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Special economic zones and transnational zones as tools for Southern Africa's growth: Lessons from international best practices

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  • Roseline T. Karambakuwa
  • Ronney M. Ncwadi
  • Weliswa Matekenya
  • Leward Jeke
  • Syden Mishi

Abstract

The paper evaluates strategies for developing successful special economic zones and transnational zones for Southern African countries to spur growth and employment. Most special economic zones implemented in Southern Africa have largely failed to bring adequate growth and employment due to numerous constraints. Globally, selected countries have successfully implemented export-oriented industries through such spatial industrial policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Roseline T. Karambakuwa & Ronney M. Ncwadi & Weliswa Matekenya & Leward Jeke & Syden Mishi, 2020. "Special economic zones and transnational zones as tools for Southern Africa's growth: Lessons from international best practices," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2020-170, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2020-170
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Arpita Mukherjee & Parthapratim Pal & Saubhik Deb & Subhobrota Ray & Tanu M Goyal, 2016. "Special Economic Zones in India," India Studies in Business and Economics, Springer, number 978-81-322-2806-6, June.
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    3. Zeng,Zhihua, 2015. "Global experiences with special economic zones : focus on China and Africa," Policy Research Working Paper Series 7240, The World Bank.
    4. Yehua Dennis Wei & Xinyue Ye, 2004. "Regional Inequality in China: A Case Study of Zhejiang Province," Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG, vol. 95(1), pages 44-60, February.
    5. Farole, Thomas & Moberg, Lotta, 2014. "It worked in China, so why not in Africa? The political economy challenge of Special Economic Zones," WIDER Working Paper Series 152, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    6. Thomas Farole & Lotta Moberg, 2014. "It Worked in China, so Why not in Africa?: The Political Economy Challenge of Special Economic Zones," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2014-152, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    7. Olga Sinenko & Igor Mayburov, 2017. "Comparative Analysis of the Effectiveness of Special Economic Zones and Their Influence on the Development of Territories," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 7(1), pages 115-122.
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    Cited by:

    1. Neva Makgetla, 2021. "Learning from experience: Special Economic Zones in Southern Africa," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2021-124, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    2. Syden Mishi & Weliswa Matekenya & Leward Jeke & Ronney M. Ncwadi & Roseline T. Karambakuwa, 2021. "Firm and product survival analysis: Evidence from South African tax administrative and products data," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2021-107, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Special Economic Zones; Spatial industrial policy; Growth; Best practice; Sustainability; Southern Africa;
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