- SEZs could be set up on small plots of 10 hectares, or even less
- Services firms were allowed to set up shops in the various SEZs
- Existing firms could shift their old plants to the SEZs and avail of the various sops and incentives
- Labour laws were to be the same as applicable to existing firms in other areas, including the backward ones
- A plethora of SEZ proposals were received by the various states