Dr. Ali Abu Sedra

CV

From Fragmentation to Connectivity: SEZs as Platforms for International Economic Cooperation This presentation examines the role of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) as instruments of international economic cooperation in an increasingly fragmented global order. As geopolitical competition, sanctions, economic nationalism, and supply-chain disruptions reshape the global economy, SEZs have evolved beyond traditional export-promotion mechanisms into strategic legal and institutional platforms for international partnerships, infrastructure development, and investment governance. The paper analyzes comparative experiences such as the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor and Morocco-China industrial cooperation, highlighting how international partnerships, sovereign guarantees, and specialized legal frameworks contribute to successful SEZ development. It further explores how Libya can strategically utilize SEZs to position itself as a Mediterranean and African economic gateway through carefully structured international cooperation, investment protection mechanisms, and modernized governance frameworks. The presentation argues that in a fractured global order, SEZs may serve as flexible legal architectures capable of reconciling national sovereignty with global economic integration while mitigating geopolitical and investment risks.