Special Economic Zones in South Asia: Structural Change, Competitiveness and Growth
On the 7th of May 2024, the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics hosted a webinar, guided by Vice-Chancellor Professor Nadeem-ul-Haque, where I presented my newly released book titled ‘Special Economic Zones in South Asia: Structural Change, Competitiveness, and Growth.’ Dr. Iftikhar Ahmed, an Associate Professor at the Institute renowned for his expertise in Special Economic Zones (SEZs), moderated the session.
During the webinar, I shared my research findings on the development challenges in the South Asian region, focusing on structural change, growth, and competitiveness. Using both quantitative and qualitative analysis, I discussed the pivotal role of SEZs in the region’s economic landscape and examined factors influencing their competitiveness, offering recommendations for enhancing their effectiveness.
The audience responded positively, engaging in insightful discussions on topics including bureaucratic capabilities, policy decision-making, academia-government relations, and regional integration. It was rewarding to engage in such stimulating discourse with scholars across borders.
Reflecting on this experience, I am motivated to continue fostering cross-border interactions to address the diverse challenges hindering the region’s socio-economic progress.
