Jean-Paul Gauthier

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Rwanda Development Board Highly Recommends Locus Economica's CEO Jean-Paul Gauthier to UNIDO

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Rwanda SEZAR Locus UNIDO Event Dec 2016 -2.jpg

Mr. Naphtal Kazoora, manager of Rwanda's Special Economic Zones Regulatory Authority, this month issued a kind letter of support for Jean-Paul Gauthier's expertise in ongoing UNIDO-supported SEZ development assistance.

Mr. Kazoora's letter to UNIDO reads in part: "I am pleased to confirm that SEZAR would welcome further support to be provided by UNIDO in the form of advice and training to be provided by Dr Jean-Paul Gauthier, Senior Expert on Special Economic Zones (SEZ): Regulatory and Institutional Development Issues ... I would be grateful if UNIDO could proceed to contract Dr Gauthier as soon as possible."

See the full letter here.

Driving Progress in Chile's Zonas Extremas through Free Zones

Chile's far northern and southern regions - the "zonas extremas" - host two strategically important free zones. From October 2016 to March 2017, the World Bank retained Locus Economica to assist the Chilean Ministry of Finance, as well as several regional and local entities, with efforts to improve the free zones programs. ...

Konza Techno City Drives Kenya Closer to a Knowledge-Based Economy

Locus congratulates Kenya's Konza Techno City, which recently signed an agreement with the government of South Korea to establish a public research university valued at US$100 million. The Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (Kaist) will establish the university, helping Kenya achieve its goal of developing information and communication technology industries. Locus founder and CEO Jean-Paul Gauthier provided assistance to Konza City ...

Guiding the Development of Madagascar's Special Economic Zones Program

In 2015, Locus Economica assisted the government of Madagascar as part of a World Bank / International Development Association (IDA) technical assistance program. Our work involved helping develop a legal, regulatory, and institutional framework  for SEZs in Madagascar. These efforts included ...

Diagnosing Peru's Special Economic Zones against International Best Practices

The World Bank requested Locus Economica's assistance to analyze Peru's special economic zones (SEZs) and provide policy options in late 2015. Peru has multiple overlapping zones laws, all designed to promote industrialization in key sectors. Four of the country's seven zones are operational and attract investment through a combination of fiscal incentives and duty free treatment of imports.

We assisted the Peruvian government by ...

Modernizing Kenya's Special Economic Zones Law and Regulations

Under multiple assignments for the World Bank since 2013, Locus Economica has been working closely with the Kenyan Ministry of Industrialisation and Enterprise Development and with Parliament to help facilitate the drafting of a new special economic zones law and implementing regulations.  The law represents a critical departure from...

Ethiopia Special Economic Zone Policy and Legal Framework

Since 2013, Locus Economica has been working under a World Bank contract to assist the government of Ethiopia with the development of its new Industrial Park program.  Specifically, Locus Economica has: Helped draft a new Industrial Park Proclamation ...

Promoting Industrialization in Senegal through the Diamniadio Special Economic Zone

From July to October of 2015, Locus Economica joined forces with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to assist the government of Senegal as it develops its industrial sectors.  We advised the government on the creation of an Integrated Industrial Platform...

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What makes for a successful special economic zone?

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Locus Economica consultants Jean-Paul Gauthier and Harold Godsoe were featured in Global Finance Magazine's great recent article, "Special Economic Zones:  Who Wins, Who Loses?." In the article, Jean-Paul and Harold contributed to an excellent summary of the policies that tend to produce successful zones and the policies that undermine success.  Here is just a quick sketch: ...

Leveraging Lao SEZs to Promote Regional Integration and Attract Investment

The government of Laos has requested that Locus Economica assist it with the development of its new special economic zone program as part of a technical assistance package from the Government of Germany (GIZ). We have been helping identify fundamental market gaps in Laos and evaluating how SEZs can address those gaps.  ...

Assisting the Reform of Pakistan's SEZs and Industrial Estates

In June 2015, Locus Economica was pleased to consult the Pakistan Ministry of Commerce on revisions to its special economic zones (SEZ) program.  Working under contract with the World Bank Jobs and Competitiveness Program, we thoroughly reviewed and provided recommendations on Pakistan's current SEZ policy and institutions, including its SEZ Act and implementing Rules. ...

Harnessing Global Opportunities through Special Economic Zones in Pakistan

In 2015 the Punjab Board of Trade and Investment and the Pakistani Ministry of Commerce reached out to Locus Economica for assistance on revisions to its special economic zones (SEZ) program.  Working in coordination with the World Bank Jobs and Competitiveness Program, we led workshops with Pakistani government officials, consulted with stakeholders on the context and priorities for the zones program, and thoroughly reviewed and gave recommendations on Pakistan's current SEZ policy, laws, institutions, and plans for specific sites. 

Revitalizing Mexico's South through Special Economic Zones

Locus Economica provided technical assistance to the Government of Mexico in 2015 on the development of a special economic zones program.  President Nieto announced the program to combat serious poverty and crime in the southern states of Chiapas, Guerrero, and Oaxaca. The zones are intended to improve conditions in these states by attracting new investment, creating jobs, developing supply chains with the local economy, and improving infrastructure. ...

Stimulating Diversified Economic Growth through Qatar Economic Zones

In 2014, Locus Economica was engaged by Buro Happold, Tanween and Manateq to help advise the government of Qatar on the establishment of three SEZs, each targeting selected industries to help Qatar diversify its economy away from dependence on the oil and gas industries. Qatar Economic Zone (QEZ) 1 will be located ...

Madagascar Diagnostic Trade and Investment Study

In 2014, the World Bank contracted Locus Economica to update certain aspects of its 2003 Diagnostic Trade and Investment Study of Madagascar.  Under this contract, we analyzed potential changes to the country's free zone program and reviewed the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) ...

Stimulating Job Growth and Poverty Reduction through the Maluku Special Economic Zone, DRC

In 2014, Locus Economica advised the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) through the IFC on the feasibility of implementing an SEZ program in its country.  Our assistance consisted of recommendations on the establishment of a secure legal framework for private-sector investment in the DRC. The DRC has sought to establish Kintech, a privately managed SEZ...

Assessing the Feasibility of Kuwait Economic Zones

In 2013 and 2014, the World Bank contracted Locus Economica to peer review feasibility studies being prepared by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill regarding the development of special economic zones in Kuwait. These studies were enhanced and augmented in line with international standards based on Locus Economica's recommendations.