Rēzekne SEZ receives bespoke awards in two categories in “fDi Magzine” survey

Rēzekne SEZ has received two bespoke awards in the survey “Global Free Zones of the Year 2017” conducted by “fDi Magazine” of British newspaper “Financial Times”. Bespoke awards had been granted to Rezekne SEZ in categories “Expansions” and “Infrastructure upgrades”.

CEO of Rezekne SEZ Ms Sandra Ežmale emphasizes “Rezekne SEZ leverages its long-standing experience, favourable geographical location in crossroads of international transport corridors, competitive operating costs and availability of resources to become a major engine for the dynamic growth of Eastern Latvia”.

In the global survey bespoke award was granted to Rezekne SEZ in category “Expansions”, in which zones were evaluated based on decisions to expand taken by zone enterprises. In this category investments made by Rezekne SEZ “NewFuels” RSEZ SIA, “Energy Resources CHP” RSEZ SIA and “Rēzeknes Dzirnavnieks” RSEZ AS and their expansion in Rezekne SEZ was highlighted. In the category “Expansions” Rezekne SEZ has ranged after Klaipeda Free Economic Zone from Lithuania.

Highlighting implemented and planned projects of Rēzekne City and Rēzekne Municipality for improvement of entrepreneurship infrastructure in the territory of Rēzekne SEZ that are to be implemented until the end of 2018, in the survey Rēzekne SEZ has also received bespoke award on infrastructure upgrades. CEO of the zone acknowledges that “one of the main preconditions for successful investment attraction is coordinated cooperation between involved state, municipality and private sector representatives in questions of infrastructure development”. Bespoke awards in this category were granted to 8 free zones, including two zones from Latvia – Freeport of Ventspils and Rēzekne SEZ.

Altogether 66 free zones from the whole world participated in the research. Zones were evaluated based on filled out survey on zone attractiveness, infrastructure, as well as possibilities and incentives offered for investors. As a result of conducted survey “fDi Magazine” recognized DMCC Free Zone from United Arab Emirates as the global winner, meanwhile the Regional winner in Europe was Katowice Special Economic Zone from Poland. Alongside the main awards, bespoke awards in several categories were granted, two of which were granted to Rezekne SEZ. Summary of the results of the survey is available on page of fDi Intelligence.