Since 2013, Locus Economica has been working closely with the Kenyan Ministry of Industrialisation and Enterprise Development and members of the Kenyan Parliament on the development of a new special economic zones (SEZ) program. ...
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. ...
Locus Economica Offers Strategic Assistance to Kenyan MPs
Members of Kenya's Parliamentary Departmental Committee on Trade, Finance, and Planning discussed amendments to Kenya's new Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Bill during a retreat in Mombassa last week. Locus Economica Managing Director, Jean-Paul Gauthier was asked to attend on behalf of the World Bank's International Finance Corporation (IFC) to speak on some of the key strengths and potential areas for improvement in the current version of the Bill. ...
Panama-Pacifico SEZ Thriving as a Major Manufacturing Hub
Locus Economica is excited to hear about the progress the Panama-Pacifico Special Economic Zone (SEZ) ha made toward meeting, and even exceeding, its goals. Locus Economica founder Jean-Paul Gauthier was instrumental in advising the government of Panama on the laws and regulations that make the SEZ function ...
New Memberships: International Economic Development Council and WEPZA
A Free Zone for Donetsk? The Importance of the Ukrainian Ceasefire Agreement for SEZs
Can special economic zones (SEZs) effectively reduce conflict and respond to secession efforts Last week, Newsweek reported that Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is pushing for the contested area of Donbass (containing Donetsk and Luhansk) to become a "free economic zone." ...
Dawei SEZ Advancing Reforms in Myanmar through Japan-Myanmar-Thailand Partnership
Last week, the governments of Myanmar, Thailand, and Japan agreed to develop a major special economic zone (SEZ) in the strategic port town of Dawei, Myanmar. The agreement appears to be another major step in Myanmar's efforts over the last few years to liberalize its economy and society and increase investor confidence.
Piloting reforms is one of the most important purposes SEZs serve. ...
Update on Kenya's SEZ Legislation Development
A quick update on the progress the Kenyan government has been making on the regulatory and institutional framework for three new zones: The Kenyan Cabinet has approved the new SEZ bill and policy, which is now under review by the Parliament. We continue to provide strategic assistance to the project as Kenya develops a full legal and regulatory suite. ...
Japan's Quest to Pilot Social and Economic Reforms through Special Economic Zones
As reported by the Economist, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has proposed an interesting new use for special economic zones. Special Economic Zones ("SEZs") have been famously used as pilots for testing proposed economic reforms before they are enacted throughout an entire country. Under to Prime Minister Abe's plan, however, SEZs would be used to test out a broad range of social reforms ...