Since President Xi Jinping proposed the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013, the China (Shenzhen) Comprehensive Development Research Institute (CDI) has leveraged its extensive experience in the management of economic zones and industrial parks to provide consultancy services to countries such as Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritius, Kenya, India, Sri Lanka, Belarus, and the Federated States of Micronesia. This consultancy covers legislative, planning, and construction aspects of special economic zones, exporting China’s experience in developing special economic zones. Additionally, CDI has actively promoted the transformation of Chinese enterprises from overseas park engineering construction to a comprehensive service model involving investment, construction, management, and operation. The work of CDI has provided intellectual support for the practical implementation of Belt and Road projects overseas and has been highly praised by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and host country governments.
The CDI’s research and analysis, published in Comprehensive Research on National Policies (24) | Belt and Road Initiative in the Middle East: China’s Special Economic Zone Development Experience Promotes Middle East Economic Transformation, highlights the significance of special economic zones in the Middle East’s economic transformation. The article was written by researchers Zeng Manyuan and Wang Zhen from the Institute of Regional Development Planning at CDI.
Special Economic Zones as a New Outbreak for Middle Eastern Countries
Special economic zones are increasingly becoming a new way for Middle Eastern countries, such as Kuwait, to break free from the oil curse. The successful model of special economic zones represented by Shenzhen Economic Zone has garnered increasing attention. The full lifecycle management of special economic zones can serve as an important reference for Kuwait and other Middle Eastern countries.
Full Lifecycle Management of Special Economic Zones
The full lifecycle management of special economic zones refers to the integrated management of information and processes throughout all stages, from concept to strategic planning, legislation and policy, investment and financing, development and construction, and operation and management. Neglecting any stage in this process can significantly impact the overall development and construction level of special economic zones, even leading to failure.
Promoting Sino-Kuwait Cooperation through Special Economic Zones
To further promote Sino-Kuwait cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, the article suggests that Chinese enterprises and the Kuwaiti government work together to develop and build the Silk City project and the Five Islands Comprehensive Development Zone project in accordance with the requirements of full lifecycle management of special economic zones. This includes ensuring the top-level strategic support for special economic zones, prioritizing legal and policy arrangements, paying close attention to the preliminary planning of special economic zones, adhering to the strategy of prioritizing investment attraction, and attaching great importance to the management of special economic zones.
Conclusion
China’s special economic zone development experience has become an important reference for Middle Eastern countries seeking economic transformation. By leveraging the full lifecycle management of special economic zones, China and Middle Eastern countries can work together to build successful Belt and Road projects and achieve sustainable economic development.
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