New Delhi, Dec 9 (IANS) The 101 special economic zones (SEZs) operational in the country recorded exports worth Rs.90,000 crore in the first six months of the year, Commerce Minister Anand Sharma said in the Rajya Sabha Wednesday.

'The SEZs recorded exports of Rs.100,000 crore last (calendar) year. In the first six months of this year, they recorded exports of Rs.90,000 crore,' Sharma said during question hour in the Rajya Sabha.

'Approval in principle has been accorded for 570 SSEZs and 101 are operational. Physical exports constitute 89 percent of their turnover,' Sharma said. 'SEZs help in attracting investments and new technology.'

Replying to a supplementary on the monitoring of SEZs, Sharma said: 'There is a regular review of their functioning. The development commissioners have to give quarterly reports and there are penal provisions if there are violations of policy.'