Europe’s free zones are preparing for unite in a joint organization
With an aim to promote cooperation between free zones and ensure representation on the European level, meeting of the heads of Europe’s free zones took place in Barcelona on March 9, 2018, in which possibility to establish European Association of Free Trade Zones was discussed.
The representative of Latvia in the meeting was the CEO of Rēzekne SEZ Ms Sandra Ežmale. Overall representatives of Barcelona free zone (Spain), Group of Free Zones of Serbia and Pirot Free Zone (Serbia), Association of Free Zones of Lithuania and Free Zone Klaipeda (Lithuania), Starohoviche Special Economic Zone (Poland), Directorate of Free Zones of Macedonia and World Free Zones Organization participated in the event.
Various matters related to the possibility to establish European Free Trade Zones Association were discussed during the meeting, including its possible model of operation, functions and objectives, participants etc. The basis of the establishment of the organization is the wish for Europe’s free zones to unite for ensuring representation of interests on European level, as well as implementation of common projects and experience exchange.
Establishment of European Free Trade Zones Association has been initiated by Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona, which is operates already for 100 years, in cooperation with World Free Zones Organization. Interest in membership in the organization has been also shown by free zones from Russia, Croatia, Bosnia and Hercegovina.
Photo: Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona