Free & Special Economic Zones
For many decades, Free & Special Economic Zones have been an important policy tool to revitalize economies, first as a basis of commerce, and recently as real industrial areas. Since they are centers of production and trade, they have to be continuously adapted to the latest technologies, a need made even more important with the trend towards globalization. Free Zones, however, have in most cases grown without any technological basis or knowledge of their real possibilities, for lack of information and technical studies.
Some regional associations have been created in order to exchange experiences and improve management and operational efficiency, solving local problems in most cases; but the fact is that there remains a great technological and informational gap which hinders the development of Free Zones. International Organizations in Geneva were contacted by many governments which had asked them for help for their projects.
Why FEMOZA: Our Background and Motivation
WHO WE ARE
Juan Torrents signing the MoU between ASCAME and FEMOZA
To respond to these requests, FEMOZA – the Fédération Mondiale des Zones Franches – was founded in 1999. Our federation is a non-governmental organisation working on a non-profit basis. It was constituted in Switzerland under the laws of the canton of Geneva, its statutes and article 60 as well as the relevant clauses of the civil code. It is the only Swiss Organization representing the interests of Free & Special Economic Zones worldwide.
With enough capacity to assist and fill the market needs, FEMOZA received full support from the Swiss Government and from the Canton of Geneva, as well as an information and support infrastructure by the different divisions of the United Nations and other international institutions, including its observer status at UNIDO and UNCTAD.
Mr. Juan Torrents it is the current Chairman, but its origins go back to 1976 when former Vice-President, Mr. Peter F. Ryan, UNIDO’s Director and part of the leader Team, created WEPZA for UNDP/UNIDO in their Export Processing Zones program.
WHO WE ARE
Because of these requests, especially from emergent countries and developing countries, FEMOZA was founded in December of 1999. Our federation is a non-governmental organisation working on a non-profit basis. It was constituted in Switzerland under the laws of the canton of Geneva, its statutes and article 60 as well as the relevant clauses of the civil code. It is the only such Swiss Organization, representing the interests of Free Zones, Export Processing Zones [EPZ] and Special Economic Zones [SEZ] globally
With enough capacity to assist and fill the market needs, FEMOZA received full support from the Swiss Government and from the Canton of Geneva, as well as an information and support infrastructure by the different divisions of the United Nations and other international institutions.
Mr. Juan Torrents it is the current Chairman, but its origins go back to 1976 when former Vice-President, Mr. Peter F. Ryan, UNIDO’s Director and part of the leader Team, created WEPZA for UNDP/UNIDO in their Export Processing Zones program.
Our functions involve offering experience, issuing norms, rules and processes, training professionals and assisting with technical, legal and economic support.
Our methods to get these objectives and further these functions are based on the promotion of forums, projects, and workshops, the maintenance of a constant line of communication with and among our affiliates, as well as regular meetings with international, financial, social and environmental institutions.
About FEMOZA
WE SUPPORT
Free zones around the world, helping them set up, develop and grow.
WE GATHER
Free & Special Economic Zones, according to their different areas or their denomination, such as Export Processing Zones (EPZ), industrial, trade, services, tourism or logistics zones, Free Ports, Bonded Warehouses, etc. with the goal of sharing experiences, as well as information and technology.
WE PROTECT
Free & Special Economic Zones, so that they can keep revitalizing and improving economies. We study changes in international law, which may affect or restrict Free Zone facilities and operational advantages.
TRAINING
We work with training and help schemes, as well as technical consultancy, providing the know-how necessary for their development, organizing educational programs among the member Free Zones, either directly or through agreements with other institutions and organisations.
INFORMATION
We provide members access to our database and access to other international databases. Our members are also informed of updates through our website, social media and regular newsletters.
SHARING EXPERIENCE
We promote internships and employee exchange programs in order to acquire experience.
REINFORCING
We reinforce the policy option of Free Zones in the presence of international organisations by attending meetings and economic debates, by realizing technology transfers in agreement with user companies, by raising the industrial and labour level through training programs with the support and help of international organisations based in Geneva, and by keeping a permanent personal contact with these organisations.
CHANNELS
With an online platform including our website, social media and online projects.
Taking part in international forums.
Through business trips to countries and zones requesting it.
GOALS
To facilitate progress for Free & Special Economic Zones that will increase welfare.
To protect and improve the image and prestige of Free & Special Economic Zones.
To provide the best standards and common frameworks for Free & Special Economic Zones.
To incorporate and guide zones in the process of globalization.
ETHICAL CODE
Ensuring transparency in all projects and negotiations.
Ensuring compliance at all times to environmental, labour, and social regulations.
Maintaining clarity and neutrality in all our activities.
Maintaining a recognized and open ethical behaviour.
Genéve: Our City
“There are five parts of the world: Europe, Asia, America, Africa… and Geneva!”
– Talleyrand, the Congress of Vienna.
FEMOZA is based in Geneva, a global city, financial center, and worldwide diplomacy hub due to the presence of numerous international organizations, including the headquarters of many of the agencies of the United Nations and the Red Cross. In fact, Geneva is the city that hosts the highest number of international organizations in the world.
Geneva was ranked as the world’s ninth most important financial centre for competitiveness by the Global Financial Centres Index, ahead of Frankfurt, and third in Europe behind London and Zürich.