Export Processing Zones, Special Economic Zones: Do We Really Need to Have More of Them?

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Export processing zones (EPZs) are considered an important economic strategy to boost export promotion, attract foreign direct investments, and create employment opportunities for the domestic workforce. With our more than 40 years of experience in managing ecozones, it is but fitting to know if these ecozones have been successful in facilitating economic development for the Philippines. This Policy Note briefly reviews the performance of EPZs and special economic zones (SEZs) . It also provides some guidance in evaluating ecozone proposals by drawing on the lessons learned from our experience in SEZs and that of other countries to ensure the success of future ecozones.