The latest development in the Calcutta Leather Complex (CLC) is the approval of the only Special Economic Zone in India exclusively for leather and allied industries.

Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is a specifically delineated duty free enclave and is deemed to be foreign territory for the purposes of trade operations and duties and tariffs.

The SEZ entails in-house customs clearances and single window facilities. Exporters in the park will enjoy the status of Offshore Units with a host of financial and non financial benefits.

The SEZ policy also envisages various exemptions from taxes, duties and levies. Even the unit profit is 100 % income tax free. Moreover, the units are declared as public utility services and enjoy multiple waiver of labour laws.

Any entity to the Leather and Allied Industries can operate in the SEZ. The major operators at the SEZ would be the manufacturers, exporters, importers, suppliers of leather products, accessories from India and abroad.

With this establishment of SEZ, the complex now is an ideal destination for setting up of tanning / manufacturing / trading / service units as it has the maximum operational economy compared to other states even without considering the lowest manpower costs

Calcutta Leather Complex (CLC) is a step towards India's goal of achieving 5% of the world trade in Leather & Leather Products in 2007. An estimated Rs. 5,000 cores direct project invesment now looms large over the eastern fringe of Kolkata on leather sector which simply makes the CLC the right destination of investment in the country.

Well established allied industries like chemical and finishing auxiliaries, components, consumables and accessories are already there.

CLC has been declared as the "Industrial park".

The leather industry occupies a place of pride in the Indian economy making its mark in the international arena because of its substantial export earnings and employment generation capability.

Despite India's advantageous position for the investors in the leather sector, important brands are apprehensive of setting up a unit owing to bureaucratic hurdles and red tapeism.

In-house customs clearance services and single window facilities at the SEZ would negate such apprehensions. Various exemptions from tax, duties and levies as envisaged in the SEZ policy, coupled with excellent infrastructure here enhance India's growth potential which will immensely encourage foreign investors.

With the development of the SEZ at the Calcutta Leather Complex, the Indian leather industry is poised to attain higher growth. It is bound to attract exporters as well as major international players with large invesments, large capabilities and high productivity for setting up units of mass production.