THE IMPACT OF FREE ECONOMIC ZONES ON REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE DIGITAL ECONOMY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55640/Keywords:
Free Economic Zones, regional development, investment, employment, economic growthAbstract
Free Economic Zones (FEZs) play an important role in stimulating regional economic development by creating favorable conditions for investment and business activity. This article examines the impact of Free Economic Zones on regional growth, focusing on their contribution to employment, foreign direct investment, industrial development, and infrastructure improvement. The study highlights how tax incentives, simplified administrative procedures, and access to modern infrastructure within FEZs help attract domestic and foreign investors. At the same time, the article discusses existing challenges, including unequal regional development, limited integration with local economies, and dependency on external capital. Based on a general analytical approach, the paper concludes that Free Economic Zones can serve as an effective tool for regional development if they are supported by well-designed policies and strong institutional frameworks. The findings emphasize the importance of aligning FEZ strategies with long-term regional economic goals.
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