The World Free Zone Organization (World FZO) presented more than two dozen exclusive online videos on April 30, 2020 on the occasion of the VI Annual International Conference (AICE), which was held with five panel discussions and interviews with global experts under the motto: “Creating Value in Free Trade Zones – Linking Stakeholders".
In a statement on Tuesday (05.05.2020), the World FZO explained that the IAEC adopted a unique and innovative approach under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to share knowledge through 30 videos at its global forum, aimed at free zone stakeholders. The material can be accessed for viewing with free registration at https://www.worldfzo.org/AICE-2020-Online-Event-Free-Registration.
More than 2.400 professionals from 130 countries registered On the first day of screening, twice the number of attendees who usually attend the annual World FZO event. This unprecedented success generated over 20,000 video impressions, driven by strong interest from the United Arab Emirates, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and the United States.
His Excellency the Dr. Mohammed Alzarooni, President of World FZO, one of the two keynote speakers, explained that “In the rapidly changing global industry landscape, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to help build resilience among our free zone stakeholders so that they can emerge from this crisis stronger, better structured and more prepared to handle the next set of challenges. «.
Another key contribution was provided by the Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi, Secretary-General of UNCTAD, who described “Regional Trade Patterns Under Pressure.”
Five separate panel discussions, featuring edited excerpts from dozens of interviews conducted digitally by the World FZO, addressed topics such as public-private sector dynamics, sustainability challenges, the role of incentives and regulation, and the balance between infrastructure investments and free labor. Speakers included leading authorities on global trade and investment, illicit trade, customs and border management, human capital, and free zone management.
Dr. Mohammed Alzarooni further commented that “We had to quickly adapt to turn our annual event into this unique online experience. No other organisation offers such depth and access, with such a high calibre of industry figures. The support we have received and the content we have delivered is unprecedented. «.
Richard Bolwijn, Head of the Research, Investment and Investment Enterprise Division, at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), discussed the latest World Investment Report 2019 published, noting that “Instead of generic free zones that appeal to all industries […] , we are seeing more specific types of investment promotion within free zones«.
Lars Karlsson, CEO of KGH Global Consulting, spoke about the future of customs borders and risk management, noting that "People say the lockdowns we've seen since COVID-19 will make it harder to trade«. I think the opposite.
El Dr. Robert Koopman, Chief Economist and Director of the Economic Research and Statistics Division of the World Trade Organization (WTO), examined New Models in Global Trade in Services, noting that “What we see in the Global Value Chain is the relative decline in the manufacturing component in the total value of a good and increasingly it is the value of the services integrated into the good that is taking a larger part of its final price. «.
El Dr. Piotr Stryszowski, Chief Economist at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), examined coordination and enforcement approaches to combat illicit trade, noting that “There are two problems when it comes to combating illicit trade from the perspective of the free zone. One is transparency, the other is access to data. «.
The videos are also available on the AICE website, along with films of the panels and full interviews with Dr. Gokhan Akinci, Technical Director of the International Finance Corporation, Arif Amiri, CEO of the Dubai International Financial Centre, Erik Autor, President of the National Free Zones Association of the USA, and Mohanud Helal, Secretary General of the Saudi Special Cities and Economic Zones Authority, along with many others.
Dr. Mohamed Alzarooni explained that “It was important to share our speakers' views on the issues affecting free trade zones around the world. Specifically, their opinions and advice on the current COVID-19 crisis and its business repercussions will provide valuable practical recommendations for our stakeholders everywhere. ".
Since the World FZO was established in 2014, the AICE has consistently provided constructive ideas and solutions to free zones around the world. This 2020 edition aims to go even further to help free zones and their stakeholders build resilience and achieve a quick recovery after the pandemic crisis. Complementing World FZO’s Free Zone of the Future programme and its flagship “Izdihar” index, this AICE provides expert advice to structure free zones into dynamic and flexible entities, better equipped to meet future challenges.
«We are entering a new era", said Dr. Mohamed Alzarooni, "where we will come together to consolidate a global network of free zones that will provide resilience, agility and adaptability to our members everywhere«He concluded.
A global organization
The World Free Zones Organisation (World FZO) is a global non-profit organisation that provides an authoritative and collective voice representing the interests of free zones around the world. Headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, since 2014, it aims to enhance the global contribution of free zones to economic prosperity and social development by promoting best practices, sharing industry knowledge in production, services and logistics, as well as supporting clean trade policies through standardised regulation, globally recognised certification programmes and robust compliance models among its 1000+ members in over 125 countries.
Aduana News is the first Argentine customs newspaper to launch its digital version. With 20 years of experience, its publications and initiatives aim to provide the most relevant knowledge on customs issues in order to contribute to safe trade in the region.
