Bangladesh

Bepza Economic Zone gets $28M in foreign investment

Eleven companies including M/s Nova Intima have signed agreements with BEPZA to establish industries in BEPZA EZ with an investment of $243.71 million in total, according to a Bepza release. M/s Nova Intima Limited, a Hong Kong-British Virgin Island owned ladies undergarments manufacturing company, will invest $28 million in BEPZA Economic Zone (BEPZA EZ). Read more.

China

Hunan Rolls out Measures to Promote Pilot Free Trade Zone Reform and Innovation

Recently the Hunan Provincial People's Government issued several measures on further promoting reform and innovation of the China (Hunan) Pilot Free Trade Zone. The move aims to advance innovative development of trade and investment, accelerate the construction of opening-up channels, and stimulate the vitality of reform and innovation. Read more.

Iran

Over $1.2b invested in free trade zones in a year

As announced by the secretary of Iran’s Free Zones High Council, 360 trillion rials (about $1.285 billion) of investment has been made in the country’s free trade zones in the past Iranian calendar year 1400 (ended on March 20). He said 2,500 industrial units are currently active in the free zones of the country. Read more.

Israel

Israel advances joint industrial park project with Jordan

The Israeli government decided on Sunday to advance the establishment of a joint industrial park with Jordan located on the border between the two neighbors. The project, named Jordan Gateway which also qualifies the park as a free trade zone, "will allow Israeli and Jordanian entrepreneurs and businesspeople to communicate directly," Israeli Prime Minister said. Read more.

Nigeria

NEPZA hails Buhari’s position on Free Trade Zone

The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) has expressed satisfaction with President Muhammadu Buhari’s move to ensure that the country’s Free Trade Zones (FTZs) operate in line with global standards. Read more.

Uganda

Govt seeks to balance exports, consumption in free zones

Government is in the process of amending the Free Zones Act 2014 to introduce a 50/50 balance between production for export and local consumption. The Act, established under the Uganda Investment Code Act, currently demands that 80 percent of what is produced in free economic zones is exported while 20 percent can be locally consumed. Read more.

United Arab Emirates

Dubai CommerCity and Dubai Culture to support new creative economy

E-commerce free zone Dubai CommerCity and Dubai Culture will work together to stimulate the growth of Dubai’s creative sector and bolster the emirate’s attractiveness as a global hub for the creative economy. Read more.

What are the Special Economic Zones in Africa?

In 1970, the Republic of Mauritius passed its SEZs and EPZ Acts. SEZs were subsequently established in Ghana and Senegal. During the 1990s, several African countries aimed to emulate the economic boom of East Asia. [UNCTAD] There are around 230 SEZs and 200 EEZs spread over Africa. Kenya has 61 special economic zones, the most of any country in the world. Read more.

Opportunities in Indonesia’s Special Economic Zones – Latest Issue of ASEAN Briefing Magazine

The latest issue of ASEAN Briefing Magazine, titled “Opportunities in Indonesia’s Special Economic Zones”, is out now and currently available to subscribers as a complimentary download in the Asia Briefing Publication Store. Read more.

Etihad Credit insurance to support SMEs at two Sharjah free zones

The Etihad Credit Insurance has struck a partnership with Hamriyah Free Zone Authority and Sharjah Airport International Free Zone Authority to support Sharjah exporters and re-exporters reach out to overseas markets and secure their receivables at the same time. Read more.

Hamriyah Free Zone partners with Rafid to set up integrated technical centre

The Hamriyah Free Zone Authority (HFZA) has partnered with Rafid Automotive Solutions to establish an integrated technical centre within the free zone and provide vehicle repair, maintenance, inspection, as well as registration services and roadside assistance. Read more.

Meydan Free Zone enables start ups to bank with ease with their Commercial Bank of Dubai partnership

Meydan Free Zone continues its promise to ease business set ups for entrepreneurs as they partner with Commercial Bank of Dubai. The 100% digital free zone has partnered with one of the leading banks in the UAE to provide banking services to their license holders. Read more.

Over $300 million worth tyre plant planned in Sihanoukville SEZ

A Chinese firm plans to invest over US$300 million to construct a largest tyre plant at Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) in Preah Sihanouk province in 2023. The news was shared by Mr Chen Jiangang, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SSEZ in a meeting with Ith Samheng, Minister of Labour and Vocational Training. Read more.