Industrial and Commercial Area Development
AECOM International Development is a leading source of expertise in the design, assessment, and implementation of free zone and private industrial park projects globally. Our experts have undertaken more than 200 free zone, free port, export processing zone, special economic zone, and industrial and technology-park related projects in more than 80 countries. Many of our earlier projects are regarded as outstanding financial and economic successes.
The relevance of free zones, technology parks, and industrial estates has increased in today's global trading environment. International competition — and the increasing importance of logistical input in production value chains — have caused firms to migrate to centers of efficiency close to their marketplace. Strategic planning and the provision of serviced industrial land provide manufacturers with economies of scale in low-cost locations, increased reliability, and cash flow savings on duties and tariffs. New types of zones have emerged that cater to the specialized needs of technology, financial services, and the media.
The modern trend in free zones is for an increasingly liberal regime that is WTO-compliant, not restrictive of the types of activities, nor quantities of sales to the domestic market. This trend is reinforced by the growth in the number of large special economic zones that not only incorporate port, airport, and industrial facilities, but also entire cities and regions. In this respect, AECOM International Development brings to bear expertise in both industrial site selection and design and skills in urban planning and environmentally manageable growth.
AECOM International Development's industrial and commercial area development programs fall in five areas:
