier for innovation.
Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Restoration of RoDTEP Scheme for AA, SEZ, and EOU Exports ensures that key contributors to exports are not excluded from critical incentives
Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) has commended the Government of India for restoring the benefits under the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme for exports from Advance Authorisation (AA) holders, Export-Oriented Units (EOUs) and Special Economic Zones (SEZs), effective June 1, 2025. The restoration ensures that key contributors to Indias exports are not excluded from critical incentives, especially at a time when global competitiveness and domestic industrial resilience are of utmost importance. ASSOCHAM has consistently advocated for the extension of RoDTEP to all exporting entities, including those operating in SEZs and under AA and EOU frameworks. This move will correct the gap that created cost disadvantages for such units and is aligned with Indias WTO commitments, noted Manish Singhal, Secretary General, ASSOCHAM.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Restoration of RoDTEP benefits to boost MSMEs, enhance investors' confidence: Assocham
New Delhi: The restoration of benefits under the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme by the government will also benefit micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), improve export logistics and enhance investors' confidence in India's industrial corridors, Assocham said on Wednesday. The leading industry chamber commended the Centre for restoring the benefits under the RoDTEP scheme for exports from Advance Authorisation (AA) holders, Export-Oriented Units (EOUs) and Special Economic Zones (SEZs), effective June 1, 2025. The restoration ensures that key contributors to India's exports are not excluded from critical incentives, especially at a time when global competitiveness and domestic industrial resilience are of utmost importance. 'Assocham has consistently advocated for the extension of RoDTEP to all exporting entities, including those operating in SEZs and under AA and EOU frameworks. This move will correct the gap that created cost disadvantages for such units and is aligned with India's WTO commitments,' said Manish Singhal, Secretary General, Assocham. As of March 31, 2025, total disbursements under the RoDTEP scheme have crossed Rs 57,976.78 crore, underscoring its significant role in supporting India's merchandise exports. For the financial year 2025–26, the government has allocated Rs 18,233 crore under the scheme. The RoDTEP scheme, in place since January 1, 2021, reimburses embedded taxes and duties not refunded under other schemes, thus promoting fair pricing and helping exporters to stay competitive. The latest notification reinstates these benefits which were available until February 5. 2025, creating uncertainty and financial strain for many exporters. The extended benefit will now cover over 10,795 HS lines applicable to AA, SEZ, and EOU exports, providing a much-needed boost to sectors such as engineering goods, electronics, pharmaceuticals and textiles that operate heavily through these frameworks, said Assocham. The RoDTEP scheme is compliant with World Trade Organisation (WTO) norms and is implemented via a comprehensive end-to-end digital platform to ensure transparency and efficiency.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Govt allocates Rs 18,233 cr under RoDTEP scheme for exporters for 2025-26
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel New Delhi: The government has allocated Rs 18,233 crore under the export benefit scheme RoDTEP in the current financial year for over 10,750 product categories, an official statement said on Tuesday. As of March 31, 2025, total disbursements under the RoDTEP scheme have crossed Rs 57,976.78 government also said that the benefits under the scheme for exports of goods manufactured in special economic zones and export-oriented units are restored from June 1 this the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP), various central and state duties, taxes, and levies imposed on input products, among others, are refunded to exporters. The current RoDTEP rates are in the range of 0.3-4.3 per cent."For the Financial Year 2025-26, the government has allocated Rs 18,233 crore under the scheme. The support will cover 10,780 HS lines (or product categories) for Domestic Tariff Area exports and 10,795 HS lines for Advance Authorization (AA) holders, Export-Oriented Units (EOUs), and units operating in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) exports, ensuring broad-based coverage for diverse sectors of the economy," the commerce ministry since January 1, 2021, the scheme is designed to reimburse exporters for embedded duties, taxes, and levies that are not otherwise refunded under any other existing is compliant with World Trade Organization (WTO) norms and implemented via a comprehensive end-to-end digital platform to ensure transparency and efficiency."The reinstatement of RoDTEP benefits for special export categories reflects the government's continued commitment to creating a conducive, competitive, and compliant export ecosystem that drives India's long-term trade growth," it on the move, economic think tank GTRI said the government did not allow RODTEP benefits for these groups for exports made between February 5 and May 31, 2025."The government's stop-and-start approach to RoDTEP undermines the scheme's purpose," Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) founder Ajay Srivastava RoDTEP is a WTO-compliant way to refund embedded duties paid by exporters, its repeated withdrawal for AA holders, EOUs, and SEZs creates serious uncertainty, he said."Exporters struggle to price products or plan long-term deals when they cannot rely on steady refunds. While the reinstatement of benefits is welcome, it raises a bigger issue: why were they cut off mid-cycle at all? To position India as a stable and competitive export hub, the government must ensure uninterrupted RoDTEP coverage for at least five years," he said.
