The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has said that less than half of special economic zones (SEZs) can be deemed as successful in the countries it covers, according to its latest Transition Report focused on industrial policy.

Using night-time light (NTL) data as a proxy for economic activity, the EBRD analysis found that about 40% of zones were deemed to have increased NTL density within a 5km radius over a 10-year period, more than the average for the economy as a whole over the same period. The only success factor that had a statistically significant impact on SEZs success was a zone’s proximity to a port.

“Predicting the success of SEZs is challenging, with policy frameworks, institutional quality, local conditions, effective zone management and various other characteristics of zones all playing an important role,” the EBRD said. “SEZ strategies should be tailored to local contexts, identifying the types of zone and region that have the most potential.”

The number of SEZs in EBRD economies grew from less than 200 in 1990 to more than 1100 in 2020. Turkey was the EBRD economy with the most SEZs at 469, according to the study, and was followed by Egypt (147), Morocco (143) and Bulgaria (52).