The Cochin Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) is a multi-product special economic zone located at Kochi, Kerala. It is established in an area of in Kakkanad. It is a multi-product zone, with industrial units operating in Electronics Hardware, Engineering, Gem & Jewellery, IT & ITES, Agro & Food Processing, Textile & garments, Plastic & Rubber etc. Currently it has around 160 units operating employing more than 15,000 people. In FY2011-12, the total exports from the zone stood at 29,961 crore, recording a 63% rise in exports compared to the previous financial year. For the current financial year 2012-13, as on 30 September 2012, the total exports from CSEZ stand at 16,306 crore, ranking it the third among SEZs in the country. CSEZ was originally started as one of the first Export Processing Zone in India, and was later converted into a Special Economic Zone in 2003, when that system was introduced. It is operated by the Government of India, Ministry of Commerce, under the CSEZ Authority, and headed by a Development Commissioner. It is the first integrated industrial park in Kerala. The land area of the existing zone in Kochi has been fully utilized. As part of expansion of CSEZ, a proposal to set up phase II of the Zone in 125 acres of land adjacent to the Infopark in Cherthala has been mooted. Facilities CSEZ offers standard design factory floors, and plots of land for building custom buildings. There is a dedicated building for IT/ITES units, built with private participation. Power distribution, Telephone connectivity, Water supply and sewage processing are managed by the zone authority. There is on site customs facilities for easy processing of import and export. Most of the procedures for starting a unit is handled by the zone authority, except a few regulatory approvals from the government. The Central Board of Excise and Customs have an office dedicated for the units in the CSEZ on the premises, and all the customs procedures for import and export can be done in the unit itself. Consignments are inspected and sealed on premises, and does not require customs processing at the port entry/exit points. The zone operates a 25MVA/110KV electrical substation exclusively for the use within the zone. This is fed from the main grid of the Kerala State Electricity Board. The zone is a licensee of power distribution, and supplies power to the units via the network of underground