In which one of the following places was Asia's first Export Processing Zone (EPZ) set up ?

Asia's first Export Processing Zone (EPZ) was established in Kandla, Gujarat, in 1965 [t1][t3]. India was a pioneer in Asia to recognize the effectiveness of the EPZ model for export promotion, aiming to utilize the Kandla port and develop the Kutch region [t5][t8]. Following the success of the Kandla Free Trade Zone, the second EPZ, the Santa Cruz Electronics Export Processing Zone (SEEPZ), was set up in Mumbai in 1973-74 [t8][t10]. Over time, several other zones were established in locations such as Cochin, Surat, and Noida [c1][c2]. Under the Special Economic Zones Policy of 2000, these existing EPZs, including the historic Kandla zone, were converted into Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to streamline clearances and attract foreign investment [t3][t6][t9].

Sources

1. [1] https://pib.gov.in/newsite/erelcontent.aspx?relid=51797
2. [2] https://invest.up.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/3-Special-Economic-Zones_090625.pdf
3. [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_special_economic_zones_in_India
4. [4] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Export Processing Zones (EPZ) > p. 50
5. [5] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 11: Industries > Special Economic Zones of India > p. 85
6. [6] https://www.ilo.org/media/353061/download