超越关税和基础设施：营商便利度对促进非洲经济特区成功的重要性

Beyond Tariffs and Infrastructure: the Importance of Ease of Business in Driving the Success of Africa's Special Economic Zones

为了促进制造业发展并减少对初级商品的依赖,许多非洲国家正在试图促进经济特区的发展,这些经济特区能够通过集聚企业、吸引外国直接投资并促进出口进而提高生产率。但经济特区能否成功取决于地方政府是否能构建一个有利的政策环境。传统的政策大多针对基础设施和税收优惠两个方面,然而,有一些更加低成本且易操作的改革政策能够通过营商便利化对经济特区的成功产生巨大的影响。没有上述政策,经济特区最终将沦为一个昂贵的"负担"。本文旨在说明贸易便利化政策在促进非洲经济特区发展过程中所发挥的至关重要的作用。

In order to boost manufacturing and reduce reliance on primary commodities, many African countries are looking towards Special Economic Zones. These zones can raise productivity by clustering firms, attracting foreign direct investment （FDI）, and boosting exports. But to be successful, special economic zones （SEZs） depend on a helpful policy environment. The conventional focus of policy has been on infrastructure and tax incentives, but other reforms that make business easier can have a big impact while being cheap and simple. Without them, a SEZ would end up being an expensive ＇white elephant＇. We show that （within ease of business policies） trade facilitation policies can be particularly valuable.