Impact of Export Processing Zones on poverty reduction and trade facilitation in Sri Lanka

Export Processing Zones (EPZs) have been among the primary factors of export-oriented growth in recent decades. EPZs first came about in 1959 with the establishment of the Shannon Zone in Ireland. Following that, the first few zones were envisaged primarily as industrial zones that were to attract foreign investors to set up facilities to process imported materials and subsequently export their products. In the 1970s, EPZs were seen as playing one of the most important roles, with regard to employment strategies, that promoted export-oriented foreign investment. By 1997, 27 million workers were employed in more than 800 EPZs across the world.