[PDF] The Rise Of Special Economic Zones In Bangladesh eBook

Author : World Bank Group
Publisher :
Page : pages
File Size : 33,21 MB
Release : 2018
Category :
ISBN :

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The government recognizes that inadequate basic infrastructure and a severe shortage of accessible land discourages greenfield investments and industrial development. Bangladesh has one of the world's most cost competitive, sizeable supply of labor, ideal for labor-intensive production in sectors such as garments, footwear, leather products and toys. However, despite large development success fueled by RMG, microfinance, and remittances, three out of five Bangladeshi workers still find themselves in vulnerable employment. The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority Act of 1980 was aimed to boost industrialization and job creation through the promotion of trade and investment and it has had some success. The Act led to the establishment of the semi-autonomous Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA), which leases serviced land to industrial tenants in eight export processing zones (EPZs) across the country, primarily focused on the garment sector. The Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority Act and the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority Act-both of 2010-created two more agencies like BEPZA and these three agencies have overlapping mandates. The two new acts led to the creation of two new semi-autonomous agencies- the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) and the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority (BHTPA)-tasked to oversee the expansion of economic zones (EZs) and hi-tech parks (HTPs) in the country. Bangladesh's development agenda using special economic zones is affected by internal andexternal challenges that the government will need to address. These include: Legal and regulatory mandates, Governance and technical capacity, Safeguards management and Connections to the national investment climate.

Author : Weltbank
Publisher :
Page : pages
File Size : 24,36 MB
Release : 2018
Category :
ISBN :

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The government recognizes that inadequate basic infrastructure and a severe shortage of accessible land discourages greenfield investments and industrial development.Bangladesh has one of the world's most cost competitive, sizeable supply of labor, ideal for labor-intensive production in sectors such as garments, footwear, leather products and toys. However, despite large development success fueled by RMG, microfinance, and remittances, three out of five Bangladeshi workers still find themselves in vulnerable employment.The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority Act of 1980 was aimed to boost industrialization and job creation through the promotion of trade and investment and it has had some success.The Act led to the establishment of the semi-autonomous Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA), which leases serviced land to industrial tenants in eight export processing zones (EPZs) across the country, primarily focused on the garment sector.The Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority Act and the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority Act--both of 2010--created two more agencies like BEPZA and these three agencies have overlapping mandates. The two new acts led to the creation of two new semi-autonomous agencies-- the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) and the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority (BHTPA)--tasked to oversee the expansion of economic zones (EZs) and hi-tech parks (HTPs) in the country.Bangladesh's development agenda using special economic zones is affected by internal andexternal challenges that the government will need to address.These include: Legal and regulatory mandates, Governance and technical capacity, Safeguards management and Connections to the national investment climate.

Author : Thomas Farole
Publisher : World Bank Publications
Page : 347 pages
File Size : 10,71 MB
Release : 2011-08-01
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 0821387634

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For countries as diverse as China and Mauritius, Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have been a powerful tool to attract foreign investment, promote export-oriented growth, and generate employment; for many others, the results have been less than encouraging. While the benefits and limitations of zones will no doubt continue to be debated, what is clear is that policymakers are increasingly attracted to them as an instrument of trade, investment, industrial, and spatial policy. Since the mid 1980s, the number of newly-established zones has grown rapidly in almost all regions, with dramatic growth in developing countries. In parallel with this growth and in the evolving context of global trade and investment, zones are also undergoing significant change in both their form and function, with traditional export processing zones (EPZs) increasingly giving way to larger and more flexible SEZ models. This new context will bring significant opportunities for developing countries to take advantage of SEZs, but will also raise new challenges to their successful design and implementation. This volume aims to contribute to a better understanding of the role and practice of SEZs in developing countries, in order to better equip policymakers in making effective decisions in planning and implementing SEZ programs. It covers some of the emerging issues and challenges in SEZs – including upgrading, regional integration, WTO compliance, innovation, the environment, and gender issues – with practical case examples from SEZ programs in developing countries.

Author : Thomas Farole
Publisher : World Bank Publications
Page : 328 pages
File Size : 31,6 MB
Release : 2011-01-01
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 0821386395

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"This book, designed for policymakers, academics and researchers, and SEZ program practitioners, provides the first systematic and comprehensive analysis of SEZ programs in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is the result of detailed surveys and case studies conducted during 2009 in ten developing countries, including six in Sub-Saharan Africa. The book provides quantitative evidence of the performance of SEZs, and of the factors which contribute to that performance, highlighting the critical importance not just of the SEZ itself but of the wider national investment climate in which it functions. It also provides a comprehensive guide to the key policy questions that confront governments establishing SEZ programs, including: if and when to launch an SEZ program, what form of SEZ is most appropriate, and how to go about implementing it. Among the most important findings from the study that is stressed in the book is the shift from traditional enclave models of zones to SEZs that are integrated ? with national trade and industrial strategies, with core trade and social infrastructure, with domestic suppliers, and with local labor markets.Although the book focuses primarily on the experience of Sub-Saharan Africa, its lessons will be applicable to developing countries around the world."

Author : Aradhna Aggarwal
Publisher : Taylor & Francis
Page : 343 pages
File Size : 47,9 MB
Release : 2024-03-28
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 1003851428

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Growth‐enhancing structural change—a relocation of labour from low‐ to high‐productivity sectors—is increasingly perceived as inextricably linked with the sustainable development agenda. In the pursuit of structural change, policymakers have pinned their hopes on targeted policy tools such as special economic zones (SEZs). These geographically demarcated spaces designed to attract investment with a wide set of advantages have become de rigueur; however, a systematic evaluation of evidence‐informed policymaking is scarce due to conceptual and practical challenges. This book fills that gap and shows that SEZs are no ‘shortcut’ to economic development; their success in driving economic transformation depends on the complex interplay of sociopolitical, economic and strategic factors. This book contributes to the burgeoning literature on SEZs by providing the first systematic evaluation of the SEZ policy. It adopts the ‘policy cycle approach’ to organise policy evaluation into three hierarchical layers: input evaluation (agenda building), output evaluation (policy designs) and outcome evaluation (immediate effects of SEZs on firms’ behaviour and performance) with special reference to South Asian countries. The strategy is to bring together the findings of microeconomic evaluations to draw macro inferences on the contribution of SEZs to the broader objectives of structural transformation and competitiveness. Part I of the book delves into development challenges facing the region, lays out theoretical foundations underlying the relevance of SEZs in addressing them and examines the relevance of SEZs in the context of South Asia. Part II evaluates the policy first at systemic level to gauge whether and how the policy is rooted in broader development goals and then at the design level to examine the fit between the policy goals and designs. Part III presents a counterfactual evaluation of the impact of SEZs on investment climate; export competitiveness of firms; technology and innovation; and knowledge linkages of SEZ firms with the wider economy. The final chapter concludes by discussing the emerging challenges and the way forward. This will be a useful reference for academics, researchers, policymakers and professionals in international trade and business, public policy, industrial economics and regional integration.

Author : United Nations Publications
Publisher :
Page : 236 pages
File Size : 47,19 MB
Release : 2019-08-16
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 9789211129496

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This report focuses on special economic zones (SEZs) which are widely used across most developing and many developed economies. It explores the place of SEZs in today's global investment landscape and provides guidance for policymakers on how to make SEZs work for sustainable development. It presents international investment trends and prospects at global, regional and national levels, as well as the evolution of international production and global value chains. It analyses the latest developments in new policy measures for investment promotion, facilitation and regulation around the world.

Author : Lotta Moberg
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 225 pages
File Size : 23,8 MB
Release : 2017-03-16
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 1315298937

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Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have become a popular development policy throughout the world over the last half a century. These zones form designated areas where governments offer businesses lower taxes, tariffs, and often lighter regulations. Generally, SEZs aim to attract investments and raise a country’s export and employment rates, but although success stories are often cited, there are numerous failed projects that have instead become burdens for their host countries. This book examines SEZs from a political economy perspective, both to dissect the incentives of governments, zone developers, and exporters, and to uncover both the hidden costs and untapped potential of zone policies. Costs include misallocated resources, the encouragement of rent-seeking, and distraction of policy-makers from more effective reforms. However, the zones also have several unappreciated benefits. They can change the politics of a country, by generating a transition from a system of rent-seeking to one of liberalized open markets. In revealing the hidden promise of SEZs, this book shows how the SEZ model of development can succeed in the future. Applying frameworks from various schools of political economy, this volume places SEZs in the context of their mixed past and promising future. It is essential reading for anyone with an interest in international economics, development economics, and political economy, including practitioners and consultants of SEZ policies.

Author : Amitendu Palit
Publisher : Anthem Press
Page : 216 pages
File Size : 19,87 MB
Release : 2008-07-01
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 1843313499

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Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are turning out to be one of the stiffest challenges for India's economic policy reforms. Since the announcement of SEZ rules on 10 February 2006, these zones have aroused unprecedented controversy. The emotionally charged debate on SEZs has often produced inflexible positions on either side. The unusually strong public reaction has also forced policymakers to revisit several aspects of the policy in recent months. Why are SEZs so controversial? Will they really exacerbate income inequality, endanger food security and worsen regional imbalance? Or will they help Indian industry in taking its final leap onto the global arena? Only time will provide the answers. As the first book on India's SEZs, this volume examines different popular perceptions - both good and bad - surrounding these zones. Apart from the international evidence and the Indian story, the book looks closely at critical issues like financial viability, land requirements, extant rules and the political economy of SEZs. Admitting that the last word on the subject is far from being spoken, the book contends that the SEZ saga will be a test of strength for the country's social and political concensus on its economic policies and future reforms. Introduced by eminent economist Bibek Debroy, this book is a must read.