Export processing zones in historical perspective

Why set up an EPZ?

The objective is always to attract investment that would otherwise not materialize. Countries look to such investment to:

create jobs and raise standards of living
transfer new skills and expertise to local human resources
boost the export sector, particularly non-traditional exports
earn foreign exchange
create backward and forward links to increase the output and raise the standards of local enterprises that supply goods and services to zone investors
introduce new technology
invigorate less-developed regions
stimulate sectors regarded as strategically important to the economy, e.g. electronics, information technology, R&D, tourism, infrastructure and human resource development
and even to kick-start the economy as a whole