Experience - Independence - Networks - Vision
The authoritative meeting place for the world's free and special economic zones from 2001
Events & news
WFZC events in the past 20 years
Cape Town
charleston
Ras Al Khaimah
Johannesburg
Amsterdam
Geneva
Lodz
Izmir
Dubai
Paris
London
Dublin
Hyderabad
Washington
Shanghai
Brussels
Cairo
Trieste
Bangkok
Kuala Lampur
Gioia Tauro
Skopje
Doha
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At WFZC we monitor the increasing number of Special Economic Zones around the world.
More than 120 countries now have some form of zone development programme. We liaise closely with international organisations whose work impacts upon Zones Speakers and Delegates who have participated in our meetings represent a wide cross-section of organisations from almost all these countries, and from others considering their establishment – Zones and the Authorities who regulate them, Government Ministries, Investment Promotion Agencies, Corporates and Location Specialists as well as Investors, Banks and other Financial Advisers. Since 2001 WFZC has built up an unparalleled network of partners, sponsors and speakers who have contributed to events held.
We liaise closely with international organisations whose work impacts upon Zones their establishment – Zones and the Authorities who regulate them, Government Ministries, Investment Promotion Agencies, Corporates and Location Specialists as well as Investors, Banks and other Financial Advisers.
Our Speakers
Over the past 20 years WFZC has been proud to welcome as guest speakers to its global events the most important players in the Free Zones community.
In addition audiences have been addressed by officials from many of the most important international organisations regulating international trade and finance, in some instances in their headquarter buildings.
Group visits with local support have involved Free, Special Economic and Export Processing Zones, Industrial Parks, Economic Development and Regeneration areas/projects as well as Greenfield sites.
WFZC continues to invite those with vision and experience to share their knowledge and ideas with a wider audience for the benefit of all.
Who do we work with?
official institutions
World Bank
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
European Commission
International Bureau for Fiscal Documentation
Word Trade Organisation
Business Action to Stop Counterfeiting and Piracy (ICC)
World Customs Organisation
ministries, zones & consultants
The dti (South Africa)
Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Economy
Commerce Ministry, India
DHV Group
Loudoun County, Virginia
Port of Charleston
Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone
Shannon Free Trade Zone
Ras Al Khaimah FTZ
Hyderabad Airport FTZ
Zhuhai FTZ, Guangdong, China
Qatar Free Zone Authority
Port Authority of Trieste
Tractus
Deloitte
Ecorys
key topics
- Moving to high value-added technology-oriented production - Industry 4.0: Robotics and A1
- Investment, tax and trade issues affecting foreign direct investment & special economic zones
- Supply chain/blockchain opportunities for Free and Special Economic Zones - practical steps to global reach
- Using technology for target sector Identification of prospects
- Understanding and profiting from the rise of Fintech
- Economic zones, smart cities and new urban environments – cutting edge approaches to sustainable planning, development and implementation including data centres
- Corporate taxation, transfer pricing and FDI incentives
- The role of Free & Special Economic Zones in international logistics networks
- Achieving excellence in investor attraction – the role of business intelligence and incentives
- Free and Special Economic Zones delivering economic growth and societal advance, with special emphasis on public/private partnerships & investment in infrastructure
- Port master planning and Zones