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 ...

Building Engines for Growth and Competitiveness in China : Experience with Special Economic Zones and Industrial Clusters by Douglas Zhihua Zeng* (The World Bank, 2010)

China's meteoric economic rise over the past three decades is an unprecedented "growth miracle" in human history. Since the Open Door policy and reforms that began in 1978, China's gross domestic product (GDP) has been growing at an average annual rate of more than 9 percent, with its global share increasing from 1 percent in 1980 to almost 6.5 percent in 2008 and its per capita GDP increasing from US$193 to US$3,263.

Special Economic Zones in Africa: Comparing Performance and Learning from Global Experience

The objective of the study is to explore the experience of zone programs, with a particular focus on Sub-Saharan Africa, to understand the factors that contribute to static and dynamic outcomes. It aims to provide input to the question of whether and how zones can make a significant contribution to job creation, diversification, and sustainable growth in African and other low-income countries. ...

Improving the Laws and Institutions Governing Special Economic Zones in Rwanda

Since June 2015, Locus Economica, in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, has been advising the Rwandan Ministry of Trade and Industry on its SEZ policy and development of industrial parks.  We have analyzed Rwanda's current legal framework for its SEZs ...

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...

Zones as Engines of Opportunity for Migrants and Host Communities

Locus Economica is pleased to support the NGO Refugee Cities as a preferred cause this holiday season. Refugee Cities exists to use zones as a response to the migration crisis.  A refugee city would be a special economic zone (SEZ) in which migrants could legally work, start their own businesses, and train in new skills. ...

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...

What makes for a successful special economic zone?

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. ...

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. ...

Harnessing Private Sector Capabilities to Improve the Performance of Lesotho's Industrial Zones

Locus Economica assisted the government of Lesotho with attracting private-sector involvement in the development and management of industrial zones in early 2015.  Working under contract with our partner, Buro Happold, we assessed the economic feasibility of various public-private partnership (PPP) arrangements. ...