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The empirical literature on Special economic zones (SEZs) has shown that SEZs have become critical policy tools for advancing economic and firm performance, especially in developing economies where financial capital, human capital, technology and technical know‐how to drive these performances are in limited supply. While the importance and effects of SEZs cannot be overemphasised and are well documented, particularly in Asia, SEZs' operationalisation, structure and policy practice appear to vary, especially in Ghana and hence a need to examine SEZ effects on firm performance in Ghana. Thus, following the difference in the structure and practice of SEZs and its limited empirical evidence in African emerging economies, this present study employs analysis of variance, treatment estimation and regression models covering 328 firms between 2018 and 2021 to shed insights on how SEZ dynamics/features affect firm performance (measured with total factor productivity, labour productivity, profitability, revenue generation and value added) in Ghana. Our results suggest firms operating under SEZ dynamics have varying significant effects on firm performance. Thus, while firms registered as SEZ firms and operating in SEZ enclaves and firms registered as SEZ firms and operating outside SEZ enclaves have significant positive effects on the performance indicators of firms, firms that are not registered as SEZ firms and operating outside SEZ enclaves detracted firm performance. Clearly, firms that possess SEZ dynamics/features tend to promote performance of firms as denoted in the empirical literature and theoretical approaches to SEZ. Arguably, the tax holidays, cheaper tariffs and infrastructural benefits derived by SEZ registered firms boost their productivity, revenue and profit performance higher than non‐SEZ registered firms. These results suggest policymakers/government should reduce administrative bottlenecks of registering as SEZ firms and operating in SEZ enclaves to increase the number of SEZ firm operations to induce performance and create room for fiscal revenue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban areas in sub-Saharan Africa are facing significant developmental challenges due to rapid population growth and urban expansion, this study aims to predict urban growth and assess the SDG 11.3.1 indicator in the Chambishi multi-facility economic zone (CFEMZ) in Zambia through the integration of remote sensing data and spatial cooperative simulation so as to realize sustainable development goals (SDGs). The study utilized DMSP-OLS and VIIRS nighttime light data between 2000 and 2020 to extract the urban built-up area by applying the Pseudo-Invariant Features (PIFs) method to determine thresholds. The land-use and population changes under several development scenarios in 2030 were simulated in the study using the Spatial Cooperative Simulation (SCS) approach. The changes in SDG 11.3.1 indicators were also calculated in the form of a spatialized kilometer grid. The findings show a substantial rise in the built-up area and especially indicate a most notable increase in Chambishi. The primary cause of this growth is the development of industrial parks, which act as the region's principal engine for urban expansion. Under the natural scenario, the land-use distribution in the study area presents an unplanned state that will make it difficult to realize SDGs. The results of the spatialization form of the SDG 11.3.1 indicator demonstrate the areas and problems of imbalance between urban construction and population growth in the CMFEZ. This study demonstrates the importance of remote sensing of nighttime lighting and spatial simulation in urban planning to achieve SDG 11.3.1 for sustainable urbanization in industrial cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Since 2006, Taiwan has actively pursued the development of its medical tourism industry. In 2013, the government sought to bolster this sector by integrating medical tourism into the Free Economic Pilot Zones. Despite narrowly missing the mark, the initiative failed to materialize into law. This qualitative study endeavors to discern the pertinent factors influencing the agenda-setting process for incorporating medical tourism into the Free Economic Pilot Zones in Taiwan. Methods: A comprehensive examination of policies concerning the legitimation of medical tourism within the Free Economic Pilot Zones was undertaken through semi-structured interviews and a thorough review of policy documents. Key informants were strategically selected using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Thematic analysis was applied to scrutinize the amassed data and organize it within the framework of Kingdon's multiple streams. Results: In the problem stream, increasing financial strains and cost containment pressures under the National Health Insurance program have long driven health care providers to seek further opportunities in medical tourism. The existing barriers to expanding medical tourism in Taiwan included diplomatic tensions (specifically cross-strait relations), public concerns about commercialization of medical care and reduced their access to care, and legal and language barriers. Within the policy stream, factors such as franchise fees to support national health insurance, limited number of demonstration medical tourism sites and services allowed, the allowance of foreign medical personnel, regulations governing domestic physicians, the importance of demonstration, regulation, and accreditation, as well as restrictions on investment from China, were emphasized. The politics stream highlights factors such as governmental support, opposition from opposing parties, public concerns and critics from academia and non-governmental organizations, and skepticism from medical faculties. Conclusion: Acknowledging the recognized challenges in enacting the medical tourism provision of the Free Economic Pilot Zones Special Act and emphasizing the political will of leadership, a viable policy solution remained elusive. Although a window of opportunity existed for the passage of the bill, it waned as public concerns sidelined the issue from the national agenda. The Taiwan case underscores the necessity for meticulous consideration of issues, proposed solutions, and political dynamics to achieve successful policy enactment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the context of market competitiveness and the economic and financial crisis, companies need to optimize their production systems, tracking the raw material from the suppliers until the final product arrives to the consumer. The Lean philosophy assumes a relevant role for today's industries through its concepts and tools, enabling optimization, increasing revenues, and having the principle of not expropriating the environment. This article aims to analyse the level of maturity reached by industries in Luanda regarding the practices and tools of the Lean philosophy. A Lean graphic model was built, measured by the Lean Enterprise Self-Assessment Tool (LESAT) maturity model through qualitative and quantitative research focusing on the statistics of 87 circumscribed industries at Viana Industrial Development Pole in the Economic Special Zone of Luanda region, Angola. Initially was conducted an analysis to see whether Lean practices and tools were used: 5S, OKJust-In-Time, Kanban, Bottleneck Analysis, Jidoka, Kaizen, Poka-Yoke, SMED, Gemba, Heijunka, Value Stream Mapping, Hoshin Kanri, and Andon. The next steps were to analyse the following: customer value analysis; value chain analysis; analysis of the use of the pulled production system; and analysis of the use of the continuous production flow analysis of continuous improvement. The result shows these industries using the Lean philosophy at a very low level of maturity. Only the 5S tool was known and used. The JIT, Kanban, and Bottleneck Analysis were moderately used. Only 50% of Lean practices were used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the establishment of the World Trade Organization (WTO) – which led to a dramatic expansion in the scope of global trade rules and made those rules legally binding on states – scholars have highlighted the constraints it has imposed on development policy space. By prohibiting many of the standard tools of the developmental state, the WTO's rules have been seen as 'kicking away the ladder' for developing countries, preventing them from using the trade and industrial policies needed to catch up with more advanced economies. However, since 2019, the US has disabled the WTO's enforcement mechanism by blocking judicial appointments to the Appellate Body. As a result, this article shows the trade and development landscape has now changed fundamentally: WTO rules – once a powerful constraint on development policy space – are no longer legally enforceable. The article analyzes two recent landmark disputes – Indonesian nickel export restrictions and Indian export subsidies provided through special economic zones – in which developing countries have successfully blocked WTO panel rulings that would force them to repeal developmentalist policies. Ironically, given that the US was originally the dominant force behind the WTO's anti-developmentalist rules and its binding dispute settlement system, one important consequence of the US Appellate Body blockage has been the re-emergence of development policy space in the multilateral trading system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article contends that North Korea should accede to the New York Convention and the ICSID Convention to provide more robust legal protections and dispute settlement mechanisms for foreign investors. While North Korea has enacted various domestic laws and established special economic zones to attract foreign investment, these measures have proved insufficient to fully assuage investor concerns, particularly regarding the enforcement of arbitral awards and protections against expropriation. Joining the New York Convention would mitigate uncertainties surrounding the enforcement of foreign arbitral awards by obligating North Korean courts to recognize and enforce such awards, subject only to limited, internationally accepted grounds for refusal. Accession to the ICSID Convention would enable aggrieved foreign investors to bring claims against North Korea before a neutral, depoliticized arbitral tribunal, providing an additional layer of protection against discriminatory or expropriatory state conduct. Membership in these conventions would significantly enhance North Korea's credibility in the eyes of foreign investors, demonstrating a commitment to upholding the rule of law and aligning its investment framework with global norms. While accession alone is not a panacea, it represents a crucial step toward building investor confidence, facilitating greater FDI inflows, and fostering North Korea's economic development and international engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we have examined the air quality within a revitalized, post-industrial urban area in Łódź, Poland. The use of Dron technology with mobile measurement equipment allowed for accurate assessment of air quality (particulate matter and gaseous pollutants) and factors influencing air quality (wind speed and direction) on a local scale in an area of 0.18 km2 and altitudes from 2 to 50 m. The results show that the revitalization carried out in the Lodz special economic zone area contributed to eliminate internal air pollution emitters through the use of ecological and effective heat sources. The exceedances permissible concentration values were local, and concerned mainly the higher measurement zones of the troposphere (more than 30 m above ground level). In the case of gaseous pollutants, higher wind speeds were associated with a decrease in the concentration of SO2 and an increase in H2S concentration. In both cases, the wind contributed to the occurrence of local areas of accumulation of these gaseous pollutants in the spaces between buildings or wooded areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of IGKOJEI Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat is the property of Fakultas Peternakan Universitas Papua and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Tourist visits to Bodogol Resort, Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park (GGPNP), have experienced a downward trend from to 1998–2021. In addition, the Bodogol Resort is directly adjacent to the Lido Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with its main activity of tourism. The level of interest and influence of stakeholders involved in ecotourism development at Bodogol Resort and their role determine progress in ecotourism development. This study aims to assess the stakeholders and their role in ecotourism development at Bodogol Resort. Data collection was performed through observations, interviews, and document deepening. The analyses were performed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Stakeholder analysis was carried out to identify stakeholders, classify and map stakeholders, and analyze the relationships between stakeholders. Sixteen stakeholders related to ecotourism development in the Bodogol Resort were identified. The stakeholder mapping results are three key players, five subjects, and eight crowds. This shows that the stakeholders involved have not played as optimal roles as they should, the division of roles of who does what. Bodogol Resort is one of the key players with the highest level of influence and interest. The results of the matrix analysis of the relationships between stakeholders show that communication, coordination, and cooperation are low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gas flaring (GF) has the negative impact on the environment, climate, and human health. So, regular monitoring of flares and quantification of their volume is necessary. Iran has many natural oil/gas processing plants and petrochemical companies which are concentrated in the southern region. Pars Special Economic Energy Zone (PSEEZ) is an industry part with different kinds of active flares, thus a significant potential source of environmental impacts due to gas flaring. Remotely sensed data are used in gas‐flaring detection, volume estimation, and pollution emission. In this study, we applied day/nighttime radiation and air pollutant data to estimate gas flaring volumes. We developed artificial neural network models (ANN) for finding the relationship between the field measurement of GF volume as the dependent variable and shortwave infrared and thermal infrared bands of Landsat 8, M10 band of Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite, and air pollutant (NO2, CO, O3, and SO2) of TROPOMI as independent variables. Results showed that R2 values were 0.73 for the ANN model from 2018 to 2019. The sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the thermal infrared bands of B10 and B11 of Landsat 8 had the most important role in the estimation of gas flaring volume. In contrast, the SWIR bands of Landsat 8 and all TROPOMI products were insignificant. The findings of this research help to shed light on the use of remotely sensed data in estimating the volume of gas flaring at the regional/global scale by integration of the ANN model. Plain Language Summary: Gas flaring (GF) is an essential process that used to dispose the unwanted gases in oil/gas processing plants and petrochemical companies. Obviously, burning gases has a huge and negative impact on the environment, climate, and human health. So, the best way to manage these effects are monitoring, detecting, characterizing, and estimating the volume of gas flaring. Remote sensing has enough potential to provide the useful data in all parts of the research on GF in industrial areas. In this study, we estimated the volume of gas flaring in one of the gas industries of Iran, the Pars Special Economic Energy Zone (PSEEZ) by using remotely sensed data (B6, B7, B10, B11/landsat8‐ M10/VIIRS‐ NO2, CO, O3, SO2/Sentinel‐5P) and ground data based on two kinds of models, artificial neural network (ANN), and multivariate regression. Since there was a non‐linear relationship between the variables and the volume of gas flaring, the ANN model showed the most acceptable results. Among all the variables, bands 10 and 11 of Landsat 8 played a very important role in estimating the gas flaring volume. Key Points: Air pollutants and remote sensing radiation used for estimation of gas flaring volumeThermal infrared bands of Landsat 8 showed the most important role in GF volume estimationNO2 showed more significant role in GF volume estimation compared to others pollutants [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the intricacies of replicating China's structural economic transformation through special economic zones (SEZs) in Africa, with a focus on the Eastern Industry Zone (EIZ) in Ethiopia. Combining insights from empirical research and the literature on China's development model, African SEZs and Chinese economic and trade cooperation zones (ETCZs) in Africa, we contend that while static industrialisation policies can be transposed more readily, the dynamic aspects that underpin China's model face challenges due to differences in institutional capacity and contextual synergies (internal and external). This hampers the efficacy of ETCZs in steering structural economic transformation. The article advocates for a more creative adaptation process, urging dynamic learning and leadership level innovation to address institutional and structural weaknesses while reducing vulnerability to externalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper moves across the ecological assemblages of the Periyar basin in Kerala. It argues that the connectivities and unintentional designs that emerge bespeak the Anthropocene in its regional and political peculiarities. The river has never been a conduit of water alone. The narrative builds broadly on ecological relations entrenched in history, most visibly as hydrological regimes. Such regimes are significant because of the riparian densities that articulate the geo‐morphology. The different entanglements in ecology, as well as the successive productions of natures, gain significance as 'recognitions' during rupture events like the large floods. In contemporary contexts, the versatile flows of capital dissolve markers and boundaries and reconfigure regions in terms of capital. Vikasanam or new urban reforms, apart from political policies, are also ecological designs that normalise exceptions, otherwise reserved for special economic zones. The frictions with new materiality, post dam floods and hydrological controls, during developmental and neoliberal post developmental phases, become moments of recognition, making and unmaking sense of place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a new engine of economic growth, marine economy has gradually attracted the high attention of countries around the world. At the same time, digital technology is becoming a crucial propeller to empower almost all perspectives of economic sustainable development. This research delineates the exploration of the distinctive regional attributes pertinent to the sustainable development of the marine economy and its interrelation with digital technology in China. Utilizing data spanning from 2013 to 2021 across China's eleven coastal areas, this paper adopts the entropy method to develop comprehensive index systems of both marine economy sustainable development and digital technology to evaluate regional their spatiotemporal characteristics, interrelations, and potential mechanisms based on the panel fixed effects model and Dagum Gini coefficient. The results show that both the level of digital technology and green development in marine economy exhibit a steady upward trend with significant regional differences and hierarchical phenomenon. Notably, regional development disparities within the tripartite major marine economic zones are discernible, with intra- and inter-regional variances being markedly pronounced. Further analysis affirm a substantial linkage between digital technology and the sustainable development of the marine economy, positing technological innovation as a plausible conduit. Our findings advocate for the augmentation of digital technology application through technological innovation, as a strategy to foster the sustainable development of the marine economy while ensuring regional equilibrium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the expression "Just transition", the European Commission refers to a new development model to bring in the environmental and digital transition "leaving no one behind". From an investment law perspective, it implies the adoption of several incentives to support new green economy activities or the reconversion of old ones into green and energy-neutral production models. Starting from an analysis of the EU just transition strategy, the paper focuses on the Italian case, investigating the interconnection between just transition funds and other measures (the Single Special Economic Zone and National Recovery and Resilience Program) to verify their effectiveness in terms of investment retention and attraction and their effects in terms of strategic industrial planning. Concerning retention, the Sider Alloys and Acciaierie d'Italia case studies are analyzed. Concerning attraction, as the incentives may appeal to aggressive activities dangerous to the EU and Member States' strategic autonomy, the paper offers an overview of the instruments available for screening and preventing creeping economic operations, especially the proposed reform of the investment screening mechanism and the anti-coercion instrument. In conclusion, the paper proposes the adoption of an ex ante impact assessment, including citizen consultation, aimed at verifying investment concrete capacity to contribute to the just transition process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study how the quality of local business environments helps explain growth outcomes of micro- and small enterprise microfinance clients by drawing on long-term nationwide administrative data and a policy shock in Cambodia. The staggered launch of special economic zones, which we link to positive shocks to the business environment on both the demand and supply side, leads to significantly increased employment in micro- and small enterprises (MSEs) located in these special economic zones (SEZs), compared to enterprises in contextually similar districts that are unexposed to an SEZ. Key channels explaining the improved growth outcomes include expanded access to external markets for the enterprises' goods and services, more dynamic labor environments, and improved credit terms and conditions. To broaden the relevance of our findings, we combine data from prominent empirical studies on microfinance and demonstrate how related business conditions identified in the enterprise growth literature help explain differences in client business outcomes found in their results. Policy implications are that a smaller but influential segment of microfinance borrowers significantly benefit from opportunities provided by improved local business environments and that governments and lenders can play active roles in facilitating the necessary improvements for such MSEs. Plain English Summary: Financial access may not be fulfilling its real potential in low-income settings, unless coupled with the right opportunities in the business environment for micro- and small enterprises. We use Cambodia's special economic zones as a policy shock to study how the quality of local business environments help explain micro- and small enterprise microfinance clients' growth. We find that the SEZs generate large increases in employment for microfinance borrowers for both micro- and small enterprises. These increases are concentrated in locations where SEZs expand access to local markets and where there are more dynamic labor environments. The SEZs also lead the microfinance lender to improve credit terms, which contribute notably to improved enterprise outcomes. To broaden the relevance of our findings, we demonstrate how related sub-national business environment factors help explain different borrower outcomes found in extant studies that measure microfinance impacts. Policy implications are that an important subset of microfinance borrowers is able to seize opportunities provided by local business environments, and that national and subnational governments can play active roles in facilitating such improved business environments for micro and small enterprises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research aimed to investigate the English proficiency level, what English conversation materials are needed, and what obstacles hawkers face in Mandalika Special Economy Zone when communicating with foreign tourists. This study utilizes a qualitative research paradigm with a descriptive approach; this study paints a comprehensive picture of the language abilities of Mandalika's hawkers, the materials of English conversation needed by hawkers, and the hawkers' obstacles when communicating with foreign tourists. Methods of collecting data consist of interviews, documentation, and observation. Some steps to analyze the data collected are data condensation, data display, verification, concluding, and data validity. Findings reveal a diverse spectrum of English proficiency levels among hawkers, ranging in primary and intermediate proficiency levels. Specifically, from 20 hawkers as research subjects, 13 hawkers exhibit a basic level of proficiency, while seven hawkers demonstrate intermediate-level skills. The assessment of English proficiency level is based on three crucial aspects that the hawkers always use namely understanding of English communication, non-verbal communication strategies employed by the hawkers, and vocabulary usage. These materials vary depending on the type of goods hawkers sell, highlighting the importance of tailored language resources. This research found 4 (four) crucial materials or topics to be mastered when communicating with foreign tourists: greetings and welcoming, describing specialties, providing personal/additional information, and discussing prices and payment. Additionally, the research uncovers obstacles faced by hawkers in their communication with foreign tourists. These challenges encompass hawkers' difficulty in explaining products, the low English proficiency of most Hawkers, and also language and vocabulary constraints of hawkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited export potential can impede growth prospects. While core regions serve as hubs of globalization, the question remains as to how rural regions can increase their exports. By identifying the factors that enhance the export competitiveness of rural regions, particularly in comparison to urban regions, we can steer them towards sustainable development and overcome constraints related to remoteness. However, there is no simple or shortcut way of increasing exports in rural regions. It still requires long-term investments, improvements in human capital, inflows of foreign-owned entities, and advantageous operations of special economic zones. Social capital has a positive impact on exports at the regional level, but its effect could not be acknowledged in the subsets of regions. What should rural regions prioritise? Investing in human capital and promoting non-agricultural economic activities that have a greater impact on rural exports than urban ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mandalika Special Economic Zone is tourism area that is expected to improve the economy in West Nusa Tenggara Province. To support these activities, an allocation of domestic water needs of 200 liters second-1 is needed. The potential availability of water in the Pengga Reservoir is planned to be a source of domestic water needs in the Mandalika Special Economic Zone. Pengga Reservoir has an effective storage volume of 17.26 MCM. Potential water resources in Pengga Reservoir are obtained from reservoir outflow upstream and lateral inflow from several tributaries. The study was carried out to determine the reservoir storage capacity to meet domestic water needs and irrigation water needs covering an area 3189 ha. The cropping pattern used in the Pengga irrigation area is Paddy - Paddy/Secondary Crops - Paddy/Secondary Crops. To optimize the potential of water resources in the Pengga Reservoir, a linear programming optimization method is used. Indicators of the success of optimization calculations are indicated by the value of cropping intensity, k factor and reliability that have met the minimum limit value. The k factor value for irrigation water needs is 0.70 and domestic water needs is 0.85. Based on the optimization results, it is known the largest annual cropping intensity value occurs in the November I planting season. This conclusion can be seen from the comparison of annual cropping intensity values for the November I and November II planting schedules for the dry year inflow discharge scenario of 99.98% and 97.22% respectively. The cropping intensity value in the November I planting season is greater than November II, namely 100% and 97.25%, for the normal year discharge inflow scenario. This study provides an information for policy makers can use the November I planting schedule to obtain values for maximum cropping intensity and domestic water requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examines the potential of Special Economic Zones (KEK) in realizing an inclusive economy in Indonesia through literature observations. The main findings show that SEZs act as a catalyst for economic growth by attracting investment and creating a multiplier effect for the local economy. To realize an inclusive economy, SEZs need to integrate region-based development, implement a sustainable economy, and strengthen the principle of linkages with local economic sectors. However, there are challenges such as concentration of benefits in large companies, exploitation of resources, and weakening integration with local economies. The proposed solutions include implementing a circular economy, supporting local entrepreneurship, and increasing community access to financing, training and business networks. Comprehensive efforts are needed to maximize the potential of SEZs in achieving a sustainable, inclusive economy [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existence of the utilization of the Tanjung Lesung Special Economic Zone (SEZ) as connectivity, interaction relationships, and the balance of resource governance influence cultural ecosystem service. This research aimed to map out the social-ecological system components of coastal and marine cultural ecosystem services. The focus is on examining the connectivity network between resource governance (RG) components such as resource actors (RA), resource units (RU), and resource systems (RS). The data obtained were analyzed using the stages of social-ecological network analysis. The results show a significant influence and strong interaction between resource governance (RG) components and other components. The presence of institutional structures and typologies is a crucial component that serves as a guideline for SEZ management influenced by actor centrality through links. Several performance indicators are still lacking based on the interaction conditions, indicating the need for strategies to strengthen governance. However, a particular challenge that needs attention is the implementation of every governance strategy formulation. Cohesion among stakeholders in enhancing resource governance performance with the surrounding community is paramount. Improvement can be achieved through strong collaboration to ensure the sustainability of coastal and marine cultural ecosystem services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Economic Series of the Bulletin of the L.N. Gumilyov ENU is the property of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Integrated ethylene oxide/ethylene glycols (EO/EG) plants are prominent energy consumers in the petrochemical sector, particularly concerning high‐pressure steam (HPS) usage which holds the potential for substantial energy savings. This study focuses on an unexplored territory: Examining the impact of EO catalyst type, selectivity, and glycols production capacity on HPS import in a plant in the Pars Special Economic Energy Zone (PSEEZ). Utilizing Python3 for data preprocessing and ordinary least squares linear regression analysis, we evaluate how varying catalyst loads and production scenarios influence HPS import. Regression models are created, encompassing normal and efficient HPS import scenarios, yielding positive outcomes in terms of correlation, mean error percentage, and R2 analysis. Comparing normal and efficient HPS import models highlights potential savings, uncovering opportunities to conserve between 45 and over 200 tonnes per day of HPS. We also explore the plant's HPS behaviour under 1% selectivity and production capacity reductions. Notably, catalyst activity decline markedly escalates HPS import for hybrid catalysts, while selectivity decline decreases HPS import for high‐activity catalysts. The models demonstrate that HPS import is ~150 tonnes per day more sensitive to a 1% change in selectivity compared to production capacity. Moreover, when comparing high activity and hybrid catalyst scenarios in normal and efficient cases, the most substantial HPS import difference arises under conditions of low selectivity, amounting to nearly 200 tonnes per day. Our methodology applies to other EO/EG plants. It is incorporated into our plant's energy management system, enabling continuous monitoring of steam import behaviour relative to catalyst and plant performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African countries are consistently trying to leverage industrialization to advance their economic development. Despite possessing favorable factors such as abundant natural resources, a surplus of low-cost labor, and an increasing number of established Special Economic Zones (SEZs), African countries are yet to fully maximize their potential and achieve sustainable and inclusive industrialization. This study explores the comparative advantages of African countries to determine the types of SEZs that can effectively accelerate industrialization. By leveraging the unique strengths and resources of each country, customized strategies for SEZs can be developed to attract investments, promote technological advancements, and foster sustainable economic growth. The research utilizes the Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) matrix, which is grounded in Ricardian trade theory, examining trade data spanning from 2011 to 2021 to evaluate the competitive export capabilities of various countries. The findings consistently reveal that the selected countries (Ghana, Ethiopia, and South Africa) possess a significant and consistent comparative advantage in natural and agricultural resources compared to other sectors. Establishing SEZs that focus on these sectors can generate substantial socio-economic impacts, including attracting investments, creating employment opportunities, enhancing export capacities, stimulating economic growth, fostering linkages, facilitating skills and technology transfer, promoting spillover effects, encouraging specialization, developing infrastructure, and supporting value addition in agribusinesses. The result of this study will contribute to policy discussions and aid decision-making processes for policymakers, investors, and development practitioners in their efforts to advance industrial development across Africa.

Objective: to create a model of legal regulation of clusters in the Russian Federation.Methods: historical method, formal-legal analysis, statistical and sociological methods, systematization, comparative-legal method, methods of legal modeling and forecasting.Results: based on the analysis of scientific literature, Russian and foreign legislation and legal practice, the paper formulates the definition of a “cluster” concept (a group of business entities (suppliers, manufacturers, etc.) located on the territory of a special economic zone, operating in a certain sphere, producing and/or carrying out complementary goods, works, services), defines its features and types, and identifies the models of incentive legal regimes: (a) “model of derogations” – EPR model; b) “model of guarantees” – model of a legal regime stimulating entrepreneurial activity in the field of digital innovations and technologies in the PPP (MPP) framework; c) “model of support” – model of a legal regime stimulating entrepreneurial activity of SMEs in the field of digital innovations and technologies; d) “model of preferences” – model of a legal regime stimulating entrepreneurial activity within the boundaries of territories and entities with high innovation potential. The author proposes to create a unified legal regime of cluster and cluster activity in the Russian Federation by developing and adopting a relevant federal law and amending the legislation on special economic zones.Scientific novelty: the article is the first to carry out a comprehensive comparative legal analysis of clusters and cluster policy, their legal regulation in Russia and foreign countries.Practical significance: the main provisions and conclusions of the article can be used in scientific, pedagogical and law enforcement activities when considering issues related to the legal regulation of clusters and cluster policy in Russia and foreign countries, as well as legal regimes stimulating entrepreneurial activity in the field of digital innovation and technology.

Abstract Qianhai—an innovation park in Shenzhen—has the possibility of boosting innovation in Hong Kong, Shenzhen and in the wider region. This paper reviews the existing evidence about which policies have promoted profitable innovation in the Qianhai region (Hong Kong and Shenzhen) in the past. We also point to the importance of profitable innovation—rather than just innovation for its own sake. Profits attract and keep firms in an international financial centre. Yet, until we know exactly how much profitability these innovative firms require and how to promote such profitability, the advice given in the literature to Qianhai’s and other policymakers will remain woefully inadequate.

Anthracene (ANT) is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) that is abundantly found in the soil of industrial areas. ANT-contaminated soils are a major concern in industrial zones causing serious environmental and health problems. This research aims to remediate ANT-contaminated soil using ultrasonic irradiation. An industrial zone located in the southern part of Iran, was selected as the case study. The concentration of ANT, ultrasonic power, process time, and water content of soil (water volume) were selected as operational parameters. Based on the authors' best information, this study is pioneering in its exploration of the simultaneous effects of the involved operational parameters, including their antagonistic and synergistic interactions. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to model the remediation process and predict the removal efficiency. The developed model was used to determine the optimal values of operational parameters to achieve the highest removal efficiency. The results indicated a high synergistic effect between ultrasonic power and water volume. Increasing the water volume from 100 to 250 ml while maintaining the power level at 100 W led to an enhancement in removal efficiency, with values progressing from 39 to 60%. A quadratic equation (a statistical model) was found to be suitable for fitting the data or describing the variations associated with the resulting removal efficiency. The determined optimum conditions were an ultrasonic power of 163 W, a water volume of 225 ml per 100 g of soil, an ANT concentration of 315 mg/kg, and a process time of 0.8 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to analyze the contribution and comparison of Lombok Tengah Regency's Original Regional Income before and after the development of the Mandalika Special Economic Zone. This research uses quantitative methods. The location of this research is in Lombok Tengah Regency, while the research object is Regional Original Income before and after the development of the Mandalika Special Economic Zone. The data analysis used is contribution analysis and comparison tests using the paired sample t test. The research results show that: (1) The contribution of regional taxes before the construction of the Mandalika SEZ was 25.30% and 38.27% after the Mandalika SEZ construction. (2) The contribution of regional levies before the construction of the Mandalika SEZ was 10.60% and 8.16% after the construction of the Mandalika SEZ. (3) The contribution to regional wealth management results that were separated before the construction of the Mandalika SEZ was 5.25% and 4.67% after the construction of the Mandalika SEZ. (4) Other legitimate PAD contributions before the construction of the Mandalika SEZ were 58.85% and 51.43% after the Mandalika SEZ construction. (5) There is a difference in regional taxes before and after the construction of the Mandalika SEZ with a significance value of 0.010. (6) There are no differences in regional levies, results of separated wealth management, other PAD and local original income before and after the construction of the Mandalika SEZ with significance values of 0.788, 0.896, 0.786, 0.377. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild-sourced foods are entrenched among African women as a survival resource, with the potential to be expanded. Instead of optimising food security, current linear economic growth models in South Africa favour large environment-degrading projects, such as special economic zones and mining, that increase the gap between the wealthy and poor sectors of society. The contentious Chinese-funded Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ) planned for the Limpopo province of South Africa is used as a case study in this paper. The MMSEZ case demonstrates the failure of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to consider alternative land use suited to a biodiverse economy and existing livelihood strategies. Notably, the availability of a popular edible insect, the mopane worm, was not surveyed at a time when it might have been visible. Despite a local and global interest in insect protein, this opportunity was not considered as a means to improve food security and income streams for local unemployed African women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Qianhai—an innovation park in Shenzhen—has the possibility of boosting innovation in Hong Kong, Shenzhen and in the wider region. This paper reviews the existing evidence about which policies have promoted profitable innovation in the Qianhai region (Hong Kong and Shenzhen) in the past. We also point to the importance of profitable innovation—rather than just innovation for its own sake. Profits attract and keep firms in an international financial centre. Yet, until we know exactly how much profitability these innovative firms require and how to promote such profitability, the advice given in the literature to Qianhai's and other policymakers will remain woefully inadequate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Xiong'an New Area, following the precedent of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone and Shanghai Pudong New Area, marks a significant development. This study introduces a method to optimize the feature variable selection for Sentinel-2 images from 2016 to 2022, aiming for precise land-use classification in Xiong'an using machine learning. The classification reveals substantial growth in the infrastructure and aquatic areas in Rongcheng and Xiongxian counties, outpacing Anxin from 2016 to 2022. The Remote Sensing-Based Ecological Index (RSEI) indicates a generally stable yet improving ecological landscape, especially in denser areas like Xiongxian and Rongcheng, aligning regional development with ecological enhancement. EOF analysis shows a spatial ecological division, with positive RSEI values in the western regions and negative values in the east, along with temporal fluctuations indicating a decline in the west and an increase in the east since 2017. Additionally, the RSEI's short-cycle fluctuations emphasize the dynamic ecological state of the area, influenced by both long-term trends and transient factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a quasi-experiment of the special economic zones (SEZs) in China was conducted to explore whether green industrial parks play a role in enhancing local entrepreneurship. A household-level panel dataset of 9-year data across counties was built to compare the effects of green and non-green SEZs on the participation of local residents in entrepreneurial activities in a difference-in-differences (DID) setting. According to the empirical results, SEZs can promote local entrepreneurial activities, and such effects are more evident for green ones. An examination of the channels was conducted to reveal that SEZs have an entrepreneurial impact by reducing financial constraints, creating a connection between customers and suppliers, and spreading knowledge. Green SEZs were found to promote entrepreneurship mainly by reducing financial constraints and spreading knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]