For the last several decades, Nepal's special economic zone (SEZ) program has intended to promote export-oriented manufacturing to help the country graduate to middle-income status.... Thus, in 2016, the DfID-supported Economic Policy Incubator (EPI) contracted Locus Economica to advise on the Nepal's SEZ program....

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 ...

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 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. 

In 2013, Locus undertook two on-site assignments helping the government of Iraq develop its special economic zone (SEZ) program. Our work was part of the OECD-MENA Investment Program....

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.

One of the most common reasons for the failure of a special economic zone (SEZ) is poor location. For that reason, Locus Economica, in partnership with Kaiser Associates, undertook an assignment for the Botswana Ministry of Trade and Industry to identify the areas of the country with the greatest potential for success if designated as an SEZ....

In 2011 Locus Economica was contracted through Deloitte and USAID to assist the government of Uganda by assessing the feasibility of a public-private infrastructure fund and bonds program. It also assessed Uganda's legal and regulatory environment to determine the viability of foreign and domestic investment and advised on the possibilities for SEZ development.

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.  ...

Ever since the formation of a new government in Afghanistan, the country has attempted to diversify its economy by stimulating economic growth in industrial sectors. From 2010-2011, USAID utilized Jean-Paul Gauthier to advance that objective. ..

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, the Kenya government designated a 1,000 acre site along the Athi River as an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) designed to attract information and communications technology (ICT) firms. The following year, Locus founder and CEO Jean Paul Gauthier began working with the government on the new zone's...

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. ...

Jean-Paul Gauthier helped evaluate a special economic zones (SEZ) strategy for South Sudan in 2006 while serving as a Senior Technical Advisor and SEZ point person for the World Bank. South Sudan had recently...

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 ...

In 2004, Jean-Paul Gauthier served the Kurdistan Investment Board as it sought to develop a Sulaymaniyah Secured Commercial Area. Jean-Paul served as Legal Component Lead and helped create a development strategy for the area, under a contract between Deloitte and the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in Iraq, as well as the Kurdistan Regional Government....