It is more than 50 years since the establishment of the first modern special economic zones (SEZs). Over this time, SEZs have been credited with underpinning the dramatic export-oriented growth of China and other East Asian countries. But their success has been uneven, and they have remained controversial. Yet policy makers appear to be increasingly attracted to economic zones. Since the mid-1980s, the number of newly-established zones has grown rapidly, with dramatic expansion in developing countries. Organized around three broad themes - attracting investment and creating jobs; facilitating dynamic benefits; and ensuring sustainability - this collection of papers and case studies aims to contribute to an improved understanding of the role and practice of SEZs in developing countries in order to better equip policy makers in planning and implementing SEZ programs.
