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Global Experiences of Special Economic Zones with Focus on China and Africa: Policy Insights

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  • Douglas Zhihua Zeng

    (World Bank, 1818 H St., NW, Washington, DC, USA2Tianjin Normal University, 393 West Binshui Ave., Tianjin, China3University of International Business and Economics (UIBE), 10 Huixin, Dongjie, Chaoyang District, 100029, Beijing, China)

Abstract

This paper briefly summarizes the development experiences of special economic zones (SEZs) in China and Africa (especially the Sub-Saharan Africa), the lessons that Africa can learn from China, and the preliminary results of the Chinese investments in SEZs in Africa. The study makes recommendations on how to unleash the power of SEZs and industrial parks in Africa through strategically leveraging the Chinese experiences. While the Chinese experiences with SEZs and industrial parks are generally successful, Africa's experience has been relatively poor. Moving forward, they can greatly benefit from the Chinese experiences, especially the Chinese zones in Africa.

Suggested Citation

  • Douglas Zhihua Zeng, 2016. "Global Experiences of Special Economic Zones with Focus on China and Africa: Policy Insights," Journal of International Commerce, Economics and Policy (JICEP), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 7(03), pages 1-27, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:wsi:jicepx:v:07:y:2016:i:03:n:s1793993316500186
    DOI: 10.1142/S1793993316500186
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Linda Calabrese & Xiaoyang Tang, 2023. "Economic transformation in Africa: What is the role of Chinese firms?," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 35(1), pages 43-64, January.
    4. Susanne Frick & Andrés Rodríguez-Pose, . "Are special economic zones in emerging countries a catalyst for the growth of surrounding areas?," UNCTAD Transnational Corporations Journal, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
    5. Douglas Zhihua Zeng, 2022. "What Determines the Heterogeneous Performance of Special Economic Zones? Evidence from Sub‐Sahara Africa," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 13(4), pages 495-506, September.
    6. World Bank Group, 2017. "Special Economic Zones," World Bank Publications - Reports 29054, The World Bank Group.
    7. Saira Naeem & Abdul Waheed & Muhammad Naeem Khan, 2020. "Drivers and Barriers for Successful Special Economic Zones (SEZs): Case of SEZs under China Pakistan Economic Corridor," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-18, June.
    8. Henglong Zhang & Houlin Song & Conglei Hou, 2023. "How Do Overseas Economic and Trade Cooperation Zones along the Belt and Road Affect the Economic Growth of Host Countries?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-18, February.
    9. Guangwen Meng & Douglas Zhihua Zeng, . "Structural transformation through free trade zones: the case of Shanghai," UNCTAD Transnational Corporations Journal, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
    10. Shi, Buchao & Huang, Liangxiong & Wei, Shengmin & Geng, Xinyue, 2022. "Overseas industrial parks and China's outward foreign direct investment," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    11. Ding Fei, 2024. "China–Africa skills transfer through overseas economic and trade cooperation zones," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 36(1), pages 172-191, January.
    12. Jaroslaw M. Nazarczuk & Marlena Cicha-Nazarczuk, 2021. "What are the Key Location Factors for Firms in Special Economic Zones? Evidence from Poland," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(1), pages 147-160.
    13. Liu, Haiyue & Wang, Cangyu & Zhang, Qin & Wang, Yile, 2024. "The impact of Chinese overseas industrial parks on the productive capability of BRI host countries," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).

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