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.
Opening up Private-Sector Investment in Bangladesh through PPPs
Pre-Feasibility Study for the Kuwait Digital Oasis
Advancing Regional Integration in East Africa through Special Economic Zones
In 2013 Locus helped the East African Community (EAC) develop a region-wide Special Economic Zone (SEZ) policy. ...
Economic and Legal Pre-Feasibility Study for the Kuwait Petroleum Industrial Park
Haiti Special Economic Zones Law Drafting Project
Under several successive assignments throughout 2013, the World Bank and the Ministry of Industry of Haiti, contracted Locus Economica to review existing industrial zones legislation and draft a new SEZ law for the country. Locus Economica also made high-level presentations to various stakeholders in the country while they workshoped and validated the proposed bill. ...
Russia Special Economic Zones Program Review and Loan Preparation
In 2013, the World Bank contracted Locus Economica to assist in evaluating a loan request from the Russian government. Specifically, the firm assessed the potential policy and technical needs of the country’s zones and the budget requirements for addressing those needs through World Bank assistance. The firm visited six Russian special economic zones and met with their management teams to offer guidance and advice as needed.
Macedonia Special Economic Zones Program Review and Training Exercise
2013, Locus Economica was contracted by the World Bank to assess whether Macedonia's Technological Industrial Development Zones (TIDZ) program was compliant with the country’s European Union and World Bank obligations. Our assessment included recommendations for enhancing not only the program's compliance with international commitments but also its legislative competitiveness. We also helped train civil servants responsible for the program under this contract as seen in this picture.
Helping Azerbaijan Avoid Oil Dependence by Improving its SEZ Law
Locus helped review the Azerbaijani special economic zone (SEZ) law under a contract with the World Bank. Azerbaijan's 2009 SEZ law intends to promote ...
Saudi Arabia Special Economic Zones Policy Review
In 2012-2013, the World Bank retained Locus Economica to update 2007 and 2011 assessments of the Kingdom’s various spatial development policies for its Ministry of Finance. Specifically, the firm reviewed existing policies and programs to identifying any policy gaps they might have and to recommending new measures as they move forward. Locus Economica staff traveled to a variety of zones around the country including...
Accelerating Reforms in Myanmar through the Special Economic Zones Law
Myanmar's new SEZ program was launched to advance its economic reforms, which expanded foreign investment, export-oriented production, and job creation. From May-June 2012, Locus Economica assisted these efforts by helping draft a new SEZ law for the government as part of the International Finance Corporation's...
Advising the World Bank's Investing Across Borders Initiative
Understanding Service-Industry-Oriented Special Economic Zones
Addressing Long-Lasting Problems with Senegal's Free Zones
Assessing the Feasibility of SEZs in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Designing a Special Economic Zone Policy with Upstream Industries in Mind
Giving Special Economic Zone Professionals the Tools They Need
Launching Special Economic Zones to Promote Growth and Stability in Conflict Areas
Evaluating the Global Performance of Special Economic Zones
In 2008, Locus Founder and CEO Jean-Paul Gauthier served as overall engagement manager and co-author of "Special Economic Zones: Performance, Lessons Learned, and Implication for Zone Development." The influential and comprehensive report by the the World Bank provides a global review of SEZ experience over the past 30 years. ...
Uncovering the Barriers to Investment in Pakistan
The major problems with an economy aren't always what they seem. A common belief in Pakistan was once that the country's written statutes and regulations weren't the problem, but the government agencies implementing those laws. However, when Locus CEO Jean-Paul Gauthier led the World Bank's "Pakistan Administrative Barriers to Investment Study" from 2003-2007, he demonstrated that this wasn't the complete story. ....