In 2005, Locus Economica Founder and CEO Jean-Paul Gauthier evaluated Russia’s legal framework for hosting SEZs on behalf of the World Bank’s Foreign Investment Advisory Service (FIAS), resulting in various recommendations in this regard. Russia now has 24 operational SEZs, regulated by Federal Law No. 116, passed in 2005. Some 750 companies (including more than 130 foreign companies) have invested $5 billion in projects in the zones and announced another $10 billion worth of investments, so far creating more than 32,000 jobs.