Global Experiences with Special Economic Zones : Focus on China and Africa

This study briefly summarizes the development experiences of special economic zones in China and Africa, the lessons that Africa can learn from China, and the preliminary results of the Chinese investments in special economic zones in Africa. The s...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author:	Zeng, Douglas Zhihua
Format:	Working Paper
Language:	English en_US
Published:	World Bank, Washington, DC 2015
Subjects:	SKILLS EMPLOYMENT REGULATORY FRAMEWORK ECONOMIC GROWTH TECHNOLOGICAL PROGRESS RESOURCE ALLOCATIONS ACCOUNTING URBANIZATION POLICY ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION URBAN SERVICES KNOWLEDGE SHARING AUTONOMY INTEREST LAWS EXPECTATIONS INDUSTRY PROPERTY RIGHTS GROUPS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TIMBER PROGRAMS INFORMATION WATER SUPPLY SERVICES PUBLIC SERVICES POLITICAL ECONOMY HOUSING REVENUES INCENTIVES INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS MODELS FACTORS OF PRODUCTION CONTENT MODELS PROJECTS CITIES PLANNING LEVEL PLAYING FIELD SOCIAL SCIENCES SEED MONEY ECONOMIC ANALYSIS MUNICIPALITIES PLANS KNOWLEDGE FISCAL POLICIES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE BUSINESS PARTNERS OIL TRAINING PARTNERSHIPS INFORMATION SERVICES EXCHANGE RATES PRODUCTIVITY COST OF LIVING OPTIONS EXTERNALITIES BUSINESS SERVICES MARKETS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS LEGISLATION POLLUTION LEARNING RESEARCH BENEFIT ANALYSIS ECONOMIC POLICIES LABOR LOANS ENTERPRISES NATURAL RESOURCES CAPITAL INVESTMENTS ECONOMIC REFORM SUBSIDIES LEGAL FRAMEWORK FINANCE CONSULTING SERVICES EFFICIENCY GRANTS INFRASTRUCTURE LAND USE BANKS RESOURCES LOCAL ADMINISTRATION UNEMPLOYMENT TECHNOLOGY PPPS POTENTIAL INVESTORS EQUITY ECONOMIC IMPACT CLIMATE CHANGE SCIENCE SOCIAL SERVICES ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PARTICIPATION VALUE POLICY MAKERS BANK CPI CAPITAL CITIES KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY ENVIRONMENTS PROPERTY FOREIGN BANKS TAX RATES ENVIRONMENT FOREIGN EXCHANGE URBAN DEVELOPMENT POLICY ECONOMICS EMPIRICAL RESEARCH MEDIA BIDDING GOVERNANCE INSURANCE MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT TAXATION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TRADE LAND SUPPLY CHAINS ECONOMIES OF SCALE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER INVESTMENT RISK COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE POSITIVE EXTERNALITIES CATALYTIC ROLE PARTNERS INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS SECTORS LAW FUNDING LIVING CONDITIONS ECONOMISTS AUTONOMOUS REGIONS ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROFITS ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES GOVERNMENTS PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION PRODUCTION COSTS INNOVATIONS ECONOMIES TECHNICIANS PUBLIC GOODS
Online Access:	http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2015/04/24359180/global-experiences-special-economic-zones-focus-china-africa http://hdl.handle.net/10986/21854

Description
Summary:	This study briefly summarizes the development experiences of special economic zones in China and Africa, the lessons that Africa can learn from China, and the preliminary results of the Chinese investments in special economic zones in Africa. The study makes recommendations on how to unleash the power of special economic zones and industrial zones in Africa through strategically leveraging the Chinese experiences. The success factors of Chinese special economic zones include the strong and long-term commitment of the government, a conducive business environment in the zones, strategic locations, technology upgrading and skills training, and strong linkages with the local economy. However, the Chinese experiences highlight some pitfalls to avoid, such as the “mushroom approach” and high-level overlaps at the later stage, environmental degradation, and the unbalance between industrial development and social dimensions. This calls for a bigger role for the market. Sub-Sahara Africas experience with traditional economic zones has been relatively poor, except in a few countries, such as Mauritius. The key challenges include the poor regulatory and institutional framework, lack of effective strategic planning, weak governance and implementation capacity, and inadequate infrastructure, among others. Since 2006, China has implemented special economic zone projects globally, including in four countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is still too early to conduct a full assessment of these projects; however, the evidence shows that some zones have begun to attract investments and make important contributions to the local economy. The main challenges include access to land, regulatory barriers, resettlement and coordination issues, and lack of external infrastructure.

Global Experiences with Special Economic Zones : Focus on China and Africa

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