Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal today inaugurated NEST–02 (New Enterprises & Services Tower – Phase 2) at the Santacruz Electronics Export Processing Zone (SEEPZ) in Mumbai and called on industries to significantly scale up their skilling initiatives to prepare India’s workforce for future needs.
Speaking at the event, the Minister said SEEPZ must mirror the pace of India’s economic growth under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He urged SEEPZ units to intensify training programmes—particularly for specially-abled youth—emphasising that skilling remains central to sustaining India’s growth trajectory.
Shri Goyal stressed that transparency, integrity and accountability continue to be the pillars of the Government’s governance model. He appealed to industry participants to collaborate closely with the administration to ensure SEEPZ operates in a clean and transparent manner, noting that maintaining such standards is a shared responsibility.
Highlighting the importance of fair and efficient resource utilisation, the Minister reiterated that auction-based allocations and transparent processes are essential to prevent misuse of space. He encouraged stakeholders to identify unutilised plots and work with the managing committee to enhance the zone’s export capacity. He also underlined the need for complete transparency in approvals, customs operations, maintenance contracts and other administrative functions.
During the visit, Shri Goyal reviewed ongoing and upcoming infrastructure upgrades at SEEPZ—such as improvements to internal roads, landscaping and overall aesthetics. He said the zone must reflect the aspirations of a modern India and serve as a model for Special Economic Zones nationwide.
The Minister also highlighted the Government’s recent reforms, including the Jan Vishwas Bills, decriminalisation efforts and compliance simplification, all of which are rooted in a trust-based approach between government and industry. He urged unit holders to honour this trust by maintaining ethical and transparent business practices.
Reinforcing the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, Shri Goyal said the Government and industry must jointly strengthen domestic capabilities, promote Swadeshi, uphold global standards and prepare for emerging opportunities. He encouraged companies to adopt advanced systems, embrace future-ready planning and implement world-class processes aligned with the goals of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Concluding his address, the Minister expressed confidence that SEEPZ can develop into a world-class production and export hub, matching the pace and ambition of India’s broader economic transformation. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting innovation, competitiveness and industry-led growth.