Industry Secretary Sabyasachi Sen told reporters in Kolkata that the SEZ status was approved at meeting of the state cabinet.

The company had sought SEZ status for making the plant viable since the project would involve import of iron ore from Chile and coal from South Africa or any other African nation, said Sen.

He said that since the plant would depend on import of key raw materials, the company would have to pay various duties.

The state government had stipulated that the company would have to supply its products in the local market since any company enjoying SEZ status had the right to export all its products, subject to a minimum of 30 per cent.

Sen said that the state government would soon forward the cabinet's decision to the Centre.

The West Bengal government would also enter into a pact with the Jindals for setting up an industry park near the plant site at Salboni.