Special Economic Zones
Special Economic Zones

Author: Thomas Farole

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 2011-08-01

Total Pages: 347

ISBN-13: 0821387634

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For countries as diverse as China and Mauritius, Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have been a powerful tool to attract foreign investment, promote export-oriented growth, and generate employment; for many others, the results have been less than encouraging. While the benefits and limitations of zones will no doubt continue to be debated, what is clear is that policymakers are increasingly attracted to them as an instrument of trade, investment, industrial, and spatial policy. Since the mid 1980s, the number of newly-established zones has grown rapidly in almost all regions, with dramatic growth in developing countries. In parallel with this growth and in the evolving context of global trade and investment, zones are also undergoing significant change in both their form and function, with traditional export processing zones (EPZs) increasingly giving way to larger and more flexible SEZ models. This new context will bring significant opportunities for developing countries to take advantage of SEZs, but will also raise new challenges to their successful design and implementation. This volume aims to contribute to a better understanding of the role and practice of SEZs in developing countries, in order to better equip policymakers in making effective decisions in planning and implementing SEZ programs. It covers some of the emerging issues and challenges in SEZs – including upgrading, regional integration, WTO compliance, innovation, the environment, and gender issues – with practical case examples from SEZ programs in developing countries.

Export Processing Zones, Development and Working Conditions
Export Processing Zones, Development and Working Conditions

Author: Alessandra Assenza

Publisher: LAP Lambert Academic Publishing

Published: 2010-09

Total Pages: 92

ISBN-13: 9783838399065

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Considered as "engines" for development and trade liberalisation in developing countries, Export Processing Zones (EPZs) have been introduced and massively expanded in the last decades with the aim to increase exports and FDI, while generating employment and upgrading technology. Today there are around 3500 EPZs throughout the world, operating in 130 countries and employing 66 million of people. While analysing the cases of EPZs in China and Mexico, this book proposes an answer to the following question: How an EPZ, built up as a trade policy tool, can be an instrument of sustainable economic and social development? This work therefore provides the reader with a general framework on EPZs and examines several possible solutions to improve their social sustainability. It argues that EPZs reproduce a model similar to the economy of the rest of the country, but potentially easier for government to influence and monitor. Thus, if further inserted in a wider programme of development, zones can represent a driving force towards decent work, social justice and social inclusion.