Economic Zone Research Articles

Research on the Decoupling Relationship and Driving Factors of Carbon Emissions in the Construction Industry of the East China Core Economic Zone

This study focuses on the core economic zone of East China, utilizing the decoupling model to investigate the relationship between carbon emissions and economic development in the construction industry. Furthermore, it analyzes the driving factors through the application of the logarithmic mean index method. The findings reveal that, firstly, Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces exhibit higher total carbon emissions in the construction industry. Except for Fujian Province, the other regions exhibit a downward trend after 2019. Secondly, there is considerable spatial variability in carbon emissions in the construction industry within the core economic zone of East China, and it gradually decreases over the study period. While economically developed regions like Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces tend to concentrate and consume more resources and energy, their impact on surrounding neighboring provinces or cities is relatively limited. Thirdly, carbon emissions from the construction industry in the core economic zone of East China show a development trend shifting from weak decoupling to strong decoupling, indicating a healthy growth in the construction industry. Specifically, different regions show different trends. Lastly, regarding influencing factors, the impact direction of carbon intensity on total carbon emissions shows instability. Energy intensity consistently exhibits inhibitory effects, and the economy and the population scale act as driving forces.

Multi-Scale Analysis of Spatial and Temporal Evolution of Carbon Emissions in Yangtze River Economic Belt and Study of Decoupling Effects

An in-depth, longitudinal examination of carbon emissions and decoupling within the Yangtze River Economic Belt, supplemented by a dynamic assessment of its evolutional trajectory, provides a scientifically grounded framework and pragmatic value for the drafting of regional carbon emission mitigation strategies. Using the Yangtze River Economic Belt as a context, this study formulates a carbon emission model spanning provincial, city, and county levels. The model serves to uncover the spatiotemporal characteristics of carbon emissions within the Yangtze River Economic Belt from a multi-scalar vantage point. The Tapio decoupling model is then invoked to examine the extent and nature of decoupling between economic advancement and carbon emissions across these disparate scales. The outcomes divulge the following: (1) At the provincial echelon, the progression of carbon emissions born from energy consumption within the Yangtze River Economic Zone presents an escalating then stabilizing trend line. The carbon emissions growth rate transitions from a swift ascension of 8.44 percent initially, subsequently tapering to a moderate increment of 0.42 percent at the period’s culmination. The trajectory of carbon decoupling at the provincial scale tends to be generally propitious. (2) At the municipal scale, the overall carbon emission level shows a gradual upward trend, and then gradually forms a pattern of centripetal aggregation and peripheral diffusion. The decoupling status during the study period is mainly weak and strong decoupling, with the number of weak decoupling showing a fluctuating change in increasing and then decreasing, while the strong decoupling shows a slow and orderly growth trend, and is mainly distributed in most of the municipalities in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai. (3) At the county scale, centripetal aggregation and peripheral diffusion were already present at the beginning of the study period, followed by the gradual expansion and formation of several carbon emission centers of different sizes. The temporal evolution of county-level decoupling is more significant, with weak and strong decoupling dominating the county-scale decoupling during the study period, especially in the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, but the overall trend shows signs of gradual decoupling.

Special economic zone efficiency factors given Russia's circumstances

Subject. This article discusses the importance of special economic zones in solving problems related to attracting investors, supporting regions of concern, and creating regional growth poles. Objectives. The article aims to consider the impact of economic and geographical location, characteristics of the region of base, the investment policy implementation quality, and the level of tax burden on the efficiency of Russian special economic zones. Methods. For the study, we used the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) technique, and a regression analysis. Results. The article presents the results of the analysis of the effectiveness of budget investments in the infrastructure of various special economic zones in Russia. Conclusions. The quality of the implementation of the regional investment policy has the most significant impact on the success of the development of special economic zones. Improving the methodology for assessing the effectiveness of special economic zones requires the collection and use of information on the results of scientific, technical and innovative activities of residents, taking into account the practices of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China.

Comparative VGP models to analyse the primary productivity in the north Indian ocean and the linkages with rising sea surface temperature

The Primary Productivity of an ecosystem is an indicator of the health of the marine ecosystem and fishing yield. Primary productivity across the continental sea of the North Indian Ocean (NIO) basin was estimated using two vertically generalised production models. We examine the productivity using two non-parametric tests and present the changes using a gridded basin map. In the Behrenfeld and Falkowski (BF) approach, estimated primary productivity shows a significant decline of over 6550 km2 from 2003 to 2020, recorded spatially 100 km2 adjacent to the coastline. However, an area of 825 km2 across the exclusive economic zone of the Indian sub-continent has seen a significant rise in primary productivity. The Kameda and Ishizaka (KI) model limits productivity reduction to 2500 km2 across the NIO basin. The seasonal trends indicate reduced summer productivity across the basin. Both models point towards a significant reduction of productivity observed across the Bay of Bengal (BoB) and Arabian Sea (ARS) coastal regions owing to the damaging effects of anthropogenic-induced global warming. Secondly, simultaneous regression analysis using climate-based indicators and satellite-based NPP and Chlr-a data shows a significant reduction with high magnitude in the levels of NPP across the BoB and ARS between 1997 and 2020 due to rising sea surface temperature and a reduction of 9% and 6% in chlorophyll-a levels, respectively. These results point towards the inverse linkage between the rising SST on the primary productivity of the NIO basin and its devastating impacts on marine fisheries, especially in the BoB. These findings underscore the need for urgent action to mitigate the impacts of climate change and promote sustainable management of marine resources.

Population dynamics and spatial structure of the grey rockcod (Lepidonotothen squamifrons) in the vicinity of Heard Island and the McDonald Islands.

The grey rockcod, Lepidonotothen squamifrons is an important prey species for seals, penguins and Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) in the Southern Ocean. Across the Kerguelen Plateau, the species was fished to commercial extinction (ca. 152 000 tonnes between 1971 and 1978) prior to the declaration of the French Exclusive Economic Zone in 1979 and the Australian Fishing Zone in 1981. In this study we estimate; age, growth, maturity, sex ratio, body condition (weight-at-length), and population density of grey rockcod using data from 19 trawl surveys from 1990 to 2014. There appeared to be three distinct geographical populations, with differences in biological parameters within each population. This study has identified separate metapopulations within the southern region of the Kerguelen Plateau and we recommend that management should take into account the different characteristics of these populations, and that this meta-population structure may be a factor in why this species required several decades to show signs of recovery.

Spatiotemporal differentiation of carbon budget and balance zoning: Insights from the middle reaches of the Yangtze River Urban Agglomeration, China

Urbanization has substantially changed land use and led to local growth and an overall imbalance in carbon emissions. Scientific analysis of carbon emissions from land use (CELU) and exploration of carbon balance zoning can provide useful references for regional low-carbon land use management in urban agglomerations. This study analyzed the spatiotemporal dynamics of CELU based on land use and socioeconomic data, and utilizing the emission coefficient method. The economic contribution coefficient of carbon emissions (ECC) and Ecological Support Coefficient of carbon emissions (ESC) was used as the basis for developing carbon balance zoning, and the main function positioning of counties was used to combine with carbon balance zoning. Subsequently carbon balance partitions with determinants across 190 counties in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River Urban Agglomeration (MRYRUA) was obtained. We found that the net carbon emissions from land use in MRYRUA increased from 1.242 to 4.049 million tons, showing a clear upward trend. Notably, the Gini coefficients of carbon emissions and sinks of the MRYRUA were both higher than 0.4, and the pressure on the regional carbon balance intensified. In addition, based on the carbon balance analysis, MRYRUA was divided into five types: low-carbon economic zones, low-carbon optimization zones, carbon intensity control zones and high-carbon optimization zones. These zones were used to combine with the main function positioning, and finally got 11 types of zoning results. In response, this study proposes different low-carbon land-use optimization strategies based on the carbon budget and comprehensive development characteristics of different zones.

Molecular taxonomy of fish larvae in the Northwestern Arabian gulf: A baseline study from Kuwait's first marine protected area

Sulaibikhat Bay, a shallow embayment dominated by tides and extensive mud flats along the northern coast of Kuwait Bay, serves as a crucial nursery ground for various commercially important species of finfish and shellfish in the Northwestern Arabian Gulf (NWAG). As the location of Kuwait's inaugural marine protected area (MPA), Sulaibikhat Bay plays a vital role in fostering numerous fish and marine invertebrate species of commercial importance in the Arabian/Persian Gulf. Accurate identification of larval specimens from this habitat is essential for understanding their spawning dynamics and recruitment process. However, limitations in taxonomic identification hinder scientific understanding of fish larval recruitment. To address this, our baseline study employed an integrated taxonomic approach, combining conventional morphology with molecular techniques. Fish larvae collected from the MPA and surrounding waters in Spring (2022) were identified up to the genus and species levels using partial gene sequencing of 16 S rRNA and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase (COI) genes. Morphological analysis indicated the prevalence of Sparidae, Sillaginidae, and Dorosomatidae families. Molecular analysis confirmed the presence of these families and identified two species, Crenidens crenidens (Sparidae) and Nematalosa nasus (Dorosomatidae), along with two genera, Diplodus sp. (Sparidae) and Sillago sp. (Sillaginidae), which exhibited maximum similarity to available COI sequences of Diplodus sargus, and Sillago maculata, respectively. This represents the first baseline molecular study on fish larvae from NWAG, laying the groundwork for future in-depth analyses with more larval specimens and spatiotemporal samplings from the entire exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Kuwait in the Arabian/Persian Gulf.

EVALUATION OF SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE RELATED CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN EXPORT AND IMPORT

The world has now evolved into a single global market, making it imperative for companies to excel in international trade. Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have emerged as crucial tools for countries to attract foreign investment, enhance export-oriented growth, and foster employment opportunities. SEZs offer tax benefits and preferential treatments to units operating within their confines. This study seeks to assess the challenges and opportunities related to international trade for SEZ companies. It conducts a survey to gather insights from various stakeholders, including employees, logistics partners, and customs housing agents of SEZ companies, regarding international trade operations within SEZs. A questionnaire is administered to collect opinions on the challenges and opportunities in international trade within SEZs. The gathered data is then analyzed and interpreted to offer valuable suggestions for SEZ companies. While SEZ units are presented with numerous opportunities for achieving rapid and sustainable growth, they also encounter specific challenges and constraints. These challenges may encompass documentation hurdles, stringent customs regulations, coordination with customs departments, and management of logistics and supply chain operations. The objective of the study is to assist companies in managing SEZ-related challenges effectively within the MEPZ (Make in India Economic Zone) while capitalizing on opportunities for balanced and sustainable growth.

Place-based policies and firm performance: Evidence from Special Economic Zones in India

This paper exploits time and geographic variation in the adoption of Special Economic Zones in India to assess the direct effects of the program on firm performance. We combine geocoded firm-level data and geocoded SEZs. Our analysis yields that conditional on controlling for initial selection based on observables, the establishment of new SEZs did not induce any discernible positive effect on the productivity growth of firms in the SEZs. To explain this, we focus on the possibility of distortions through non-profitable activities on the part of managers. We find that firms especially in publicly-owned SEZs decreased their productivity growth, while firms located in privately-owned SEZs experience productivity increases. We also show that directors of firms located inside the publicly-owned zones experienced a significant increase in their salary growth, which is not the case in privately-owned SEZs. Our findings are in line with the idea that the possibility of rent-seeking by managers leads to distortions in program implementation.

Can digital financial inclusion promote the coupling coordination between pollution reduction and low-carbon development? Evidence from China

Pollution reduction and low-carbon development are two specific but intertwined goals of addressing climate change and sustainable development of the United Nations in 2030, and the effective use of digital financial inclusion is imperative for driving technical innovation, upgrading industrial structure, and addressing climate change. Therefore, this paper investigates the impact of digital financial inclusion on the coupling coordination between pollution reduction and low-carbon development using a panel dataset of 30 China's provinces from 2011 to 2020. The results show that the coupling coordination between pollution reduction and low-carbon development in China improves significantly during the sample period. The synergistic effect of different economic zones and provinces varies greatly in space and time. In addition, digital financial inclusion has a promoting effect on the coupling coordination of pollution and carbon emission reduction. A mechanism analysis also reveals that technological innovation, industrial structure and energy consumption are the core transmission channels through which digital financial inclusion influences the synergistic effect of pollution and carbon emission reduction. This suggests that the need of coordinated governance by policymakers is warranted, and digital financial inclusion is an important way to this coordinated governance.

Study on the Spatial Coordinated Development of Guanzhong-Tianshui Economic Region from the Perspective of New Regionalism

Guanzhong -Tianshui Economic Region, being one of the national economic development zones along the “Belt and Road”, holds a crucial geographical position and possesses substantial economic strategic value. Drawing upon the connotation and viewpoint of “new regionalism”, this paper analyzes the current situation and contradictions in the spatial development of the Guan-Tian economic region, and explores its mechanism for spatial coordinated development. In the future spatial development of the Guan-Tian economic region, it is essential to eliminate administrative barriers and establish regional coordination mechanisms. Furthermore, attention should be given to constructing a public participation mechanism in the planning process, promoting the building and sharing of infrastructure to enhance multi-field connectivity, balancing regional development goals, and diversifying regional coordination mechanisms.

An Analytical of the Design Process of Special Economic Zone Governance in Indonesia

Arun Lhoksumawe Special Economic Zone is an economic zone established as one of the economic growth centers of Aceh Province. In the planning, pre-operational, and operational processes, Arun Lhoksumawe Special Economic Zone still faces several significant problems. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative research is to analyze the process of designing the governance of the Special Economic Zone. This analysis process is carried out through observation with secondary data from 2018 to 2019 as research support. The results of this study show that there are weaknesses in asset management that are not proportionally distributed so that collaboration and integration of assets are needed for the optimization of the Arun special economic zone. So, the results of this study can be used as evaluation material to optimize the Arun Lhoksumawe special economic zone. Keyword: Special Economic Zones; Interest Groups; Co-operation; Assets; Arun

Research on the economic agents' green co-evolution of China: Framework, model, and application

Based on the idea of green coordinated development and green co-evolution, the system of green co-evolution composed of government, financial institutions, enterprises, and the public is constructed, using Functional Data Analysis combined with CRITIC weighting, Dagum Gini coefficient and Kernel density estimation to measure the green co-evolution level (GCEL) and the regional disparity based on data of 31 provinces and 992 enterprises from 2010 to 2021, it finds: (1) At the turning point of 2015, the GCEL has been from declining to rising, and the poor performance of enterprises and the public is main factors. (2) The GCEL of regions shows a distinct non-balanced development trend, with the middle- and low-level provinces accounting for the largest proportion. Moreover, the rising of Gini coefficient means that provincial synergy is weaker. (3) Since 2012, the disparity between eight comprehensive economic zones has increased, mainly due to the polarization of the performance of the main players, such as the rising gap in the allocation of government and financial resources. Regional differences have always been dominant, with the largest disparity between Northwest China and the three coastal economic zones. (4) The total distribution tends to converge to lower level, but has no significant convergence. From the perspective of green co-evolution, this paper measures the green co-evolution level, temporal and spatial evolution, and regional disparities, providing a reference for promoting regional green coordination and sustainable development.

Driving Mechanisms of Spatial Differentiation in Ecosystem Service Value in Opencast Coal Mines in Arid Areas: A Case Study in the Zhundong Economic and Technological Development Zone

The valuation of ecosystem services (ESs) is crucial for preserving ecosystems, assessing natural resources, and making decisions regarding compensation. In this study, we employed the InVEST model’s habitat quality (HQ) module to calculate the HQ and degradation levels in the study area using land use/land cover (LULC) data from 2000 to 2020. Our analysis utilized quantitative methods, including spatial correlation, hotspot analysis, and geo-probing, to determine the value of ESs and identify trends. Furthermore, we examined the spatial and temporal variation in the significance of ESs and their driving factors. The results show the following. (1) The primary LULC types in the Zhundong coalfield from 2000 to 2020 are grassland and barren areas. (2) The average value of the HQ index in the study area exhibited a generally decreasing trend. Between 2000 and 2010, HQ significantly declined, particularly in the region’s large barren industrial and mining zones. However, over time, the proportion of sites with minimal degradation improved steadily, resulting in better overall HQ in the study area by 2020. This pertains to the measures put in place by the local government to safeguard and rehabilitate the ecosystem. (3) The spatial distribution of the ecosystem service value (ESV) aligns with changes in HQ and LULC, with significant hotspots primarily observed in forest and grassland areas, nature reserves, and areas around water sources. (4) LULC, temperature, annual precipitation, and elevation are the main drivers of spatial variation in the ESV in the Zhundong area; the spatial variation in the ESV in the Zhundong coalfield is primarily influenced by the interaction between human factors and natural factors, in which LULC plays a dominant role. This study’s findings can guide the development of rational ecological planning, integrating resource conservation mining with effective zoning management.

Organization of the cross-border marketing center: functions, tasks and areas of activity

Organization of the cross-border marketing center: functions, tasks and areas of activity

Special economic zone dynamics and firm performance: Evidence from an emerging economy

AbstractThe empirical literature on Special economic zones (SEZs) has shown that SEZs have become critical policy tools for advancing economic and firm performance, especially in developing economies where financial capital, human capital, technology and technical know‐how to drive these performances are in limited supply. While the importance and effects of SEZs cannot be overemphasised and are well documented, particularly in Asia, SEZs' operationalisation, structure and policy practice appear to vary, especially in Ghana and hence a need to examine SEZ effects on firm performance in Ghana. Thus, following the difference in the structure and practice of SEZs and its limited empirical evidence in African emerging economies, this present study employs analysis of variance, treatment estimation and regression models covering 328 firms between 2018 and 2021 to shed insights on how SEZ dynamics/features affect firm performance (measured with total factor productivity, labour productivity, profitability, revenue generation and value added) in Ghana. Our results suggest firms operating under SEZ dynamics have varying significant effects on firm performance. Thus, while firms registered as SEZ firms and operating in SEZ enclaves and firms registered as SEZ firms and operating outside SEZ enclaves have significant positive effects on the performance indicators of firms, firms that are not registered as SEZ firms and operating outside SEZ enclaves detracted firm performance. Clearly, firms that possess SEZ dynamics/features tend to promote performance of firms as denoted in the empirical literature and theoretical approaches to SEZ. Arguably, the tax holidays, cheaper tariffs and infrastructural benefits derived by SEZ registered firms boost their productivity, revenue and profit performance higher than non‐SEZ registered firms. These results suggest policymakers/government should reduce administrative bottlenecks of registering as SEZ firms and operating in SEZ enclaves to increase the number of SEZ firm operations to induce performance and create room for fiscal revenue.

Seasonal variation in marine bird distribution in the northeast Pacific Ocean

Human activities have profound influences on marine ecosystems. Marine birds are particularly sensitive to these impacts and, given their ease of observation and diverse life histories, often represent good indicators of ecosystem health. Conserving marine birds and their ecosystems requires robust predictions of species distribution to help mitigate human disturbance in areas where large aggregations of diverse species occur. We modelled variation in marine bird species diversity (Shannon-Wiener Index) and taxonomic family level probability of occurrence to map the intensity and extent of highly diverse ‘hotspots’ in Canada’s Pacific Exclusive Economic Zone. To do so, we paired 20 yr of survey data from the North Pacific Pelagic Seabird Database (1997-2017) and remote sensing data describing marine conditions and local geography (sea surface temperature, chlorophyll a, bathymetry, distance to shore, and benthic substrate type). These data were used to illustrate how seasonality within years and the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) across years influenced spatial patterns in diversity. Hotspots were most persistent in Hecate Strait, off the west coast of Vancouver Island, and surrounding the Scott Islands in most seasons. Changes in hotspot locations and intensity were observed across seasons and within season under varying ENSO conditions. Our results provide a template for mapping marine species distribution for the purpose of identifying hotspots of diversity, and thereby facilitate planning to minimize harmful impacts in highly diverse and dynamic systems.

China's Infrastructural Capitalism and Infrastructural Power of Labor: The Making of the Chinese Working Class

This article anticipates a political project that underlines China's infrastructural capitalism and the infrastructural power of labor in the making of the Chinese working class. This project embarks a re‐departure of the left movement after the Jasic struggle, which inspired a rebirth of global Marxism and Maoism that attempts to confront the failure of the first wave of socialist movements and the neoliberal turn of global capitalism. Meeting this historical conjuncture, this project is situated in the legacy of the Chinese Revolution and its firmly held belief in the class struggles of the working masses who fought for a vision of communism since the early 1920s. As part of a global project in preparation for the new wave of emancipatory movements, this project is also located in a global anti‐capitalism movement and attempts to overcome the parochial and nationalistic approach of existing Chinese Marxism. Specifically, the author conceives that Chinese capitalism has entered a new age of monopoly supported not only by new phases of high technology but also, more importantly, by state power in constructing infrastructural bases such as building projects, new economic zones, highways and high‐speed railways, digital platforms, and logistics, both internally and externally, to reproduce expanded capitalism, resulting in fierce imperial battles among global powers. The article conceptualizes this historical process not only as “infrastructural capitalism,” a term that vividly embodies the materiality of expanded capitalism, but also the infrastructural power of labor to take root.

Special economic zones and entrepreneurship: A new path forward for SEZs in Africa?

Special economic zones and entrepreneurship: A new path forward for SEZs in Africa?

Solutions to Complex Well-Testing Challenges Aid Offshore Black Sea Gasfield Development

_ This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 215123, “Frontiering Ultradeep Water Gas Field Development, Offshore Black Sea, Turkey: Solutions to Complex Well-Testing Challenges and Proving Production Potential,” by Coşan Ayan, SPE, Suat Aktepe, and Koscal Cig, Turkish Petroleum, et al. The paper has not been peer reviewed. _ Increasing demand for reliable energy resources has led to an increased exploration activity for untapped hydrocarbon resources in deep water. The recently discovered, fast-tracked Sakarya offshore natural gasfield development is a prime example. This paper describes dynamic reservoir characterization considerations, challenges, and engineering solutions to derisk field-development decisions, confirmed by a well-testing campaign in a complex setting with no tolerance for failure. Sakarya Field The Sakarya field is approximately 170 km north of the Turkish coast in the Black Sea at 2117 m (Fig. 1). The natural gas field was discovered in August 2020 and is estimated to have potential natural gas reserves of 11 Tcf of lean gas, making it the largest gas reserve discovered in the Turkish Exclusive Economic Zone as well as the Black Sea. In October 2020, a second discovery was made in the lower sections of Tuna 1, which increased the potential recoverable reserve estimate to 14.3 Tcf of lean gas. The discovery was found at the deeper part of the well, where an additional 30 m of gas pay was encountered in the sandstone reservoir of the Late Miocene. Further, the drilling of the exploratory well Amasra 1, 40 km north of the Sakarya field, led to the discovery of 4.7 Tcf of gas in June 2021, and increased the potential recoverable cumulative natural gas reserves to 19 Tcf. The first gas production from the Sakarya gas field began in 2023 into the Turkish grid from the completed wells of the first phase of the project. To accelerate the time to first gas production, it was deemed necessary to flow-test the reservoirs to acquire critical reservoir information, assess production potential and completions efficiency, and reduce the number of wells. This was achieved by drilling and testing several appraisal wells with multiple target intervals that will be used later as producers. Well-Completion Strategy Affecting Well-Test Program Formation-failure studies and wireline formation testing data have shown that these weak reservoirs are prone to sand production. As a result, downhole sand-exclusion completions are necessary. Gas permeabilities are good, with core-measured air permeabilities in the range of 1–1000 md. The reservoir pressure varies from 4,200 to 5,800 psi, depending on depth. Reservoir temperatures are relatively low, in the range of 25–60°C. Lower Completion Installation Sequences. After drilling, the main section was completed with 9⅞-in. 62.8-lbm/ft production casing. The selected interval from openhole logs and formation test results was perforated and overbalanced by individual runs of a tubing-conveyed perforation (TCP) system. On the second run, sump packers with direct wrap screens across the interval were installed and gravel was pumped. After the lower completion was in place and the drillstem test (DST) had been conducted, another part of the lower completion across the upper interval was installed and flow-tested. After completing all DST well tests, the well was suspended with the lower completion system in place, ready for installation of the upper completion with intelligent flow-control valves and permanent gauges.