World Economic Processing Zones Association Information

Founded in 1978 by the United Nations, WEPZA is the private non-profit World Association of Economic Processing Zones and Free Trade Zones. It is an independent association dedicated to the improvement of the efficiency of all Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Economic Processing Zones (EPZs) through: - Periodic exchange of information at WEPZA Conferences and Workshops - Recruiting and training SEZs EPZ Management - Research on markets and trade flows supplied to members as the WEPZADB database - Maintenance of the WEPZA Website on the Internet - Cooperative Transport arrangements to reduce costs - Networks of subcontracting and purchasing among zone factories - Cooperative promotion of SEZs and EPZs to manufacturers and services providers worldwide - Periodic discussions between SEZs and EPZs and the manufacturing/services community - Representing Free Zones, SEZs and EPZs before international bodies in defense of their interests and their freedoms Following 4 years of study WEPZA was founded at Manila, Philippines in 1978 by the UN as an organization of 29 governments experienced in the development of SEZs and EPZs. Since 1985 WEPZA has reached a total of 60 EPZs with operations in 66 countries as members. We have conducted 29 conferences and published key materials in the field for the past 32 years.