In this session, Prof. Aradhana Aggarwal, from the Department of International Economics and Management, Copenhagen Business School discussed lessons learned from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), India, and select Central Asian countries. She identified the five stages of implementation of SEZ policy: (i) planning, (ii) strategy-building, (iii) policy design, (iv) implementation strategy, and (v) monitoring and evaluation. SEZs may be developed by the public sector, private sector or in public private partnership and there is evidence of their success irrespective of the ownership. Best practices regarding the tax incentives, infrastructure development, one stop shop, labor laws and environment laws were also discussed. 

Elmer San Pascual, retired government Career Executive Officer of Philippine Economic Zone Authority, shared the Philippine experience in developing SEZs. He underscored the need to (i) choose a location that is easily accessible by international air and international sea transport, (ii) locate one where people and/or workers can be easily sourced from, hired, and given access to, and (iii) consider access to lifestyle conveniences. In operating SEZs, a good law detailing the importance of cooperation between and among national government agencies must be present and local government regulations and its taxing powers must be considered. Incentives and proper management of incentives also play crucial roles in the success of the business operations of enterprises in the SEZs.