Effectiveness of the Special Economic Zone policy over the Export Processing Zone structure in India: trade performance at the aggregate level
Empirical evidence on the effectiveness of recent India's Special Economic Zone (SEZ) policy over Export Processing Zone structure is analysed in this article by aggregating data of seven conventional SEZs from 1986–1987 to 2007–2008. The study reveals that introduction of SEZs in place of its predecessor, the Export Processing Zone, is having a significant and positive impact on its trade performance at the aggregate level. However, in terms of contribution to national trade, the Indian SEZs are lagging way behind the expectations of policymakers. Furthermore, the SEZ policy does not seem to be successful in diversifying the exports basket, which in turn has affected the direction of exports by the SEZs. Moreover, these zones were found to be highly susceptible to external shocks. Thus, we strongly argue in favour of a care in deciding the sectoral choice of SEZs and careful scrutiny of its approval across major Indian states.
Embedded Enclaves? Initial Implications of Development of Special Economic Zones in Myanmar
Special economic zones (SEZs) are geographically delimited areas in a country that are subject to differing business rules as otherwise applicable in the national territory. This study discusses the role of SEZs in the economic policy of Myanmar. Despite the fact that SEZs are often perceived as enclaves of industry having little effect on the national economic landscape, their success in practice depends to a large extent on their interdependence with the surrounding economy. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to initially apply the embeddedness concept to SEZs and therewith attempt to discuss probable implications of SEZs. The development of SEZs entails a number of weaknesses when assessed on their ability to enhance economic development, mainly because the quality of employment opportunities created is low and the quality of sustainable and lasting development, in general, is questionable. Although initial findings suggest that Thilawa SEZ, one of the three planned zones and currently the only one being in operation in Myanmar, has made some positive attempts to create jobs, transfer knowledge, and strengthen the country’s industrial infrastructure, there are some limits to positive external benefits flowing from SEZs in general. It is argued that consideration of the embeddedness concept proves helpful in gaining a more nuanced understanding of the interlinkage processes involved. More importantly, despite the perception of SEZs as enclaves, the specifics of their embeddedness reveal numerous directions for future research. These findings have important policy implications for Myanmar’s attempt at bringing about structural change and enhanced economic development. Les zones économiques spéciales (SEZ) sont des zones géographiques démarqués au sein des frontières d’un pays, ou les règles commerciales sont différentes à celles du reste du territoire nationale. Cette étude analyse le rôle des SEZ dans la politique économique du Myanmar. Même si les SEZ sont souvent perçues comme des enclaves ayant peu d’effet sur l’économie nationale, leur succès pratique dépend en grand partie de leur interdépendance avec l’économie qui les entourne. Le but de cette étude est donc d’appliquer le concept d’enchâssement aux SEZ, en particulier l’enchâssement des réseaux et des territoires, et de discuter les effets probables sur les SEZ. Le développement des SEZ entraine un nombre de points faibles si on les juge sur leur capacité à renforcer le développement économique, surtout parce que la qualité des opportunités de travail est faible et la qualité durable du développement parfois discutable. Les résultats de cette étude montrent que la SEZ Thilawa – une des trois zones planifiées, et a présente la seule en opération en Myanmar – a engendré des tentatives positives de création d’emplois, de transfert de connaissances, et de renforcement de la structure industrielle du pays; cependant, il y a des limites aux bénéfices externes positifs dérivés des SEZ. On discute que considérer l’enchâssement est utile pour comprendre de façon plus nuancé les interrelations en jeu. Ce qui est plus important c’est de comprendre que, en dépit de la perception des SEZ comme des enclaves, les spécificités de leur enchâssement nous révèlent des nombreuses directions pour des études futurs. Ces conclusions entrainent des implications importantes pour le Myanmar, et ses projets de changement structurel et de renforcement et développement économique.
A Method of Classifying Regions from Multivariate Data
﻿December 17,1983 whereas the aus paddy does. This is true not so much with respect to the latest exotic varieties as to the range of varieties of improved seeds derived from traditional ones.