Locus Economica’s Jean-Paul Gauthier was pleased to participate in the Africa Economic Zones Organization’s Regional Workshop on March 24th 2021 which sought to provide Mozambican & African governments, potential investors and SEZ operators with an opportunity to discuss how SEZs, as drivers of economic growth and industrialization, can be used as a bedrock for sustained job creation; enterprise development; innovation and technology; and skills development, and to consequently enable a guaranteed safe environment for investments.
World Free Zones Organization Barcelona Convention, 2019
Jean-Paul Gauthier of Locus Economica enjoyed delivering an interactive lecture on whether free ports were a potential new post-Brexit investment opportuninty in GB to the 2019 Convention of the Wolrd Free Zones Organization Barcelona.
(From the right) Jean-Paul Gauthier; Mohammed Alzarooni, Pressident of the World Free Zone Organization (WFZO); and a delegate from Afghanistan, whose industrial park and SEZ policies Locus Economica advised on.
FDI Magazine Article: 'What is the future of free zones'
Locus Econmica’s Jean-Paul Gauthier was pleased to write a piece for well-respected FDI Magazine, published on October 15th 2020, on the future of free zones.
Webinar for the World Free Zones Organization, September 2020
On Tuesday 15th September 2020, as part of the World Free Zones Organization’s online ‘NEW WORLD MODEL: PRESENTS THE FUTURE OF INDUSTRY’ event, Locus Economica’s Jean-Paul Gauthier participated in a webinar to help people understand the basics of classic and innovative zone models.
View more images of the webinar here:
Locus Economica Peer-Reviews a Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung SEZ Report
Locus Economica’s Jean-Paul Gauthier was pleased to peer-review and see the publication in September 2019 of Dr Carl Aaron’s report, ‘SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES: A MODEL FOR THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA’, for Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung.
Locus Economica SEZ Panama Pacifico Webinar, June 2020
Locus Economica’s Jean-Paul Gauthier on June 2nd 2020 delivered a webinar entitled ‘Planning a SEZ for Sustainability: Creating Jobs and a Circular Economy’ to employees and partners of the Panama Pacifico Special Economic Area.
Watch the webinar here:
Pro Bono Contribution to Louis Clamaron's Thesis, 2020
Locus Economica’s Jean-Paul Gauthier was delighted to learn of the successful publication of Louis Clamaron of the Lyon Buisiness School’s thesis, THE KYAUKPHYU SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE IMPLEMENTATION WITHIN THE BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE, on 20th July 2020 to which he gave pro bono advice.
Locus Economica Advisory Visits to Bangladesh, May 2018
Pictured above are Locus Economica’s Johnathan Smith and Jean-Paul Gauthier performing an advisory visit to the Janata Towers Software Tech Park & IT Incubator, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, between 7-9 May 2018, where they partook in panel discussions and seminars.
Jean-Paul Gauthier Speaks at the Tanger Med Free Zone (TMZ) in Morocco, June 2019
At the kind invitation of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, Locus Economica’s Jean-Paul Gauthier gave a lecture on 21st June 2019 at the Tanger Med Free Zone on SEZs.
Locus Economica Contributes to a PWC and UK Aid Investment Report on Africa
Locus Economica’s Jean-Paul Gauthier contributed to the November 2018 ‘Invest Africa’ report which was jointly published by PWC and UK Aid and which was a regional study in planning, financing and managing industrial parks in sub-saharan Africa.
The report can also be found on https://www.academia.edu/43581137/UKAID_Invest_Africa_Industrial_Park_Financing_Report .
Locus Economica Contribution to "How to Get Stuff Done (GSD) through Sustainable Investment Clusters"
Locus Economica’s Jean-Paul Gauthier contributes to the Savo Project Delevopers’ publication, ‘How to Get Stuff Done (GSD) through Sustainable Investment Clusters’ particularly to Chapter Five on ‘Conducive Policy Environment’(s). For more information on the project, go to https://p4gpartnerships.org/pioneering-green-partnerships/all-p4g-partnerships/sustainable-special-economic-zones .
Presenting at the Yura Small & Medium Enterprise Association
Managing Director, Jean Paul Gauthier presenting to the Yura Small & Medium Enterprise Association, in Peru, for UNIDO, on 14 March 2018, on a possible Small business SEZ in Yura.
Rwanda Development Board Highly Recommends Locus Economica's CEO Jean-Paul Gauthier to UNIDO
Mr. Naphtal Kazoora, manager of Rwanda's Special Economic Zones Regulatory Authority, this month issued a kind letter of support for Jean-Paul Gauthier's expertise in ongoing UNIDO-supported SEZ development assistance.
Mr. Kazoora's letter to UNIDO reads in part: "I am pleased to confirm that SEZAR would welcome further support to be provided by UNIDO in the form of advice and training to be provided by Dr Jean-Paul Gauthier, Senior Expert on Special Economic Zones (SEZ): Regulatory and Institutional Development Issues ... I would be grateful if UNIDO could proceed to contract Dr Gauthier as soon as possible."
See the full letter here.
Madagascar SEZ Bill Adopted
Ehoala Port, Fort Dauphin, Madagascar – the site of a proposed SEZ
In July 2017, the Madagascar Council of Ministers adopted the SEZ Bill prepared with the technical assistance of Locus Economica in the 2015-2017 period. We had generous assistance from local counsel from the MCI law firm. The entire project was backed by funding from the World Bank Growth Poles Project.
Under the SEZ Law, which Locus Economica co-drafted, investors had, as of November 2017, signed MoUs with Rio Tinto’s Ehoala Business Park (constructed at a cost of $256 million) projected to create 1,000 jobs.
Building Kenya's Special Economic Zones Regulations
One of Locus Economica's greatest values is the guidance we provide on legal and regulatory frameworks for special economic zones (SEZs). Locus has walked alongside the Kenyan government in its development of a new special economic zones law, regulations, and subsidiary instruments for the last few years. In March-April 2017...
Locus Contributes Insights on Agro-focused SEZs for the UN FAO
Jean-Paul Gauthier Featured in PM Network on the Factors for Zone Success and Failure
PM Network recently featured Locus Economica Founder and CEO Jean-Paul Gauthier on the key factors for success or failure of special economic zones (SEZs). Jean-Paul explained that initial startup costs of an SEZ can run...
Konza Techno City Drives Kenya Closer to a Knowledge-Based Economy
Locus congratulates Kenya's Konza Techno City, which recently signed an agreement with the government of South Korea to establish a public research university valued at US$100 million. The Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (Kaist) will establish the university, helping Kenya achieve its goal of developing information and communication technology industries. Locus founder and CEO Jean-Paul Gauthier provided assistance to Konza City ...
Zones as Engines of Opportunity for Migrants and Host Communities
Locus Economica is pleased to support the NGO Refugee Cities as a preferred cause this holiday season. Refugee Cities exists to use zones as a response to the migration crisis. A refugee city would be a special economic zone (SEZ) in which migrants could legally work, start their own businesses, and train in new skills. ...
What makes for a successful special economic zone?
Locus Economica consultants Jean-Paul Gauthier and Harold Godsoe were featured in Global Finance Magazine's great recent article, "Special Economic Zones: Who Wins, Who Loses?." In the article, Jean-Paul and Harold contributed to an excellent summary of the policies that tend to produce successful zones and the policies that undermine success. Here is just a quick sketch: ...