Free Economic Zones Research Articles

Dynamics assessment of free economic zones development in Russia in the system of the state investment strategy

Dynamics assessment of free economic zones development in Russia in the system of the state investment strategy

Risks in the formation of special economic zones of Russia

Subject. This article discusses the problems of development of innovative projects as a complex system, which includes various structural elements, namely from administrative to the fiscal ones. Objectives. The article aims to analyze the opportunities to create special economic zones in the Russian Federation. Methods. For the study, we used a statistical analysis. Results. The article finds that creating free economic zones contributes to the development of the Russian economy, still at the same time, the State accepts certain risks as a participant in the national project to create free economic zones. Conclusions. The international sanctions effect is the main negative factor that bars unique products within special economic zones.

Legal Regulation of Relations in the Financial Sphere in Free (Special) Economic Zones of Friendly Countries in the Conditions of Digitalization (on the Example of China, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, UAE)

Legal Regulation of Relations in the Financial Sphere in Free (Special) Economic Zones of Friendly Countries in the Conditions of Digitalization (on the Example of China, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, UAE)

Transformation of theoretical approaches to enhancing the effectiveness of preferential policies

The article presents the results of many years of research by the authors on the evolution of theoretical and methodological approaches to substantiate the prerequisites and conditions for the creation of preferential regimes in various countries and regions. Based on a generalization of a large array of information sources, it was concluded that the applied forms of these regimes (free and special economic zones, free ports, territories of rapid socio-economic development, etc.) are components of regional systems in which special conditions for the functioning of entrepreneurial enterprises are legally established. structures to achieve strategic goals of economic growth. The above study notes the negative experience of creating free economic zones in the Russian Federation in the 90s of the last century due to organizational and economic omissions in the ongoing state policy, with an emphasis on the need for a more informed approach to managing the effectiveness of the implementation of such national projects in the current conditions of stagnation of the Russian economy. Paying special attention to the specifics of the stages of development of preferential regimes, the authors of the article propose a systematization of numerous factors influencing their effectiveness based on the characteristics of spatial localization, level of management, and degree of distribution. The theoretical and practical significance is represented by the author's approach to the formation of a system for managing the effectiveness of preferential regimes, starting with its main component — setting goals for their creation, consistent with the strategic goals of the development of regions and the country. Recognizing the existing imperfection of the holistic system for assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of preferential regimes that are in the process of formation in Russia, the authors emphasize the timeliness and importance of developing appropriate methodological tools, especially taking into account modern external challenges.

Development of Belarusian free economic zones: integration into the national economy and EAEU

Development of Belarusian free economic zones: integration into the national economy and EAEU

Synthetic Classification of Provinces and Cities in Vietnam as a Guide for Regional Policy

Vietnam is a country with a relatively high level of regional inequality. The General Statistics Office of Vietnam groups the provinces based on their geographic location. This article presents the classification of the provinces and cities of Vietnam based not only on geography, but also on their socio-economic characteristics, economic structure, and the membership in free economic zones (FEZs). The analysis identifies four groups of provinces and cities: i) highly developed (FEZ members with high GRP per capita and a developed technological industry) ii) developed (FEZ members with high untapped economic growth potential and a highly diversified economic base), iii) moderately developed (with a vast primary sector and high potential for the development of the tourism sector) and iv) less developed (the poorest regions). The article highlights individual provinces, the level of socio-economic development of which (ceteris paribus) will allow them to transfer towards the group of more developed provinces in the near future. In order to reduce inequality in other provinces, we propose to use approaches, which have been successfully implemented in highly developed and developed regions, such as incentives for foreign investors or tax preferences for the development of significant industries in individual provinces.

Comparative analysis of the economic effects of special economic zones in China and Korea: evidence from a PSM difference-in-difference method

ABSTRACT This paper examines the economic effects of the establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) on the export of industrial complexes in China and Korea, focusing on the synergistic economic effects between different types of SEZs, using the Propensity Score Matching difference-in-difference method. We use panel data of 284 Chinese cities and 162 Korean cities between 2000 and 2019, focusing on 93 industrial complexes in China, and 569 industrial complexes in Korea. We compare the effects of Free Trade Zones (FTZs) with other special economic zones, including Bonded Areas (BA) in China and Free Economic Zones (FEZ) and Foreign Investment Regions (FIZ) in Korea. The establishment of SEZs has a significant positive impact on the export growth of industrial complexes in both China and Korea. In Korea, a significant synergy effect on export is found between the FTZ and the FIZs. There is no synergy effect found between FEZs and other economic zones. After the implementation of the FTZ policy in China, the export of BA’s industrial complexes with ports and airports significantly increased, indicating that the FTZs have a positive synergy effect on the BAs with convenient transportation.

Создание нового порта: фактор влияния на развитие транспортной логистики региона

The process of formation, construction and development of a new international port on a section of the river bank received from another country, which has direct access to the sea, is considered. The analysis of the advantageous location and favorable conditions for the creation of the port, including the conditions for entry into the port of sea and river vessels, the availability and accessibility of road, rail and air transport, is carried out. The created structure of the port is illustrated, as well as brief characteristics, capabilities and features of various port terminals for cargo transshipment and passenger transportation are considered. The organizational and technological experience in creating a logistics hub in the region was studied, taking into account the needs of producers, recipients and the characteristics of transport carriers, including the features of asset management. The analysis of indicators of the volume of transshipment of various cargoes was carried out, the main directions of the port's development in the near future were determined. In the process of studying the experience of creating port infrastructure, the created conditions for business development and investment attraction, the peculiarities of the tax and customs regime, as well as the distinctive features of the port's free economic zone from other similar territories are considered. Calculations of the availability of human resources in the port area and their attractiveness for transport companies are given. The process of development of the merchant fleet of the Republic of Moldova is analyzed, and the role of port infrastructure and transport logistics in the development of maritime activities of the state and the region as a whole is shown. A comparative analysis of the development of similar ports in the region was carried out according to the main indicators. Conclusions are drawn about the impact of the intensity of development of ports and transport logistics in the region on strengthening the state’s maritime potential, its infrastructure and trade.

Using Folsomia candida (Collembola) for the ecological assessment of sediment samples from three rivers from the QwaQwa region, South Africa

AbstractSince the establishment of a free economic zone and a simultaneous increase in the population of the QwaQwa region, aquatic systems of the area were expected to undergo an increase in metal contamination. The aims of this study were to assess the quality of sediments from the Metsi-Matsho, Namahadi and Elands Rivers of the QwaQwa region, and to investigate their impact on the survival and reproduction of the collembolan Folsomia candida. Due to the lack of freshwater sediment quality guidelines in South Africa, metal contents of the sediments were analysed and critically interpreted using the national action list for the screening of dredged sediment proposed for marine disposal, and international sediment quality guidelines (SQGs). In the laboratory, F. candida was exposed to 0, 50, 75 and 100% of the sediment samples for 28 days at 20 °C. Sediments were variably contaminated with Cr, with the Namahadi River middle site having the highest concentration (569 mg.kg−1, dry weight) followed by the lower site on the Elands River (529 mg.kg−1, dry weight), both above the recommended prohibition level of 500 mg Cr.kg−1. According to the consensus-based SQGs, only the concentrations of Cr and Ni (upper reach of Metsi-Matsho River) were higher than probable effect concentration, denoting that harmful effects of those metals are likely to occur. Of the two endpoints assessed, reproduction was the most sensitive with the upper reach of the Metsi-Matsho River (half maximal effective concentration, EC50 = 24% sediment) being the most deleterious site to the reproduction of F. candida. Ecotoxicological bioassays using F. candida could be suitable complements to chemical analysis in the assessment of the ecological risks of freshwater sediments as this collembolan species is sensitive to sediments with variable ranges of metal contamination.

Cluster Model for Establishing Special Economic Zones in Ukraine under Modern Conditions (Global Experience)

Object: Clusters are a relatively new form of organization, risk and profit sharing, and competitiveness enhance ment for both the global and Ukrainian economies. The potential of the cluster development model is significant, and, most importantly, it has been justified in developed countries worldwide. In particular, global practice confirms that the functioning of the most prosperous economies is supported by advantages in modern production technologies and man agement. Therefore, successful development of any level is possible through the comprehensive application of modern strategic management concepts. Thus, the object of the study is to reveal and substantiate the effectiveness of cluster model in establishing special economic zones in Ukraine. Methods: The paper uses general scientific and special methods, that are: the dialectical method of understanding cluster model for establishing special economic zones; comparative analysis methods; methods of empirical research, methods of statistical and structural analysis; methods of historical and logical analysis; identifying individual parts of an object, methods of system approach, identifying cause-and-effect relationships. Findings: Custers are established on the base of a unique internal environment and infrastructure specific to a par ticular region. This allows leveraging the competitive advantages of enterprises in a specific area through integration. A cluster serves as a stimulus for economic development, and regionalism forms the basis for its sustainable growth. Re gionalism is of great significance in selecting priority investment areas, as it can influence the level of uncertainty risk during the assessment of regional investment projects. Its effectiveness is confirmed by cluster development of the child nutrition project presented in the paper (Ivano-Frankivsk region, Ukraine). Conclusions: Cluster approach makes it possible to use available resources more efficiently. The cluster approach is connected with the policy of capacity-building as well as increasing competition profitability of national economies. There are also some cluster formations on the territory of Ukraine. Сluster is a convenient form of organizing a free economic zone. At the same time, each government develops its own approaches to the creation of clusters and regula tion of their activities, accordingly, organizes the activities of those responsible for the implementation of the national strategy of sustainable competitive development.

The development of the North–South International Multimodal Transport Corridor and the measures to integrate the regional transport infrastructure

The problems of the North–South Transport Corridor development are directly interrelated with the integration of the regional infrastructure of the countries participating in this project. The importance of this corridor currently affects not only the economic sphere, but also the geopolitics of the world community as a whole, as the power balancing issues in the world economy are engaged. Based on the results of the statistical data study from open sources, the analysis of extensive periodical literature, the pros and cons of the North–South Multimodal Transport Corridor (MTC) project are substantiated, and the promising ways of implementing and improving its effectiveness are identified. Political pressure on a number of participating countries and an asymmetry of interests are highlighted as factors that hinder the active implementation of the project (the most interested participants are Iran and Russia, other parties may have negative geopolitical and economic consequences from participating in the project). There are major challenges concerning the infrastructure development and the insufficient degree of harmonization of the institutional conditions within which the transport corridor operates. On the other hand, the greatest advantages of the North–South Transport Corridor are reducing dependence on other transport routes, including those passing through competitive countries, increasing national security and sovereignty of Russia, consolidating Eurasian integration, improving foreign policy links with the countries in Asia and Africa. In order to maximize the potential of the North–South MTC and increase its competitiveness in comparison with other transport hubs, the following ways are proposed: 1. One-time solution to a set of tasks: modernization of infrastructure, primarily, port infrastructure in Russia, railway infrastructure in Iran; full digitalization of the transport and logistics sphere in all the participating countries; harmonization of institutional conditions for the project implementation in the domain of legislation, customs procedures, business processes, management. 2. More active use of free economic zones and special economic zones. 3. Formation of a special supranational organizational structure that will directly deal with the development of the North– South International Transport Corridor.

PROSPECTS FOR RUSSIAN-IRANIAN ENERGY COOPERATION

Due to the withdrawal of the United States under Republican President D. Trump in 2018 from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to resolve the Iranian nuclear crisis, non-Western vector of foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) (China, India, Russia, Turkey and other states) has strengthened. It became particularly apparent with the coming to power of a conservative president close to the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ebrahim (Ibrahim) Raisi. Seeking to escape the foreign policy isolation and financial and economic sanctions pressure created by the United States and its allies, Tehran is increasingly participating in the activities of major international entities such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (Iran became a full member of the Organization on July 4, 2023), the Eurasian Economic Union (Interim Free Trade Agreement is in force) and BRICS (a member of the organization since January 1, 2024).Thus, Iran declares itself as a successfully developing regional center of power. The article pays special attention to the development of energy (with Russia, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan), transport and logistics projects (with Azerbaijan, a railway through Iran to Nakhichevan) with neighboring countries. Under President Raisi new gas and oil fields were discovered. In the future they will ensure greater production and exports. With Russia, Iran in the medium term plans to realize swap gas supplies to Iran through the territory of Turkmenistan, as well as to create a gas hub on the coast of Makran to export its own and Russian energy carriers to the countries of South and Southeast Asia. The government of I. Raisi pays special attention to the development of the Macran Free Economic Zone (FEZ) and the FEZ of Kish Island. At the same time, this is a significant territory not only in geo-economic, transportation and logistics, but also in military terms: the seaports of Chahbehar and Jask are geostrategic at the crossroads of energy communications of the Middle East and South (and further Southeast) Asia.

APPROACHES TO ENHANCING REGIONAL ECONOMIES VIA INVESTMENT ATTRACTION THROUGH FREE ECONOMIC ZONES

This paper delves into the pivotal role of free economic zones (FEZ) in Uzbekistan, focusing on their potential to magnetize investment projects. It assesses the critical elements for successfully embedding FEZs within the regional economic framework, pinpointing prevalent challenges and hurdles. Emphasizing the need for robust legislative frameworks, the creation of a conducive investment climate, and the provision of essential infrastructure, the paper explores various investment project types and the dynamic roles of participants in the investment landscape. The goal is to elucidate strategies that can augment the efficacy of FEZs in bolstering investments and propelling regional economic progress in Uzbekistan.

About Free economic zones

The article explores the concept of a free economic zone. It is determined that the concept of a free economic zone is not formally updated, but in a collective understanding it is actively used by many specialists in practical circulation. The authors give arguments about the functioning of a free economic zone in Russia and analyze the general position of such zones in the world. The experience and practice of the functioning of free economic zones in the country are diligently monitored, but the main monitoring is concentrated at the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia, whose reports provide positive indicators. The article discusses a cross–section of reporting data reflecting only the functionality of territorial development zones, territories of advanced socio–economic development, special economic zones. Based on a sample of reporting data and discussion of the opinions of various experts, the authors present possible variations of the expansion of the types of free economic zones. In particular, it is proposed to consider options related to meeting the needs of socially low7income citizens, pensioners and other categories of persons in need of assistance and support from the state and society. Thus, it is essential to update the concept of «free economic zone» at the legislative level and to form a unified legal message of the types of such zones.

Russian Joint-Stock Companies and Trading Houses in Manchuria From the Late 19th to the Early 20th Century

Russian trading firms had already been operating in southeastern China by the second half of the nineteenth century. The Russian government’s development policy for the Far East, which was strongly advocated by the then minister of finance Sergei Witte, prompted construction of the Siberian railway line, one trunk of which was the Chinese Eastern Railway (KVZD). This railroad was then instrumental in forming a free economic zone in Manchuria where Russia’s new economic model that supported entrepreneurship could be tested. However, the activities of the Russian colony in Manchuria were confined to the right of way of the KVZD and to certain cities of little commercial interest. As a result, the companies established to extract minerals and develop industry and trade remained relatively small in both their capitalization and financial results. However, economic development of this territory continued despite Russia’s defeat in the Russo-Japanese war and stopped only after the First World War began. The final blow came when Russian businessmen were forced to liquidate their businesses. The trading houses and companies owned by Russian entrepreneurs gradually became property of Chinese, Japanese and European owners. This article gives an account of the operations of Russian joint-stock companies and trading houses established in Manchuria at the end of the nineteenth century through the beginning of the twentieth and indicates the role those firms played in the development of the region. The research analyzed archival sources from the Russian State Historical Archive (RSHA) and statistical reference works along with preRevolutionary and modern scholarly literature.

ОСОБЛИВОСТІ ІННОВАЦІЙНОГО РОЗВИТКУ БІЗНЕС-СТРУКТУР В УМОВАХ НЕВИЗНАЧЕНОСТІ

The article is devoted to definition of features of development of innovative activity of structures of Ukrainian business in conditions of uncertainty and working out of ways of acceleration of innovative development. Relevance of the conducted research stems from the increasing role of innovation in the recovery of the economy which is located in conditions of instability and unpredictability. The purpose of the article is to develop ways of innovative development of business structures operating in conditions of uncertainty in Ukraine. In order to achieve the mentioned purpose in the course of the research the concept of "innovations", factors which promote or hinder their implementation, and peculiarities of innovative development of business structures in Ukraine in modern conditions were determined. Based on the results of the analysis of innovation activities of business structures in Ukraine identified problems that hinder development, and developed ways to solve them. In the course of the study general scientific methods were used: analysis, synthesis, induction, analogy and deduction. The article for the first time shows practical solutions to problems that slow down the development of business structures that use innovative technologies. Based on a review of the scientific literature, it is found that innovation is a qualitative change that allows businesses to strengthen their position in a competitive market. In a rapidly changing market, domestic business structures should pay considerable attention to innovation development in order to maintain and strengthen their position. In order to activate innovation in an uncertain environment, a number of challenges need to be addressed, including a shortage of available funding, a shortage of qualified personnel, outdated facilities of enterprises and government laboratories that could conduct experimental research on demand, and inefficient government support. To this end, it is proposed to establish new and develop existing technology parks and free economic zones to attract investment in modernising production, and to change the policy of setting the wage fund for domestic specialists. On the part of the state, it is advisable to build modern laboratories for experimental research commissioned by business, to create legal conditions for the development and implementation of innovations. Practical value of the research consists in possibility to use the received results by business structures of Ukraine and the state bodies in the course of creation of the policy of innovative development.

НАПРАВЛЕНИЯ И ТЕНДЕНЦИИ РАЗВИТИЯ ОЭЗ, СЭЗ, СЗ И ИХ ВЛИЯНИЕ НА ВНЕШНЕЭКОНОМИЧЕСКУЮ ДЕЯТЕЛЬНОСТЬ

The article discusses the directions and trends of development: special, special and free economic zones, with the aim of obtaining new opportunities and benefits from investment for the national economy. Their development, currently, is is even more related to: development of new technologies, improvement of high-tech economic spheres, the production of innovative products, the improvement of the quality of transport infrastructure and the recreational and tourism economy sector. The establishment of specific, special, and free economic zones aims to draw investments, diversify the creative economy, foster export growth, and create new employment while also offering the possibility of economic growth and regional collaboration.
 The directions and trends in the development of special, special, and free economic zones are still significant today as one of the key instruments for economic development within the Eurasian Economic Union and international economic activity of the national economy. Their creation and development provides potential for economic growth, cooperation in the region and is aimed at attracting investment, developing exports and creating new jobs.
 This article's goal is to examine the development patterns of SEZs, SEZs, and SEZs for the growth of the national economy's foreign economic activity. It also draws conclusions from the data collected and suggests potential routes for the development of these zones.

STRATEGY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF FREE ECONOMIC ZONES IN UZBEKISTAN

The essence of this article is that the role, activities, advantages and disadvantages of free economic zones in Uzbekistan today, the changes of free economic zones over the years, the emergence of an understanding of strategic activities and free economy, and free economic zones, which are considered the main factor for the socio-economic development of the country. zones, their attractiveness and evaluation criteria, as well as theoretical bases of their necessity are emphasized. This, in turn, requires the deployment and development of production forces in each region based on its mineral and resource wealth. Especially small business and private entrepreneurship, increase and strengthening of export potential, regional economy stability and the current situation in our country are highlighted.

Formation of the innovative pole of Atyrau region development

Concepts such as growth poles and growth centres used to be interpreted as aggregate concentrations of population, natural resources, industries and services, and geographically as cities and development centres, but are now also referred to as free economic zones and technopoles. Despite the fact that the largest companies in the oilgas industry are located in Atyrau region, the manufacturing industry is not developed. There is a need to identify the growth poles and the formation of organisational and economic forms of their development in increasing the share of innovative production and activities in the oilgas chemical industry in the Atyrau region economy, occupying such unique resources as hydrocarbon raw materials. The formation of clusters in the regions will contribute to attracting investments in priority areas, activation of innovation activity, increasing export potential, making structural changes in the region. A relevant issue is the effectiveness of creating cluster structures in Atyrau region. Kazakhstan can become a real subject on innovative cluster development, offering products both on domestic and foreign markets in the raw materials direction. The prerequisites for the creation of innovation clusters on the study of economic and innovation potential in Atyrau region are considered. This article is devoted to the identification of theoretical and methodological aspects of the formation of growth poles in the development of the region's economy. The main purpose of this study is to substantiate the formation of innovation growth poles in Atyrau region. The authors conducted quantitative and qualitative analysis, assessment of economic, as well as Atyrau region innovation potential, determined the innovation activity of Atyrau region economic entities.

The Free Economic Zone of Manaus Vis-à-Vis the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the evolution of sustainability indicators within the Free Economic Zone of Manaus (Zona Franca de Manaus - ZFM), with a specific focus on workforce engagement in the manufacturing sector. Method/design/approach: Employing descriptive research methods, this research equips both public and private organizations with evaluation tools to assess industrial employment's quality in the context of sustainable development. The study emphasizes the importance of monitoring sustainable development indicators at various geographical levels to facilitate effective corrective strategies. Results and conclusion: The public policies adopted in the ZFM, although generating economic growth, had adverse effects on other social indicators such as quality of life, urban sprawl, and population explosion. These outcomes indicate a misalignment with the Sustainable Development Goals outlined in the 2030 Agenda. Notably, these misalignments are evident in the declining number of manufacturing plant employees, persistent gender-based wage disparities, a rise in workers in lower income brackets, and subsequently, a limited potential for local consumption. Research implications: The ZFM exemplifies the vital role of public policy in driving development. While innovation in the ZFM is still at an early stage, there exists potential for linking economic innovation to improvements in quality of life and sustainable natural resource management. Originality/value: This analysis focuses on sustainability indicators to assess regional development, highlighting the significance of Sustainable Development Goals in evaluating the quality of development and monitoring the outcomes of public policy within the unique context of the ZFM.