Could enterprise zones help us achieve the Global Goals?

Bendell, Jem ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0765-4413 (2015) Could enterprise zones help us achieve the Global Goals? World Economic Forum [website] .

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Abstract

In September, member states of the United Nations adopted 17 new Global Goals for sustainable development. These goals include recognition that industrialisation and international trade need to be brought into line with sustainable development outcomes. Social and environmental concerns need to be part of mainstream investment policy rather than being treated as an add-on after economic concerns are addressed. Given the mixed record of business performance on labour and environmental issues, it will be a huge challenge to shift commerce into a more sustainable path. But we have to start somewhere. “Starting somewhere” is the idea behind the rise of enterprise zones around the world. The idea is that in specific locations, a government and private sector can invest in creating the infrastructure and services needed for efficient business. There are now thousands of such zones around the world, some of which are called Export Processing Zones (EPZs) due to their emphasis on business development for international trade. Some countries, including India, have recently made the promotion of special zones a cornerstone of their economic strategy. In 2015, enthusiasm for special zones spread everywhere, with announcements of new zones even in Cuba and Myanmar.

Item Type:	Article
Journal / Publication Title:	World Economic Forum [website]
Publisher:	World Economic Forum
Departments:	Research Centres > Institute for Leadership and Sustainability (IFLAS)
Additional Information:	Author: Dr Jem Bendell is co-author of the UNCTAD report “Enhancing the Contribution of Export Processing Zones to the Sustainable Development Goals”, Professor of Sustainability Leadership at the University of Cumbria, Non-Executive Director with Trimantium Capital and a Young Global Leader. Article published on the Regional Agenda > Economic Growth and Social Inclusion section of the WEF website.
Depositing User:	Anna Lupton
Date Deposited:	02 Mar 2017 11:04
Last Modified:	12 Jan 2024 14:47
URI:	https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/2712

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