Sri City, April 26, 2025 : Sri City had the privilege of hosting a distinguished delegation of senior former bureaucrats, led by Mr. G.K. Pillai, IAS (Retd.), former Union Commerce Secretary and one of the principal architects of India’s SEZ policy. The visit marked a proud occasion, commemorating 20 years since the establishment of SEZs in the country. Dr. Ravindra Sannareddy, Managing Director of Sri City, warmly welcomed the delegation and shared the inspiring story of Sri City’s journey — from its early days as a budding SEZ to its transformation into a fully integrated business hub comprising a Domestic Tariff Zone, Free Trade Warehousing Zone, and an Electronics Manufacturing Cluster. He highlighted its evolution into one of India’s premier investment destinations.
During a special interaction session with industry leaders, Dr. Sannareddy fondly recalled the critical support extended by these visionaries during Sri City’s formative years. “Welcoming the pioneers who laid the foundation for the SEZ framework is both emotional and momentous. Mr. Pillai’s leadership as Commerce Secretary paved the way for the SEZ Act of 2005 and the formulation of rules and procedures, catalyzing the development of over 325 SEZs and transforming India’s export landscape. Their foresight was instrumental to Sri City’s growth. This visit truly feels like a homecoming,” he remarked, encouraging the industry to engage meaningfully with the distinguished guests.
Mr. Pillai, wondered with the transformation of Sri City, called his visit a nostalgic experience. He remarked, “Dr. Sannareddy’s vision turned a remote backward rural area into a world-class business hub. With a very unique consent-based land acquisition model, Sri City blends industry, sustainability, and liveability—truly reflecting what the SEZ policy set out to achieve.”
Mr. Yogendra Garg, IRS, Member, CBIC, echoed the appreciation, highlighting Sri City’s regulatory strength and global appeal. “Sri City is a model SEZ—high on compliance, well-connected, and investor-friendly. It sets a standard for others to follow,” he stated.
Others in the delegation, viz Mr. B. Vijayan, IAS (Retd), former Chief Secretary of Goa and Zonal Development Commissioner, MEPZ; Mr. Bijoy Bihari Mohapatra, IRS (Retd); Mr. L.B. Singhal, ITS (Retd); and Mr. Hitender Mehta, Co-Chair of ASSOCHAM’s SEZ Council also briefly shared their views.
During the interactive Q&A session, participants including Mr. Nishchal Padhya (MD, Siddhartha Logistics), Mr. Milind Mungikar (Director, Zen Linen), Mr. Mohan (CFO, Rockworth), and others raised specific points and sought clarifications. These were comprehensively addressed by Mr. Yogendra Garg, Mr. Pillai, and their team through an open discussion. The participants also expressed appreciation for the foresight of the visiting dignitaries in shaping the SEZ policy and acknowledged their ongoing support and guidance with gratitude.
The delegation explored the bustling industrial hub, observing the vibrant pace of activity. As part of their visit, they toured the IIIT campus, where they interacted with students and faculty, gaining insights into the institute’s academic excellence and industry-aligned curriculum. They were particularly impressed by the collaborative ecosystem between IIIT and surrounding industries, which fosters innovation and real-world learning. Overall, they appreciated Sri City’s seamless integration of infrastructure, sustainability, quality of life, and world-class education.