The Hindu Business Line : What does everybody see in yes-ee-zee that I don't?

The Centre has approved 34 more SEZs, taking the total number of approved SEZs to 212, apart from `in-principle approvals' of 152. This, even as Kakinada SEZ has run into yet another problem, and RJD opposes SEZ policy.

Search for SEZ to know more, and you'd find, `Psycho sez he shoved Kendra, gets 23 years,' as a headline on www.nydailynews.com.

It is about how `after seven years and two trials,' a subway psycho finally confessed to shoving Kendra Webdale, a screenwriter, to her death by pushing her `into the path of an oncoming train'.

How gruesome! "Hezbollah Maintaining Its Arsenal? Sez Who?" reads another frightening headline, on www.theeveningbulletin.com.

It seems the Kendriya Sarkar is also frightened about the SEZ matter, `because of lack of transparency in fixing prices for acquiring land by State governments'.

So, for help, let's turn to B. Sriram, Senior Manager, indirect taxes, in the Global Tax Advisory Services of Ernst & Young, and ask him all those questions that we always wanted to ask, but were afraid to.

Everybody sez SEZ. Is it SMS for `says'? Or, a new animal on the prowl?

It certainly is a business jungle out there, where dreaded killer animals like tax are not permitted!

You can use it for messaging, but the abbreviation means `special economic zone'.

How to pronounce it? Like cess with `zz' at the end, though someone can mishear it as X?

Either way it should be correct, as it is the buzz of the times. And also sexy for business, if you can zee what I mean.

What does everybody see in yes-ee-zee that I don't? Or, what's the `S' secret in SEZ?

Yes it is easy, `yes ee zee' business that lures. Plus, the quick buck for `S'-tate, that's too `real' to ignore.

Why call it zone, or as my neighbour SEZ, jone?

Zone, because it is a separate area with a particular function. But there's nothing wrong keeping up with the Joneses, saying jone.

From photos it appears that everybody going to SEZ says `cheez'. Grins ke peeche kya hai?

Perhaps, the word SEZ makes everybody photogenic. SEZ magic wand can ward off the `tax' evil in any form, they believe!

Is it happily ever after for companies that go the `zone' way? Any worries?

Tax always haunts, be it holiday, retirement or otherwise. Take care!

Yeh cheez kahan ka? Where did we import the SEZ idea from?

We borrowed the idea from China, but it appears to have got distorted while transporting. Right now it is desi, with all its ills.

We have an SEZ for almost everything, from jewels to software... What is still left out?

Hmm... we may have to call it A2Z Zone.

Does SEZ have all the features of a bubble... heading for a seizure?

Not a bubble, I'd say, because a bubble leaves no significant residue after it bursts. Bulb may be a better analogy. For, when it fuses, it leaves a lot of junk.

If SEZ ceases, what will be an alternative? STP?

It will be a sea of buildings and infrastructure spotted in the lush greens of back-to-farming business.

Do they buy the land and then call it SEZ or is it the opposite?

Opportunity-wise, land evokes SEZ thinking. Approval (un)wise, SEZ first and land later. But commercially, without zone there is no special economics.

Psst... how ezee is it to get into an SEZ?

Hey, hop on into the bandwagon!

BasicBaatein@gmail.com

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