The 11th World FZO World Congress opened on Oct. 10 in Haikou, the capital of China’s southern Hainan Province, where the largest free trade port in the world is under development. Themed “Zones: Gateways to Global Prosperity, Trade, and Sustainable Innovation”, the congress runs through Oct.12. The event  brings key players from the world’s free trade zones, government representatives, and business and industry experts from over 70 countries and regions together in the Hainan Free Trade Port. 

This year’s congress is organized by the World FZO and co-hosted by the Hainan Provincial Bureau of International Economic Development (Hainan IEDB), and features more than 30 seminars, parallel sessions, and conferences. Participants are invited to discuss and exchange ideas on topics such as boosting the global economy, promoting international trade, and the use of advanced technology.

The congress also provides Hainan with a great opportunity to showcase achievements in the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port and especially the province’s new potential after special customs operations begin this December, as well as to promote international cooperation and discussion through on-site promotions, themed seminars & discussions, exhibitions, and research tours.

The opening ceremony was held on the morning of Oct.10. Themed seminars and parallel sessions including “China’s Free Trade Ports: Reform, Growth and Global Integration”, “Transformative Success Stories: Free Trade Ports Driving Local and Global Growth”, and “Pathways to Prosperity: Zones and the Future of Trade” will be held in the coming days. The first, the “International Forum on the Transformation and Upgrading of China’s Comprehensive Bonded Zones”, will be held on the morning of Oct.12, with participants sharing experiences in free trade zone management and operation, and exploring a new path during this time of global uncertainty in economy and trade.

Over 50 participants including representatives from the World FZO and free trade zones and special economic zones, representatives from import-export associations across the world, economists, and scholars will deliver speeches during the congress.

Registered in Switzerland and headquartered in Dubai, UAE, the World FZO is an authoritative organization in the development and construction of free trade zones, with 1,500 members from 140 countries around the world.