"In 2009-10, exports from SEZ are likely to increase by about 15 per cent over the last fiscal...We are confident that exports growth will be there (despite the slowdown)," D K Mittal, Additional Secretary in Commerce Ministry, told reporters in the capital.

He said the shipments were at Rs 1,01,264 crore in the first half of the current fiscal itself. "We have robust growth from the SEZs," Mittal added.

Exports from Reliance Industries' Jamnagar refinery is likely to contribute substantially to the total shipments this fiscal, another official said.

As per the industry experts, gems and jewellery, textiles, engineering and telecommunications SEZs were the major contributers to the exports.

As on September 30 this year, 578 SEZs have got formal approval, 147 'in-principle' approval, and 340 have been notified. Of this, 101 are functional. The total investments in SEZs were at Rs 1,29,985.52 crore till September.