Ease of doing business is one of the key indexes that will guide world economies in the next decade. FTZs and SEZs have emerged as critical hubs guiding investments, creating jobs, leading innovation and contributing to national economic development. Free zones offer businesses simple setup procedures, affordable rates, and favourable trading location, creating an environment hard to beat.

Over time, FTZs and SEZs have emerged as necessary platforms a country creates to attract investment. Low costs – both for the establishing agency/economy and the businesses/tenants setting up – is a key rationale. 

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, in its 2019 report on Special Economic Zones, say policy makers tends to focus on three dimensions of free zones: 

(i) Strategic focus

(ii) Regulatory framework and governance, and 

(iii) Design of the value proposition or the package of benefits for investors.

“In today’s global business and investment climate, the strategic focus, the regulatory and governance models, and the incentives package offered remain the key ingredients of a successful SEZ policy framework,” it adds.

Today, there are more than 5400 free zones in over 140 countries, employing 90 to 100 million people directly. And at least 500 more free zones are in the pipeline.

Free zones are expected to help ease economic pressures, especially in these times of global slowdown. The FTZs will be in regions that can capitalise on existing initiatives or are in need of greater development. According to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade, United Arab Emirates exports to free zones was US$5.18 billion and imports was US$3.25 Billion in 2016.

Free Zones have also been successful in generating employment, and diversity and volumes exports. Globally, zones employ some 0.21 per cent of the workforce, says Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in its 2018 report. In UAE, zones account for more than 25% of employment.

Asian Zones account for some 85% of total zone workers worldwide, with China alone employing 40 million workers, according to International Labour Organisation (2014).

Read BusinessLive Middle East’s Free Trade Zones & Special Economic Zones Special Report 2019-20

INTRODUCTION: Free-trade Zones & Special Economic Zones

CHAPTER 1: Booming Business of Free Zones

CHAPTER 2: Finding Value in Free Trade Zones

CHAPTER 3: Future of Free Zones 

CHAPTER 4: Challenges Faced by Investors in Free Trade Zones

CHAPTER 5: Special Feature – Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone at a Glance