Conflict-Affected Areas

Stimulating Job Growth and Poverty Reduction through the Maluku Special Economic Zone, DRC

In 2014, Locus Economica advised the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) through the IFC on the feasibility of implementing an SEZ program in its country.  Our assistance consisted of recommendations on the establishment of a secure legal framework for private-sector investment in the DRC. The DRC has sought to establish Kintech, a privately managed SEZ...

Helping Afghanistan Build a Stable Economy

Ever since the formation of a new government in Afghanistan, the country has attempted to diversify its economy by stimulating economic growth in industrial sectors. From 2010-2011, USAID utilized Jean-Paul Gauthier to advance that objective. ..

Assessing the Feasibility of SEZs in the Democratic Republic of Congo

In 2009-2010, Locus Economica Founder and CEO Jean-Paul Gauthier led a complete feasibility study on the establishment of an SEZ in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The study included the drafting of legislation for the new SEZ program...

Bringing Trade and Jobs to Terrorism-Affected Areas in Pakistan through Reconstruction Opportunity Zones

In 2009, when the U.S. government sought to establish Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) in Pakistan, they turned to Locus founder and CEO Jean-Paul Gauthier. Jean-Paul provided legal advice on the proposed measure, which would have provided manufacturers in designated industrial estates with the ability to reach U.S. markets tariff-free....

Charting a Future for South Sudan through Special Economic Zones

Jean-Paul Gauthier helped evaluate a special economic zones (SEZ) strategy for South Sudan in 2006 while serving as a Senior Technical Advisor and SEZ point person for the World Bank. South Sudan had recently...

Strategizing for Economic Development in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan, Iraq

In 2004, Jean-Paul Gauthier served the Kurdistan Investment Board as it sought to develop a Sulaymaniyah Secured Commercial Area. Jean-Paul served as Legal Component Lead and helped create a development strategy for the area, under a contract between Deloitte and the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in Iraq, as well as the Kurdistan Regional Government....