Legal issues in Special Economic Zones

Overview:

Introduction:

Special economic zones (SEZs) are designated geographic areas that offer special economic incentives to businesses that operate within them. These incentives can include tax breaks, relaxed regulations, and access to foreign capital. SEZs are often created by governments to promote economic development and job creation.

Course Objectives:

At the end of this course the participants will be able to: 

• Understand the history and purpose of SEZs
• Identify the key legal issues that arise in SEZs
• Analyze the legal framework for SEZs
• Evaluate the role of government in SEZs
• Assess the rights and responsibilities of businesses operating in SEZs
• Identify the challenges and opportunities of doing business in SEZs

Targeted Audience:

• This course is designed for business professionals who are interested in learning more about the legal issues that arise in SEZs. The course is also appropriate for lawyers, government officials, and anyone else who wants to gain a better understanding of SEZs.

Course Outlines:

Unit 1:

• The Concept and Definitions of SEZs
• SEZs Effective in Driving Private-Sector Development?.
• Why Do Countries Use SEZs as a Policy Tool for Economic Development?
• The Global Good Practices of SEZ Development: Keys of Success

Unit 2: 

• The Relevance and Risks of SEZ Policies in Low-Income Countries
• EPZs are industrial estates aimed primarily at foreign markets
• Comprehensive SEZs (also called “Multi-functional Economic Zones”)
• Industrial Parks (also called “Industrial Zones”)

Unit 3: 

• Specialized Zones include science/technology parks, petrochemical zones, logistics parks and ,airrt-based zones
• A special regulatory regime
• Public services
• Measuring the direct impact of special economic zones.

Unit 4: 

• SEZs are able to attract large numbers of multinational companies and domestic firms
• Getting innovative thinking into the organization.
• Industrial upgrading and technology transfer
• Labor-market outcomes
• Firm-level performance

Unit 5: 

• The history and purpose of SEZs
• The legal framework for SEZs
• The role of government in SEZs
• The rights and responsibilities of businesses operating in SEZs
• The challenges and opportunities of doing business in SEZs
• Studying and analyzing Previous legal cases related to special economic zones.