Joint Study and Survey of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Cross Border Economic Zones (CBEZs) to match Complementary SEZs and Identify Prioritized Areas

This study presents a review of the available literature on SEZs in the region and CBEZs globally and an update of their current status across six countries. It outlines potential advantages and challenges related to cross border economic cooperation, current status of infrastructure, investment, and logistics, and a rapid capacity needs assessment based on secondary data and primary data collected through field visits and interviews held between July and September 2018. Seven border crossings, five SEZs, nine key informant interviews, and six focus group discussions with a total of 167 respondents from the public and private sector informed the study. It finds a mixed record of success with SEZs and challenges faced realising the potentially dynamic effects and spill-overs into host economies across the region.