Contributing to Studies on Special Economic Zones

The effectiveness of SEZs as drivers of economic growth and positive structural change depends on the tireless efforts of scholars and practitioners to evaluate zone performance and formulate new ideas. In partnership with WEPZA, Locus helps advance these efforts by contributing to reports and studies on zones. We provide qualitative and quantitative research, case studies, and lessons from experience, helping authors extrapolate theories and principles that guide the future development of zones.

REPRESENTATIVE PROJECT Experience

Featured

Locus Contributes Insights on Agro-focused SEZs for the UN FAO

Locus Economica had the privilege of advising on the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's Territorial Tools for Agro-Industry Development: A Source Book, released in 2017. ... The Sourcebook is a handy resource on tools for promoting the agriculture industry...

Fending off the Resource Curse through Special Economic Zones

Economic diversity is a crucial goal for countries blessed (or cursed?) with large reserves of natural resources, such as petroleum. ... One tool countries have used to fight resource dependency is special economic zones (SEZs). For example, we have helped countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar channel state-owned oil revenues into SEZs that encourage high-tech manufacturing, ICT, clean energy industries, and other diversified sectors. In 2013 we shared some of this experience with the OECD ...

Advising the World Bank's Investing Across Borders Initiative

Since 2001, Locus Founder & CEO Jean-Paul Gauthier has assisted the World Bank's Investing Across Borders (IAB) initiative. ... Jean-Paul serves as a member of IAB's Consultative Group, where he comments on the content of Doing Business Reports and...

Understanding Service-Industry-Oriented Special Economic Zones

In June 2011, the World Bank commissioned Locus Founder and CEO Jean-Paul Gauthier to research and develop a paper on SEZs oriented toward service-sector industries.

Designing a Special Economic Zone Policy with Upstream Industries in Mind

Locus Economica assisted the World Bank on this paper on the upstream inputs to SEZs by advising on SEZ strategy and operations, offering project management experience, and consulting on economic and sector development.

Giving Special Economic Zone Professionals the Tools They Need

Without knowledgeable and motivated personnel, SEZ agencies and developers cannot do their jobs well. That is why the International Finance Corporation (IFC) had Jean-Paul Gauthier contribute ...

Launching Special Economic Zones to Promote Growth and Stability in Conflict Areas

In 2009, Locus Founder and CEO Jean-Paul Gauthier was contracted by the International Finance Corporation (World Bank) to co-author a Practitioner's Guide for SEZs in Conflict-Affected Countries....

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. ...