Above: Plans for Bangladesh's Kaliakoir Hi-Tech Park by Summit Technopolis
Structuring Zone Institutions and Operations to Position Zones Programs for Success
The strength of a zones program often lies in its institutions – both public and private sector and their cross functioning. Locus Economica helps countries lay a strong institutional and operational foundation by:
- Defining responsibilities and optimizing relationships for zone developers, operators, and promoters;
- Structuring public-private partnership arrangements;
- Studying best practices and developing case studies of zone institutions drawn from similar contexts;
- Designing strategies for involving the private-sector in zone ownership, development, and management;
- Providing guidance on the procurement process;
- Developing the capacity of zones regulators;
- Drafting standard operating procedures and forms for zones developers; and
- Strengthening socio-environmental compliance mechanisms.
Representative Project Experience
Building off our assistance the previous year, Locus Economica returned to Rwanda as part of a United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) mission to implement the reforms recommended in our 2015 Report. This assignment focused on upgrading the capacity of...
In 2016-2017, the World Bank retained Locus Economica to assist the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) and the Hi-Tech Parks Authority (HTPA) with its economic zones (EZs) and hi-tech parks (HTP) programs...
In 2016 Locus advised the Government of Mexico on the development of its new SEZ program in collaboration with Spanish consulting firm IDOM. We provided best practices for SEZs and case studies on the design of the SEZ administrative framework and investment incentives. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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...
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.
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. ...
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 ...
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...
In 2013, Locus Economica was retained by the World Bank to assess the opportunity and potential nature and location of a technology park in Kuwait on behalf its central agency for information technology (CAIT). The firm provided strategic and real-estate market recommendations in this context.
The World Bank again contracted Locus Economica in 2013 to assist with the economic and legal possibilities for the creation of the Kuwait Petroleum Industrial Park. The firm provided guidance concerning SEZ strategy and operations, project management, and economic and sector analysis.
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.
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...
In 2011 Locus Economica consulted South Africa's Centre for Development and Enterprise and the Department of Trade and Industry on South Africa's SEZ Bill and on its Industrial Development Zones (IDZs). Our work focused on...
Locus Economica Director and resident operations specialist, Chuck Heath served as Managing Director of the Jebel Ali Free Zone in Dubai until 2011. He continues to serve clients with the many vital lessons learned during his time there. ...
From 2001-2007, Locus Economica founder and Managing Director Jean-Paul Gauthier was contracted by the World Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC) to advise on utilizing the 2,500-hectare area around the Howard Air Force Base, located across the canal from Panama City. ...
Beginning in 1999, Locus CEO Jean-Paul Gauthier was instrumental in helping the government of Jordan transform the city of Aqaba into a thriving SEZ. With World Bank financing, the Aqaba Regional Authority contracted Jean-Paul's firm ...
In 2009-2010, Locus Economica Founder and CEO Jean-Paul Gauthier led a complete feasibility study on the establishment of an SEZ in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The study included the drafting of legislation for the new SEZ program...
In 2008-2009, Locus Founder and CEO Jean-Paul Gauthier helped the Government of Botswana develop its SEZ program. Jean-Paul helped the Ministry of Trade and Investment develop a draft SEZ Policy Framework, SEZ Law, Project Approach and Critical Path, and Governance and PPP Financing Framework. ...
From 2006 to 2007, Locus Founder and CEO Jean-Paul Gauthier served as Senior Technical Advisor on the World Bank's Bangladesh Investment Climate Facility (BICF). Jean-Paul helped draft a new economic zones law...
Jean-Paul Gauthier was with the World Bank when tasked with helping establish Lebanon's special economic zone (SEZ) program from 2005-2006. Lebanon was concerned with ...
From 2000-2002, the Government of Morocco, with the partnership of USAID and Pricewaterhouse Coopers, commenced a pilot exercise to re-engineer government processes and reform its legal and regulatory environment relating to land access and private industrial park development. Locus founder and CEO, Jean-Paul Gauthier served as Project Manager for the $1.5 million effort. ...