The Role of Special Economic Zones in Improving Effectiveness of Greater Mekong Subregion

The paper first reviews the global literature on SEZs and the history of SEZs in the GMS, with emphasis on particular features of border SEZs when two bordering countries have differing sources of comparative advantage. It also contains an in-depth analysis of Mae Sot, part of the Tak SEZ in Thailand close to the Myanmar border, utilizing a customized survey of 100 firms. Further empirical evidence is provided on the effectiveness of SEZs based on the extensive literature about and ADB site visits to SEZs in Savannakhet Province in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) and a bespoke client survey by ANZ Bank of firms in Cambodia, the Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam