Opeida Zvenyslava. Free trade zones: Are they compliant with WTO law?

Free Trade Zones or “FTZs” –  areas in which governments grant businesses special incentives such as tax breaks and exemptions, and flexible rules on importation – have become increasingly popular. FTZs have been mainly set up with the purpose of attracting FDI, increasing exports, developing disadvantaged regions and creating new jobs. There are now around 4,500 zones in over 130 countries, and they have great impact on world trade (for example, accounting for more than half of Chinese exports). Their effects are felt far beyond individual countries, which raises a question of their consistency with WTO rules.

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