If the state of the state economy leaves much to be desired and is absolutely unattractive for foreign investors, then one of the ways out of this situation is special zones organized throughout the country. Within the framework of these individual territories, it is possible to conduct a completely different industrial, investment, fiscal and tariff policy.
What are special economic zones Russia? Why are they created? Why are such places attractive for investors and what benefits do they bring to the state? We will try to answer these and other questions in this article.
Special Zones
The advanced experience of creating such territories undoubtedly belongs to European countries. Nevertheless, Russia also has a fairly serious potential in this area. To date, more than two dozen SEZs have been registered in the country. The main special economic zones of Russia can be divided into several types:
- industrial;
- tourist;
- logistics;
- technological.
A little later, we will talk in more detail about the types of SEZs. Now let's talk about their location. The special economic zones of Russia include territories in Karachay-Cherkessia, Adygea, Kabardino-Balkaria, and Dagestan. This also includes the Kaliningrad region. The newly created ones include the Crimean peninsula.
Basic concepts
There is a rather confusing terminology in this area. Let's look into it a little. You have probably heard these expressions:
- special economic zone;
- free economic territory;
- zone;
- special economic zone.
How do you figure out what they all mean? There is nothing complicated here. All of the above are different names for the same phenomenon. The only exception here is that the concept also means free territory, but much smaller. Usually, a free trade zone is a physically separate territory in sea or air ports, where there is no customs duty at all. Classic example— Duty free.
Goals and conditions for the creation of the SEZ
Special economic zones of Russia are entire territories (districts, regions, republics) that have a special legal status. They have their own preferential economic conditions. As a rule, they are extremely beneficial for domestic or foreign investors. All legal entities conducting economic activities on the territory of the SEZ are referred to as its residents.
To create a SEZ, certain conditions must be met:
- good geographical location of the territory;
- availability of free space for development;
- developed infrastructure;
- attraction of human resources with sufficient qualifications;
- the possibility of developing interregional and international relations;
- the existence of historically established activities.
Why special zones are needed
All special economic zones of Russia are called upon to solve strategic problems. The creation of such territories contributes both to the development of the country as a whole and to the improvement of life in its individual regions. With the organization of the SEZ, the state solves the following tasks:
- creation a large number new jobs for citizens with sufficient qualifications;
- attraction to the country foreign capital;
- encouraging domestic producers to invest in advanced technologies, production, and infrastructure;
- retention of intellectual potential in the country;
- development and support of domestic producers.
Residents participating in the development of special economic zones also have their own advantages:
- use preferential taxation to reduce administrative and production costs;
- saving on various duties, rental rates and other payments, create a more competitive product;
- have the opportunity to attract qualified personnel;
- increase their revenue side by minimizing own costs.
In addition, the construction of infrastructure in the SEZ is carried out by the state most often at the expense of own funds. It also reduces the burden on residents.
What is the purpose of the SEZ?
As you already understood, all the special economic zones of Russia (the list of them is quite large) help to develop or develop new territories and economic sectors. A special regime is being created for entrepreneurs so that they can quickly reconfigure their business to new conditions. A classic example is the Crimea. This is a completely new territory, where all business has been adapted to the laws of Ukraine for a long time. Now entrepreneurs need time and perks to refocus it. Therefore, the state reduces taxes, simplifies the system of customs duties, adapts the insurance system and simplifies registration. The same is happening in other regions.
Privileges
There are preferential economic conditions for SEZ residents. For example, these:
- privileges in the field of trade - the absence of duties on imported raw materials or spare parts if they are needed for the production of the final product, and not for resale;
- investment incentives and relaxations in the field of taxation - reduced tax rates or their complete absence, reduction of currency control;
- minor restrictions or their complete absence on the ownership of production assets for foreigners;
- simplified standards for workplace equipment, wages, security issues and so on;
- affordable buildings and land— the ability to equip warehouses and industrial premises on the terms of the minimum rental price;
- accessible and affordable services and infrastructure – subsidies for utilities, cheap gas, water, electricity, repaired roads, provision of transport services;
- reduced standards of environmental pollution, its protection;
- Availability a large number cheap labor force, lack of trade unions and other organizations of workers;
- open access to sales markets - both internal and external;
- long-term absence of income tax;
- carrying out customs procedures directly on the territory of the enterprise or expedited obtaining of permits, etc.
Types of special economic zones
As we have already said, all zones with special economic conditions can be divided into the following types:
"Alabuga"
Now let's take a closer look at some of the SEZs in Russia. Let's start with the IP SEZ "Alabuga". This industrial production zone is located in the Republic of Tatarstan, not far from the city of Yelabuga, just 25 km from Naberezhnye Chelny.
The specialization here is quite diverse:
- production of buses and automotive components;
- manufacturing household appliances;
- furniture manufacturing;
- high-tech chemical production;
- aviation construction.
42 residents are registered in this territory, and in total more than 4.5 thousand people are employed. The area of the zone is 20 square kilometers.
In order to become a resident of this complex, you need:
- register your company on the territory of the Yelabuga municipality;
- sign an agreement with the management of the SEZ, undertaking to make investments in their funds in the amount of at least 1 million euros during the first year and total investments for the entire period of the agreement - at least 10 million euros.
Entrepreneurs who have become residents of the Alabuga economic zone can count on the following preferences:
SEZ "Dubna"
This is a technology and innovation zone, created in 2005 on the basis of Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 781.
The territory of the SEZ "Dubna" has an area of about 200 hectares and is divided into three sections:
- town of programmers;
- nanotechnology platform;
- section of nuclear-physical technologies.
The priority areas of this SEZ are:
- design of complex technical systems;
- biotechnology;
- complex medical technologies;
- Information Technology;
- nuclear physics and nanotechnologies.
Residents of this zone can become both individual entrepreneurs and commercial organizations. The only exception is unitary enterprises and foreign firms. To become a resident of the SEZ "Dubna", you need to register an enterprise on the territory of the municipality and conclude an agreement with the management bodies on implementation activities.
Residents of this special economic zone can also count on privileged conditions in the field of taxation and other types of support. may be like this:
- no VAT when exporting goods abroad;
- zero rate of income tax credited to federal budget until 01.01.2018;
- 13.5% - income tax payable to the local budget;
- 14% - payments to off-budget funds;
- 0% - rate land tax for a period of 5 years, property tax- for 10 years, transport tax- for 5 years.
Residents are also entitled to other preferences:
- preferential rent of premises and land plots;
- free connection to engineering networks and communications;
- accelerated execution of documents for land plots;
- free customs zone;
- high-speed data transmission systems.
Also, residents are offered the conditions of a free customs zone, under which import duty on foreign goods and VAT are not paid when exporting Russian goods.
"Altai Valley"
SEZ TRT "Altai Valley" is a tourist and recreational area. It was established in February 2007 on the basis of Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 67. The privileged position is provided for 49 years.
This zone is located 12 km from the city of Gorno-Altaisk, the center of the Altai Republic. About 2.5 thousand people are provided with new jobs here. The territory offers unique opportunities for its residents. Cooperation is built on the principles of public and private partnership. This means that the creation of all the necessary infrastructure is financed from the budget, and the creation of tourist facilities is the share of private investment.
The state guarantees significant administrative benefits:
- non-interference in the implementation of investment projects;
- simplified format of checks;
- "one window" mode;
- registration of lease for land plots with a regulated legal status.
Investors are also waiting for tax benefits:
- 0% - property tax rate, as well as land tax for 5 years;
- payment for the lease of land - no more than 2% of their cadastral value;
- lowering the transport tax rate;
- reduction of income tax to 15.5%.
"Turquoise Katun"
SEZ TRT "Turquoise Katun" is another recreational and tourist zone. It has the largest area among all existing - 3326 hectares. "Turquoise Katun" is positioned as the first and largest zone of natural and extreme mountain tourism, divided into two parts. The first is for youth. There are centers for skiers, rock climbers, rafters, trackers, a youth hotel and other adapted infrastructure. The second is for wealthy tourists. There are comfortable and expensive hotels and other amenities.
This economic zone, in fact, is just beginning its development, but already has a significant number of investors who are ready to invest money on attractive terms. After all, residents are also offered benefits and preferences here.
"Titanium Valley"
The SEZ "Titanium Valley", created in the Sverdlovsk region, is also quite unique. The direction of the SEZ is the titanium industry, which is exclusive on the territory of the Russian Federation. Here, significant benefits are provided to enterprises focused on the production and high-tech processing of world-class products. Priority industries here are considered the processing of titanium and the production of products from it, the manufacture of equipment for metallurgical complexes and mechanical engineering, the production of building materials.
"Ulyanovsk"
SEZ PT "Ulyanovsk" is also focused on mechanical engineering and instrumentation. Here in honor are the following activities:
- instrument making, electronics production;
- aircraft industry;
- Maintenance aircraft;
- production of electrical equipment;
- production of composite materials;
- other branches of engineering.
In conclusion, I would like to say about non-resident entrepreneurs conducting their activities on the territory of a particular SEZ. Most often, they also have the opportunity to count on part of the preferences provided for residents, since the conditions for their activities must be negotiated with the management of the SEZ.
For example, in such an economic zone as the Kaliningrad region, reduced tax on profit applies to absolutely all enterprises, regardless of the type economic activity and product groups. That is why starting a business is the most interesting in the territory of the SEZ. Of course, if we are talking about earnings.
At present, free economic zones have firmly entered the world economic practice and are integral part international economic relations. In the system of world economic relations, free economic zones appear mainly as a factor accelerating international trade, mobilizing investments, exchanging technologies and information, and deepening economic integration processes.
Free economic zones- dedicated territories with preferential customs, tax, currency regimes which encourage the inflow of foreign capital into industry and services, joint production trade with foreign capital and other types of entrepreneurial activity, and the development of export capital.
Purposes of creation free economic zones can be:
- giving impetus to the economic development of the fringing region with the active use foreign investment;
- growth of the export potential of the country's territory;
- organization of production and supply to domestic market high-quality import-substituting goods;
- mastering modern experience in organizing and managing production, training personnel, functioning of economic entities in a market environment, working out adaptation models different systems economic management.
Under certain conditions, free economic zones accelerate inclusion in world economic relations, stimulate the economic development of the country as a whole, act as poles economic growth. Free economic zones can serve as instruments of state regulation foreign economic relations and.
From a functional point of view, free economic zones can be divided into:- foreign trade where duty-free trade is combined with the development of transport and storage services and export production;
- technology parks and technopolises, focused on innovative processes, development and mastering of high technologies;
- integrated production areas, focused on the export production of non-material-intensive consumer goods (from toys to electronics),
- , where in limited areas are created preferential terms for operations of non-residents with foreign exchange in terms of registration, taxation, banking secrecy, etc.
In the territories of free economic zones, the regime of a free (duty-free) customs zone may be applied.
Reasons for creating free economic zones
AT industrially developed countries SEZs were often created to revitalize small and medium-sized businesses in areas affected by the economic depression and were aimed at alignment of interregional differences. Small and medium-sized enterprises created in them received maximum tax benefits. Thus, in developed countries, the SEZ is used mainly as tool, in those regions where it is necessary to increase the level of economic and social development.
As criteria for choosing a territory for creating a special economic zone, the unemployment rate and the level of money are used.
Unlike industrialized countries developing countries placed emphasis on attraction of foreign capital, technology, industrial upgrading, workforce development, achieving more high level industrialization.
Classification of free economic zones
| Trading- are one of the simplest forms of SEZ. They have existed since the 17th and 18th centuries. They are available in many countries, but they are most common in industrialized countries. | Industrial production- belong to the second generation zones. They arose as a result of the evolution of trade zones, when they began to import not only goods, but also capital. | Techno-innovative- belong to the zones of the third generation (1970-80s). They concentrate national and foreign research firms using a single system tax incentives. | Service zones are territories with a preferential regime for entrepreneurial activity for firms and organizations providing various financial, economic, insurance and other services. | Complex- are formed by establishing a special, preferential regime for managing on the territory of individual administrative entities. |
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World experience in creating free economic zones
As of July 2006, according to various expert sources, there are 1200 - 2000 free economic zones in the world various types: from duty free zones and free ports to free enterprise zones, offshore zones and technopolises.
Free economic zones have broad prospects both in the world and in our country. This is evidenced by the dynamic pace of development of SEZs in quantitative terms and in terms of the total volume of output in them.
Free economic zones in the Russian economy
Free economic zones are considered in the world as an active means public policy. In the history of post-Soviet Russia, the first such zones arose as early as 1990, and subsequently, for 15 years, the process of their creation and functioning proceeded haphazardly. This was due both to the lack of a legislative framework and to the constant struggle of the regions and the federal center for maximum benefits for free zones and the right to control them.
However, now the situation has changed dramatically, a fundamentally new stage of the project for the development of free (special) economic zones on the territory of Russia has begun. The beginning of a new stage is associated with the adoption of the Federal Law of July 22, 2005 No. 116-FZ " On special economic zones in the Russian Federation". This law laid down a single legal basis creation and functioning of special economic zones on the territory of Russia.
Reasons for creating a free economic zone in Russia:- attracting investments from both foreign and Russian companies;
- stimulating the development of regions;
- development of high-tech industries and services;
- creation of highly skilled jobs.
The federal law "On Special Economic Zones in the Russian Federation" provides for the creation creation of special economic zones of two types: industrial-production and technical-innovative. On the territory of the special economic zone, it is allowed to conduct only those types of activities that are provided for by this law, as well as by a decree of the Government of the Russian Federation.
Law No. 116-FZ formulates the basic principles of SEZ taxation, the main of which include the provision of tax benefits.
Participants in export production zones are provided with significant benefits, which can be supplemented by the subjects of the Federation at the expense of:
- exemption from for a period of 5 years from the date of registration;
- reduction of taxable income by the amount of profit directed to investments after 5 years;
- a 50% reduction in value added tax on goods of own production sold in the Russian Federation (also for a period of 5 years from the date of registration);
- exemption from services for the transportation of goods.
In any case, free economic zones require the investment of large budgetary funds for their organization and the creation of the necessary infrastructure.
Main characteristics of Russian SEZs
| Location of the SEZ | Specialization of the SEZ | Public investment in zone infrastructure | |
| St. Petersburg | Production software, communications and consumer electronic equipment. Development and production of analytical instruments. | About 1.5 billion rubles, including 50% from the federal budget | |
| Dubna, Moscow region | Electronic instrumentation, design of new aircraft, development of alternative energy sources. | 2.5 billion rubles, of which 65% from the federal budget | |
| Zelenograd | Development and development of microcircuits, intelligent navigation systems. | 5 billion rubles, including 50%% from FB | |
| Tomsk | Information and communication, electronic and medical technologies, as well as the production of new materials | About 1.9 billion rubles. (70% from FB) | |
| Lipetsk | Manufacture of household appliances and accessories for it | 1.8 billion rubles (42% from FB) | |
| Elabuga, Tatarstan | Production of automotive components, buses, household appliances. High-tech chemical production. | 1.6 billion rubles (49% from FB) |
The success of the SEZ creation program in Russia directly depends on the extent to which it will be possible to create economic system, as close as possible to the ideal - with clear rules of the game, minimal bureaucratic costs and a maximum competitive environment, which would make the investment climate in the zone the most favorable.
What are free economic zones and why are they needed?
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Free economic zones (FEZ) called separately allocated territories of the country, which have preferential currency, tax, customs regimes. The FEZ encourages the formation of export capital and the inflow of foreign capital into the service sector and industry, as well as joint trading and other business activities with foreign capital.
SEZ is an integral part of economic relations at the international level today. This system of relations is firmly entrenched in world economic practice. SEZs in the global system of economic relations are an important factor in rapid economic growth, which is achieved through various actions: the exchange of information and technologies, the deepening of integration economic action, mobilization of investments, activation of international trade.
Objectives of SEZ formation:
- creation of production and supply to the domestic market of import-substituting goods of high quality;
- mastering new work experience, organizing and managing personnel, training personnel, testing various models of economic management systems, mastering the functioning of individual economic entities in the market environment;
- activation of the rapid growth of the export potential of the economic zone;
- motivation for the economic development of the regions surrounding the territory of the free economic zone with the use of foreign capital.
Creating acceptable conditions makes SEZ an important factor in economic development countries, which helps speed up the inclusion national economy in world economic relations, as well as to stimulate the development of the country's economy as a whole. In fact, SEZs act as poles of economic growth. It is an active external management tool. economic ties at the level regional policy and state level.
Types of SEZs in terms of functionality:
- offshore zones, in which preferential tax, currency, registration and banking conditions for non-residents of the country;
- complex production zones, which are created primarily for the export production of consumer goods that do not require material-intensive costs;
- technopolises and technological parks, which are created with a focus on the development and development of innovative technologies;
- foreign trade zones, where a combination of duty-free trade and the development of transport, storage services and export production is possible.
Also, SEZs can be characterized by the use on their territory duty-free customs territory.
Reasons for the formation of SEZ
SEZs are created in industrialized countries in regions with economic depression in order to revive medium and small businesses and thus level out interregional differences. Enterprises in such regions receive the maximum possible tax benefits. SEZ is an instrument of regional policy, which is used in those areas of countries where an increase is required economic level, as well as the level of social development.
When choosing a region for the formation of a free economic zone, criteria such as the income level of the population of the region and the unemployment rate are used.
Developing countries, in contrast to industrialized ones, primarily focus on achieving a higher level of industrialization: modernizing industry, attracting foreign capital, improving the skills of workers, and introducing new technologies.
FEZ classification
Complex SEZs create with the establishment of a preferential regime of management in the territories of individual administrative entities. These include:
- Special Economic Zones
- Special regime territories
- Special Economic Zones
- Free Enterprise Zones
Service zones- territories with preferential business activities for organizations and firms that provide insurance, financial, economic and other services:
- Tourist services
- Banking and insurance services
- offshore
Industrial production economic zones- these are the FEZ of the 2nd generation, which appeared as a result of the transformation of trade zones after capital was also imported there in addition to goods:
- Export-import-substituting
- Export production
- Import-substituting
- industrial parks
- Scientific and industrial parks
Technological innovation economic zones belong to the zones of the 3rd generation (1970-1980s). They concentrate foreign and national research organizations that use single system tax breaks:
- Innovation Centers
- Technoparks
- Technopolises
Trade zones- the simplest form of SEZ, which appeared in the 17-18 centuries. Trade zones operate in most countries, but most of them are located in industrial countries:
- Trade and production
- Free ports
- Bond warehouses
- Free customs
World experience in organizing free economic zones
According to data for July 2006 according to various expert sources, there are from 1200 to 2000 free economic zones of various functional types in the world. The dynamics of the rate of SEZs in quantitative terms and in terms of the total volume of production in them speaks of the great prospects for this direction in our country and in the world as a whole.
In world practice, SEZs are used as active agent management at the state level. The first such zones in Russia appeared in 1990. For more than 15 years, the process of their formation and functioning has been going on, which did not have a well-established system. The reason for this was not only the lack of a legislative framework, but also the constant struggle of the federal center with the regions for favorable benefits for FEZs, as well as for the right to manage them.
Now the situation has undergone major changes. Today, one can observe the development of a fundamentally new stage in the creation and operation of the SEZ in the territory of the Russian Federation. These changes are related to the federal law "On Special Economic Zones in the Russian Federation" adopted on July 22, 2005. The creation of this Federal Law marked the beginning of the creation of a unified legal framework and the system of functioning of the SEZ on the territory of the Russian Federation.
Reasons for the formation of SEZ in the territory of the Russian Federation:
- the need to create highly qualified jobs;
- creation and further development of various industries, including high-tech, as well as the service sector;
- motivation of the country's regions for economic and social development;
- attraction of Russian and foreign companies.
The adopted federal law provided for the formation of FEZs of 2 types on the territory of our country: special technology and innovation zones and industrial production zones. Also, the law provides for conducting in the territories of the SEZ only such types of activities that are discussed by law and provided for by a decree of the Government of the Russian Federation.
The federal law clearly formulates the main conditions for the taxation of the SEZ, the main of which states the provision of maximum tax benefits.
All participants in export production zones receive significant benefits regarding federal tax, which at the expense of local taxes can be supplemented by the subjects of the Federation:
- exemption of participants from VAT on goods transportation services;
- exemption of participants from the date of registration for a period of 5 years from income tax;
- a 50% reduction in value added tax for participants in the zone for products of own production, which are sold in the territory;
- reduction of taxable income by the amount of profit invested in investments, at the end of the 5-year period.
It must be understood that the organization and creation of the necessary infrastructure of the SEZ cannot be carried out without serious investments. Money from the budget.
The main characteristics of the SEZs located on the territory of the Russian Federation
| Location of the SEZ | Specialization of the SEZ | Government investment in SEZ infrastructure |
| St. Petersburg | Development, production of analytical instruments. Release of electronic household equipment and software | 1.5 billion rubles (50% from FB) |
| Dubna, Moscow region | Developments alternative source energy, design and creation of new aircraft, electronic instrumentation | 2.5 billion rubles, (65% from FB) |
| Yelabuga, Tatarstan | Development of high-tech chemical production. Production of household appliances, buses and automotive components | About 1.6 billion rubles. (49% from FB) |
| Lipetsk | Production of household appliances and component goods | 1.8 billion rubles (42% from FB) |
| Tomsk | Release latest materials. Development of medical, electronic and information and communication technologies | 1.9 billion rubles (70% from FB) |
| Zelenograd | Development of highly intelligent navigation systems, microcircuits | About 5 billion rubles. (50% from FB) |
An ideal free economic zone is a zone with clear rules, maximum competitive environment and minimum bureaucratic costs. The creation and success of the development of SEZs in Russia directly depend on how close they will be to this scheme. The successful formation of SEZs on the territory of the Russian Federation will help create the most favorable investment climate in the zones.
8.4. Free economic zones: concept, types, their formation in Russia
Free economic zones (SEZ) represent one of the diverse forms of international economic relations, the prototypes of which were used by individual states in the XIV-XV centuries. in the form of "free" cities and ports at the intersection of trade routes to attract trade flows *.
* First SEZ was established in 1547 in the Italian city of Livorno, which was declared a city of free trade.
With the development of the world economy and trade in the XIX century. and the deepening of the internationalization of national economies in the 20th century. SEZ as a form of international economic relations has become widespread and has significantly changed its economic content. The evolution of the SEZ was carried out from simple organizational and functional forms, mainly related to trade in goods, to more complex ones, focused on the production of mass consumer products, the development and production of new goods, the provision of various kinds of services, etc.
The evolution of the FEZ is associated primarily with the intensification of the use of scientific and technological achievements, major shifts in the structure of the economy of industrialized countries, as well as with the collapse of the colonial system. As a result, new areas of application for investment have opened up both in the industrialized countries themselves and in countries pursuing industrialization policies. At the same time, the concentration of capital of industrial monopolies and the centralization of banking resources also contributed to the search for and creation of additional incentives for expanding investment abroad compared to those that existed before. Under these conditions, free zones with a purely commercial orientation, free enterprise zones that did not require large initial capital, a long preparatory period, complicated plans actions or extensive connections with enterprises abroad, did not meet the requirements of the global investment market.
Completely new areas of investment were required: the creation of high-tech industries, the improvement of the use of imported and local resources, the acceleration of the development of modern infrastructure, and so on. In this regard, new organizational forms of zones began to appear in various countries, differing from free enterprise zones and free export zones in a wider range of functions, a more complex economic mechanism of functioning, and expanded opportunities for international cooperation.
In the 80s. after the adoption of a number of measures aimed at overcoming stagnation in certain industries, banking and insurance, in a number of regions of industrialized countries, special economic zones: technology parks, scientific and technical, free banking, free insurance. A distinctive feature of these zones was that their creation involved not so much the attraction of foreign capital as the provision of preferential treatment for periods of 10 to 20 years. Examples of such zones are those established in Great Britain, Italy, the USA, and France.
Thus, the FEZ as a form of international cooperation in its dynamic development has undergone significant transformations. This is also the reason for the many definitions of what is general sense understood under the term SEZ. To date, you can find up to 30 definitions of SEZ, in essence, synonyms. According to the definition of UN experts, “FEZs are limited industrial areas, which are part of the country's territory with duty-free customs and trade regime, where foreign firms producing products mainly for export enjoy a number of tax and financial incentives.
Among the most common special economic zones in the world are:
Customs zones;
Duty free shopping areas;
Customs free zones;
Foreign trade zones;
Duty-free export-production zones;
Free export zones;
Export-production zones;
Free economic zones;
Free production zones;
Economic Favored Zones;
Industrial export-oriented zones;
Free industrial zones;
Entrepreneurial zones;
Joint Venture Zones;
Zones of technical and economic development;
Development zones of new high technology;
Techno-innovative zones;
Scientific and industrial parks;
Offshore centers;
International offshore centers;
Free banking zones;
Ecological and economic regions;
open areas;
Tourist centers.
The general principles for all types and varieties of SEZs are:
Locality of the territory;
The absence of customs duties (or their fixation at a minimum level) for the import (export) of equipment, semi-finished products and finished products, with the maximum simplification of all procedures related to export-import operations;
Preferential tax regime;
Free circulation of convertible currency in conditions of general freedom of cross-country financial transactions;
Guarantees against confiscation of foreign property and providing companies operating in the FEZ with an additional range of benefits and privileges.
At the beginning of 1990, there were at least 600 zones in the world, including more than 200 in developed countries, another 100 were under construction and 50 were at the design stage. 1.5 million people were employed in the SEZs of developing countries. According to some estimates, by the mid-90s. the number of employed in them will increase to 2.5-3 million people, and the value of exports will increase from 12-13 billion US dollars to 25 billion US dollars. In the US, SEZs have been created in 47 states, their number is 247 (in 1986), and the total turnover has reached 40 billion US dollars.
Classification of existing SEZs can be carried out according to many criteria (see Figure 8.7). So, by degree of integration two types of SEZ can be distinguished in the world and national economy: extravertive - having an enclave character and oriented to the external market, and introverted - integrated into the national economy.
FEZ classification by industry causes certain difficulties, since enterprises belonging to various industries are located in the export production zones (EPZ). Nevertheless, a certain industry specialization is present.
By nature of property SEZ can be divided into public, private and mixed. The most common form of FEZ ownership in world practice is a mixed type, where, along with state ownership, there is private ownership.
The most important criterion for the classification of SEZs is their division onthe nature of the activity, or functional purpose. According to this criterion, five main types of zones are distinguished: free trade zones; export production zones; scientific and industrial parks; offshore centers and complex SEZ(see fig. 8.8 and 8.9). Let's consider some of them.
Free Trade Zones (FTZs) belong to the SEZ of the first generation. This is the oldest and simplest form of organizing zonal structures on the territory of one state. The main advantage of an FTZ is the relatively low country capital investment and its rapid payback.
Free trade zones include territories whose functions are mainly limited to the import, storage, sorting, packaging and transshipment of goods without their additional processing. In some cases, minor processing of foreign goods is allowed for the purpose of their further re-export. Despite certain benefits derived from customs duties, as well as due to savings on overhead costs, the possibilities of such zones in the development of export production, the involvement of national material and labor resources are very limited. Therefore, this type of SEZ in its pure form is not widely used in modern international practice.
The main purpose of creating an FTA is to stimulate the import of goods, the development of domestic and transit trade. The first free trade zones were formed in large port cities and had the status of "free port". free port - it is a port city with an adjacent vast territory separated from the common customs border of the state. Within the free port, goods were not only unloaded, stored, but also subjected to minor processing, sorting and packaging without paying customs duties until they got into the country.
In modern conditions, free trade zones are created around international transit hubs (airports, sea and river ports, railway stations, etc.) in order to intensify foreign economic activity. Currently, there are about 180 FTZs in the United States (of which 80% of cargo flows are accounted for by 15 major FTZs led by San Francisco), there are 150 FTZs in Europe, and 23 in Japan.
Export production zones (EPZ) can be attributed to the SEZ of the second generation. Unlike free trade zones, which primarily stimulate the development of imports of goods and domestic trade, FTZs are designed to expand export potential, develop foreign trade and, accordingly, increase foreign exchange earnings.
EPZs were created, on the one hand, by re-profiling, evolution and transformation of free trade zones, when not only goods, but also capital began to be imported into the territory allotted for them, and they began to engage not only in trade, but also in production. This applies mainly to industrialized countries. On the other hand, EPZs were created through the purposeful formation of FEZs focused on the production of goods for export. This is typical for newly industrialized and developing countries.
Creation of FTE in developing countries reflected the general trend towards changing the import-substituting model to an export-oriented one through the development of industries specializing in the production of goods for the foreign market. New strategy organically fit into the restructuring of industrialized countries, when there was the formation of the largest TNCs and the active transfer of individual industries of the manufacturing industry to developing countries, which is ideal in the conditions of the EPZ. It was TNCs that played the most important role in the creation of the FTE and the formation of the export potential of developing countries.
The first FTEs in developing countries appeared in the early 70s, and in the 80s. there were about 70 of them in 40 developing countries. By the beginning of the 90s. the total number of FTEs registered in 120 countries rose to 300.
In industrialized and newly industrialized countries, science-intensive industries are becoming a priority for economic development. This trend was reflected in the process of transforming the functional purpose of the SEZ and the emergence of zones specializing in the development and production of high technology products. These zones are called scientific and industrial parks (SIP), technoparks, technopolises, which belong to the zonal structures of the third generation.
The principles of organization of the NPP are similar to the formation of the FEP: the same territory and economic isolation, state support in the form of foreign exchange allocations, financial and tax benefits, export orientation. The main but important difference between NPP and EPZ is that EPZ is created to organize large-scale, labor-intensive production, and NPP is for the development of fundamentally new products and technologies, materials and goods, experimental, small-scale production of science-intensive products is carried out here.
Upon receipt of positive results of marketing research on the prospects for the sale of new products, industrial production of competitive products intended for export can be established. In addition, if EPZs are established near major seaports, airports, then NPPs are organized near universities, colleges or research centers.
Since the middle of the XX century. To date, more than 400 technology parks have been created in the world. In 1995, there were 100 technology parks in the USA, 60 in Germany, 52 in China, 40 in Great Britain, 30 in France, 27 in Russia, 20 in Japan, South Korea and Singapore - 10 each. Among them, the most famous are: in the USA - "Silicon Valley", technoparks of North Carolina and the University of Utah; in the UK - the technology park of the University of Cambridge; in Japan - the town of science Tsukuba; in China - technopark "Nanhu"; in Russia - the International Center for the Development of Science and Technology (ICSTD) "Dubna", technopolis "Zelenograd".
One of the types of SEZs are offshore centers, whose specialization was the provision of certain types of services to foreign investors related to the provision of national jurisdiction, which is distinguished by a preferential regime for the implementation of financial, banking and other service operations, as well as preferential taxation - the so-called "tax havens".
The emergence of these SEZs is due to the rapid development of the global financial services market, the desire of foreign capital to reduce political and economic risks, to find "secret" corners in the "stormy" world that provide the most complete confidentiality and security for capital owners. Therefore, historically, states that attract foreign investors through offshore jurisdictions do not have significant labor and raw materials, as well as territories. At the same time, these states have an advantageous location - at the crossroads of sea routes with a favorable natural climate, have a relatively developed infrastructure and, importantly, are distinguished by stable political power and legislation.
Offshore jurisdictions are most often small independent states (in the past, many of them were colonies) or separate territories with a special state status. This may be a self-governing possession of the metropolis, a leased territory or a state entity that still has the status of a colony. The authorities of these jurisdictions stimulate the development of the offshore services sector in order to attract foreign capital, increase employment and increase business activity.
A regime close to offshore can be used by special economic zones, areas of ports and airports. At the same time, registration of offshore enterprises is carried out not only by “dwarf” jurisdictions, but also by some quite respectable states (for example, Ireland, Switzerland and many other countries) or separate territories within them.
A typical offshore jurisdiction provides investors with a certain standard set of options. It includes the registration of non-resident and exempt companies, as well as the creation of other types of offshore structures - business partnerships, offshore trusts, specialized offshore companies (banks, insurance companies and investment institutions). In offshore jurisdictions, as a rule, the services of nominee owners, secretaries (agents) of companies, nominee directors are widely available.
The simplest scheme of offshore operations is based on the most universal principle of tax legislation, according to which those incomes, the source of which is located in the territory of a given state, are subject to mandatory taxation. In cases where the source of income is located abroad or localized insufficiently, it may be excluded from tax liability in this jurisdiction. This situation arises, for example, in the provision of intermediary services, services in foreign trade, in the consulting business and other sectors of this sector. Income received in this way can be transferred to the accounts of offshore companies.
The meaning of offshore business is that a new, “independent” entity of economic relations appears abroad, which is completely under the control of a foreign investor. An offshore company may look like an independent foreign partner of a foreign investor. This is the basis for the most common ways to minimize the national tax burden of a foreign investor using offshore firms. An offshore company is not only a tax planning tool, but also a means of managing risk and increasing the reliability of capital investment.
Offshore company is an enterprise that has a special organizational and legal status, which provides it with the maximum reduction in tax losses, as a rule, to zero. This status is usually associated with the requirement to conduct business operations outside the jurisdiction where this offshore company is officially registered. Only in this case, it is exempt from all or most of the taxes in the territory of the parent jurisdiction.
Legislation usually prescribes that the management of an offshore company, including the establishment of a functioning office, is also carried out outside the territory of registration. That is, an offshore company in most cases cannot be a resident of its official jurisdiction. This is where the term “offshore” comes from, which first appeared in the UK and literally means “beyond the shores”, outside the country.
Thus, the main features of an offshore company are related to its non-resident status. This means that the center of command and control of the offshore company is located abroad. For its functioning, it is sufficient to have the formal attributes of the company - owners, directors (usually at least two directors are required), articles of association, bank account, and a set of registration documents. The laws of an offshore jurisdiction usually require that the registered office and the secretary (and/or agent) of the company be located on its territory. This office cannot be operational, but is merely an address where the authorities or others can contact a representative of such a company. Even the very fact of signing contracts in the territory of offshore jurisdiction can serve as a basis for depriving a company of offshore status.
An important principle and advantage of offshore business is that confidentiality of ownership an offshore company is provided by the institution of nominee owners and nominee directors. The registration documents do not indicate the names of real owners, but nominal persons. Services of nominee owners are provided by secretarial companies that specialize in a range of services for the registration of offshore companies.
The basic principle of tax planning when organizing offshore companies is obvious: the profit center (offshore company) is located in the "tax haven". Income from activities in different geographic areas goes to a tax-friendly jurisdiction.
The main mechanism for tax minimization through offshore schemes can be described as transactions based on regulated intercompany prices (ie, when transactions are concluded between firms controlled by the same person). First of all, the operation of intra-company (transfer) prices is carried out in trade in goods and services. The difference between the intra-company (transfer) and actual price becomes a source of income for firms in offshore jurisdictions.
Another group of intra-company (transfer) operations should include operations on the international transfer of income, capital and special types of assets (for example, intangible). Providing direct (i.e. leading to the acquisition of control over other enterprises) or portfolio (financial) investments also falls within the “competence” of offshore firms. It is common for investment income to be channeled through special companies in transfer-friendly jurisdictions to typical tax havens. Income can be transferred in the form of dividends, interest, royalty payments, rent, insurance premiums, etc.
Offshore jurisdictions in relation to taxation are divided into two types. The first - these are actually offshore areas and jurisdictions related to "tax havens", which are characterized by the absence of tax on the profits of preferential companies, but they are mainly excluded from the scope of international tax treaties (Isle of Man, Gibraltar, Bahamas, Panama, Turks and Caicos ). to the second type include jurisdictions with “moderate” tax conditions, i.e. a certain income tax is levied here. The advantages of these jurisdictions are due to the favorable system of international tax treaties that they have. In addition, in "moderate" jurisdictions there are benefits for companies of certain types, primarily holding, financial, licensed ones.
The states of Western Europe - Switzerland, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium, Austria - are usually classified as zones with "moderate" taxation conditions. There are a number of "combined" jurisdictions that combine features of different types. This kind of "optimal" jurisdictions can be reckoned primarily with Cyprus, as well as Ireland.
The functions of offshore companies are not limited to tax planning. They are also created for risk management. Risk management with offshore firms is achieved by creating a flexible and mobile system of asset redistribution in order to minimize risks and increase the stability of an international enterprise. In the event of signs of instability or other risks, offshore structures allow you to quickly transfer capital to a more reliable area and create a safe haven for it, for example, a trust.
A high level of reliability is ensured by establishing an international trust managed by its own offshore company. It is possible that a company or a group of associated enterprises open current accounts in their own, offshore bank, specially created for this purpose. Risk management can also be considered as operations for currency insurance, as well as other insurance schemes for market risks.
Offshore companies, their representative offices and firms in some jurisdictions serve as the headquarters of the operational management of an international company. A holding company in a preferential, "holding" jurisdiction can act as such a structure. It should be noted that some privileged jurisdictions provide privileges for certain types of business: ship ownership, real estate management, innovation activities, banking and financial companies, holding companies, etc.
Thus, in modern offshore centers, a kind of “specialization” of preferential territories can be traced. There are jurisdictions that are considered traditionally holding companies (where holding companies are located, in particular Gibraltar), others are recommended for foreign trade firms (Isle of Man, Switzerland, Hong Kong). There are banking, trust, insurance, investment jurisdictions (Cayman Islands, Ireland, Bahamas, Cyprus, Panama, Barbados). Among the insurance jurisdictions, in turn, there are those that are more suitable for intra-company (captive) insurance (Guernsey), for reinsurance companies (Turks and Caicos), etc. Often there is a situation where several jurisdictions compete to attract corporations of a certain profile. For example, registration of offshore shipping companies is carried out in Liberia, Panama, Cyprus, the Isle of Man, Guernsey and other places.
Methods and technologies of offshore business are becoming more and more diverse. Offshore schemes currently involve not only corporate-type enterprises, but also other organizational and legal forms of business. Thus, in many offshore jurisdictions (as well as in the USA), the form of entrepreneurial partnership has been adapted to create offshore structures. Increasingly, there are limited liability companies (Limited Liability Company - LLC), companies limited by guarantee, as well as some combined forms.
Specialized offshore territories seek to provide offshore investors with new opportunities and benefits. In this area, there is quite intense competition for attracting capital.
In a number of countries there is also "anti-offshore" legislation. However, it is safe to say that in the complex system of modern international business for offshore companies there is a vast field of activity. Offshore business is developing very dynamically. New business opportunities for investment of capital are constantly appearing in it.
A new phenomenon in the practice of creating SEZs was the emergence ecological and economic regions (EER). Most of them are located in industrialized countries in unique, ecologically significant areas. As a rule, these are mountainous territories, territories with a favorable climate and potential recreational opportunities. The emergence of a new type of SEZ - EER is due to the reduction of natural resources, the irrational distribution of production and consumption, environmental pollution exceeding permissible limits, and the fact that all the accumulated problems could not be resolved within the framework of the old development model.
An important difference between the EER and other types of SEZ is the nature of the entrepreneurial activity carried out here. EER specialize in such areas of business that do not destroy or pollute the natural environment, for example, tourism, recreation, monetary and financial transactions, various services (consulting, audit, communications and telecommunications, design, etc.), education, medicine and etc.
In our country, the issue of creating a free economic zone arose in the late 80s. But so far the package of necessary legal documents has not been formed. The concept of the medium-term program of the Government of the Russian Federation for 1997-2000. "Structural adjustment and economic growth" provides for the development of a draft federal program for the formation of free economic zones in Russia, the creation of local free zones in the most promising regions for attracting foreign investment and the development of the country's export potential on this basis. Today, there are about 30 SEZs in Russia. The most famous of them are Yantar, Nakhodka, Sakhalin, Ingushetia, Kalmykia, Adygea. SEZs in Russia can be seen as oases of economic growth.
Let us consider some of the special economic zones operating in Russia in the context of their functional purpose, i.e. by the nature of the activity.
Free trade zones in Russia exist in the form of customs warehouses and free customs zones.
The first customs warehouse appeared in former USSR in 1980 in Butovo, and in 1991 another 4 customs warehouses were established. By 1995, only in Moscow there were 150 warehouses of various specializations, both equipped with the latest technology and non-mechanized. The impetus for their rapid growth was the Customs Code adopted in 1993, which established previously non-existing customs zones of duty-free trade and processing of goods.
The regime of customs warehouses is defined for the storage of imported goods without the collection of customs duties, as well as export goods with the return of duties or exemption from them. The maximum shelf life of goods in warehouses is 3 years. During this time, they can go through sorting, batch splitting, packaging, labeling, etc. In fact, the owners of bonded warehouses provide their customers with tax credits, including long-term ones.
Free warehouses have even more preferential treatment. In addition to the tax credit, they provide an opportunity for any industrial and commercial activity (except for retail trade). There are no restrictions on the period of storage of goods in free warehouses.
Similar conditions are established by the Customs Code for free trade zones where production activities can be carried out. The first such zones in Russia - "Sheremetyevo", "Moscow Free Port" and "Free Port Germina" were formed in 1993. And in 1994, many Russian regions, without waiting for government decisions, proceeded to create them. Arrangement of free trade zones "Sherridan", "Gavan" (St. Petersburg), "Rostov" (Rostov-on-Don) began, a decision was made to create a similar zone in Ulyanovsk.
Of all the FEZs created in Russia, the Nakhodka FEZ is the closest to the concept of an export-production zone. More than 470 enterprises have been created and are successfully operating here, of which 50% are joint-stock companies wholly owned by foreign capital, 42% are joint ventures, and 8% are branches of foreign companies.
SEZ "Nakhodka" today has the following tax incentives :
The federal tax rate on profits transferred abroad is 7%, and the similar local rate is no more than 3%;
Profits and part of profits transferred abroad are completely exempt from taxation for 5 years (after the announcement of regular profits);
Part of the profit reinvested in the development of production, as well as in the infrastructure and social sphere of the FEZ, is completely exempt from tax.
The total volume of foreign investments in the FEZ "Nakhodka" in the middle of 1995 amounted to 380 million US dollars, including direct foreign investment - 80 million US dollars and 300 million US dollars in the form of loans and credits. Among the main investors are Americans, South Koreans, Japanese and Chinese. In 1994, 80 billion rubles. (16 million US dollars) Russian entrepreneurs invested here. In 1994, the total turnover of the FEZ "Nakhodka" amounted to 672 million US dollars, including exports - 423 million US dollars, imports - 149 million US dollars.
As a result, more than 50 major enterprises have been created in Nakhodka, laying the foundations for the financial and industrial infrastructure.
The formation of the SEZ "Nakhodka" has not been completed. The amount of attracted foreign capital today cannot be compared with the plans for the development of the zone. Thus, projects to create a Russian-American industrial park worth $200 million and a Russian-Korean industrial park worth $700 million are not being implemented yet.
Currently, Russia, China and the DPRK are implementing the idea of creating the world's first international free economic zone by combining a number of national export-production zones. This is a regional project, "Tumangan", which has been carried out under the auspices of UNIDO (United Nations Commission on Industrial Development) since 1992. In accordance with the project in the Tumennaya River basin, which flows through the territory of Russia, China and the DPRK, a trilateral integrated free economic zone with preferential customs , currency and tax regime. The management of the FEZ "Tumangan" should be joint with the transfer of jurisdiction to an international consortium created by the project participants. It should be noted that such countries as Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, the USA and Canada are also interested in its implementation.
The total investment in the implementation of the international SEZ project is estimated at 10-15 billion US dollars. The regional development strategy of the Tumangan project is supposed to focus on the creation of industrial and telecommunications infrastructure.
In this regard, it should be noted that from the creation of the first international FEZ "Tumangan" the countries - direct participants in the project - China, North Korea and Russia will receive results of different scales. China will be the biggest beneficiary, as the main investments will be made and attracted by this country. The DPRK and Russia will benefit significantly less due to the insufficiency of their own initial investments. At the same time, it should be taken into account that for Russia, participation in the creation of the Tumangan FEZ can also have directly negative consequences. This is due, firstly, to the fact that its national ports of Vladivostok and Nakhodka will cease to play a key role, and secondly, to a decrease in the attractiveness for foreign investment in the already existing Nakhodka FEZ.
Thus, the creation of SEZs on the territory of the country and, first of all, international ones, should be a well-thought-out decision and meet the national state interests in accordance with certain criteria for the effectiveness of their functioning.
When creating a free economic zone, the state should first of all pursue strategic goals for solving such important macroeconomic tasks as accelerating growth rates, modernizing the economy and industry, saturating the domestic market with high-quality goods, etc. FEZs are called upon to contribute to the solution of these strategic tasks through the world market: by increasing foreign exchange earnings through the growth of exports of goods and services. Among the specific tasks, the implementation of which ensures the effective functioning of the created zone, it is necessary to highlight the following:
Attracting foreign capital and entrepreneurs;
Maximum use of local resources and labor force;
Increase in foreign exchange earnings;
Stimulating the development of backward areas, including changing their specialization;
Modernization of production structures and technologies, attraction latest technology and know-how;
Improving the skills of the workforce and specialists, introducing new methods of organizing labor and production;
Testing new methods of managing, developing and selecting the most effective forms of activity in a free market.
When creating a SEZ, two approaches can be used.
The first - territorial, according to which the FEZ is created on a specially allocated territory of the country and within its framework a special economic and legal regime of functioning is established.
Second - regime, the essence of which lies in the fact that foreign companies are provided with special conditions, regardless of their location in the country.
The use of one or another approach is determined by the goals and objectives of the creation of the SEZ, as well as the country's existing capabilities. At the same time, it should be taken into account that the territorial approach provides such advantages as:
Concentration of high-quality infrastructure, which is absent in other regions of the country;
Creation of administrative and other benefits for highly qualified personnel employed in the zone, which cannot be provided with a regime approach.
At the same time, the regime approach makes it possible to:
Stimulate certain types of activities regardless of the location of enterprises;
Ensure stronger links between the local economy and benefiting enterprises;
Foreign companies optimally locate their enterprises and activities.
In practice, a combination of both approaches is sometimes observed. This is practiced primarily in smaller countries, which may grant zone status to businesses located anywhere in the country.
The specialization of the SEZ is determined during its creation and is reflected in the feasibility study. In the future, the zone operates on the basis of its own development program with the expectation of expanding specialization and, if justified, territory. In this case, it is also allowed to extend the zone to non-zonal enterprises that are suppliers or clients of enterprises or FEZ facilities.
As for such a form of SEZ as scientific and industrial parks, at present 27 technoparks and 63 innovation business incubators have been created and are operating in Russia, which are united in the Technopark association. According to Western experts, the Zelenograd and Dubna Research and Production Enterprises are the most successful. The effective functioning of RPE in Russia is hampered by the lack of significant support from the state, while the most successfully operating foreign technology parks are located precisely in those countries where the government supports the pace of scientific and technical progress in the country and the task of optimizing the economic system and receptivity to the achievements of scientific and technical progress has been put at the head of this policy.
It is necessary to note one more important function of the NCE - curbing the "brain drain", which is very important for Russia, which is turning into a world leader in this area. This situation is a consequence of the gradual destruction of the scientific and technical potential of Russia, the lack of demand for highly qualified and talented scientists and specialists.
Russia's active involvement in international offshore business started in the early 90s. The liberalization of foreign economic relations, the high level of taxation, the lack of effective currency control contributed to the creation of a wide network of Russian offshore companies abroad, as well as the establishment of their own offshore zones. Currently, according to experts, Russia is the leader among other countries in the number of registered offshore companies. Today there are about 3 million offshore companies in the world, of which about 60 thousand are Russian (outside Russia). Exist in Russian Federation and their offshore zones. These, with certain reservations, include the Republic of Kalmykia and the favored zone "Ingushetia".
A favorable tax regime in Kalmykia for foreign investors was introduced in 1994, when the regional income tax rate was reduced to 5%. Adopted in 1995 by the People's Khural of Kalmykia, the Law "On the provision of tax benefits to a certain category of payers" was drawn up in the classic traditions of offshore zones. According to the new Law, companies that do not use the raw materials and natural resources of Kalmykia are exempt from paying:
Income tax credited to the budget of Kalmykia and local budgets;
Collection for the needs of educational institutions;
maintenance tax housing stock and objects of the socio-cultural sphere;
Tax on vehicle owners;
Tax on the purchase of vehicles.
Companies wishing to qualify for benefits must pay an annual registration fee of 500 times the minimum wage in equal quarterly installments.
In Kalmykia, bans on the use of financial resources of the republic by offshore companies have been lifted. A prerequisite for such offshore company is the need to have at least one permanent resident of Kalmykia or one Kalmyk company among the directors.
The Economically Favored Zone (FEZ) "Ingushetia" was established in 1994 by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 740 dated July 19, 1994, which provides for the following basic principles for the functioning of the zone:
A cash reserve for reducing regional taxes is created at the expense of a budget loan in this amount;
Local authorities have been given the right to independently determine the procedure for registering enterprises and determine authorized banks for their settlement and cash services.
Note that the benefits regional taxes can be used not only by non-residents, but also by local enterprises.
An important feature of the ZEB "Ingushetia" is that the federal budget loan is provided by the Financial Corporation "BIN", which is the official agent of the Government of the Republic of Ingushetia, as well as its main farmer (state agent for collecting taxes and other obligatory payments). As a result, a significant part of the budget of Ingushetia is actually Financial Corporation"BIN" in trust management, which gives rise to certain political risks and leads to a threat to the further stable existence of the ZEP. Therefore, the calculation of the long-term existence of the ZEB "Ingushetia" seems risky and makes it unattractive for long-term investments.
The process of formation of the SEZ on the territory of Russia follows the latest global trends in this area. Thus, in the Russian Federation, it is planned to create an ecological and economic region "Altai", where a system of restrictions on environmental management and management regimes will be introduced, environmental norms and standards that meet international requirements will be established. Legal and economic mechanisms, nature management regime will ensure the restoration and preservation of ecosystems, natural, historical and cultural heritage. It is supposed to preserve the genetic fund of the animal and plant world, the landscape diversity of the Altai Mountains.
Thus, an analysis of the activities of SEZs in Russia shows that they do not fulfill their main task: they are not centers of economic growth that give impetus to the development of other territories. Russia made a mistake declaring 11 regions with a total area of 1 million square meters as free economic zones. km, which corresponds to 7% of the country's territory and the area of 300 SEZs operating throughout the world.
Foreign capital has not become a catalyst for growth even in those SEZs where its concentration is high. There are a number of factors hindering the inflow of capital and together forming the investment climate:
Lack of a stable legal framework that takes into account international practice and regulates the activities of domestic and foreign companies;
Growing social tension;
Underdeveloped infrastructure, including communications, telecommunications, transport and hotel facilities;
Separatist sentiments that are inherent in some leaders of the regions;
Corruption.
In the near future, one can hardly expect cardinal changes in the investment climate in Russia as a whole. But for limited territories within the country, this task is quite feasible, and primarily through the use of the SEZ mechanism. It is they who, under favorable conditions, can become a kind of oases of growth, in which foreign and Russian investments will be accumulated, which will give an impetus to the development of the country as a whole. This is all the more relevant, since in 1997 the State Duma adopted and approved by the Federation Council the Law “On Free Economic Zones”, which will make it possible to use this form of international relations even more effectively to actively attract foreign direct investment to the country.
At the current stage, the most optimal form of SEZ for Russia is industrial zones, where it is expedient to develop import-substituting production. As the domestic market is saturated, these zones can be re-profiled for the production of products oriented to the world market, and in fact they are transformed into FEP. In addition, for Russia, one of the priority forms of development of the SEZ should be NPP, which would make it possible to use the scientific potential and prevent "brain drain".
The well-being of any country directly depends on the level of development of its economy. In the era of globalization and close interaction between representatives of different states in the field of business, the current conditions play a huge role in choosing a territory for it: the tax system, customs duties, and administrative participation.
The more comfortable doing business, the more attractive the place for investors. Therefore, in the last 10 years, the organization of special economic zones, which differ in the maximum number benefits for their residents.
concept
Special Economic Zone (SEZ) they call a territory limited by the boundaries of a subject of the Russian Federation, or a city, or otherwise, which has a legally fixed special legal status.
In these territories, conditions have been created that facilitate doing business, tax, customs, administrative benefits and financial support are provided. Realize entrepreneurial activity both citizens of the Russian Federation and foreign businessmen who are ready to invest in Russian economy.
The first attempts to create specialized territories in Russia were made in 1994, but this led to inconsistencies with the current legislation, and the projects were curtailed. The full development of the SEZ in our country began in 2005, the first Federal Law on Special Economic Zones was adopted.
It is important not to confuse this concept with a free trade zone. The latter includes isolated territories where trade is carried out without customs duties. SEZs imply not only trade, but also production, provision of services on special terms and are not always or not fully exempted from customs duties.
Purposes of creation
The creation of special economic zones is economically justified for the state and beneficial for entrepreneurs and investors. In Russia, each such project must solve the most important strategic tasks. Attracting investments to a particular region contributes to its development. In addition, a bet is made on any industry and direction of services, from the successful work of which the replenishment of the budget is expected, the expansion of foreign trade opportunities.
By creating a SEZ, the state decides following tasks:
- Provides an influx of private domestic and foreign.
- Helps to increase the number of jobs, especially for highly qualified employees, which is necessary to motivate the best minds of the country to stay within its borders.
- It implements the course of import substitution, makes it possible to restore and create domestic production.
In turn, residents, companies registered in the territory of the SEZ can:
- Reduce your production costs and administrative issues, thanks to reduced taxes, etc. This gives greater freedom in the designation of the price of the product, which increases its competitiveness.
- To use the infrastructure created by the state, in most cases, at the initial stage, these costs are covered by the budget.
- Have an advantage in the selection of qualified specialists.
Classification
The special economic zones existing in the Russian Federation are heterogeneous. The differences are due to the specifics of the region and the purposes of granting this status. First, all SEZs can be divided into two groups: closed and integration. To closed include geographically isolated territories, islands, peninsulas, in rare cases they are organized within cities. Everything produced in these zones is exported. Integration SEZs have different levels of interconnection with the economy of their native country and other states.
According to what functions should be performed, special economic zones are divided into several types. Different economists offer their own classification options. The Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation distinguishes 4 groups:
- Industrial production. Selected types of production are developing on a separate territory. Investors investing in these areas receive incentives and benefits.
- Techno-innovative. Designed to accommodate research organizations, design bureaus. This also includes technopolises and technoparks. The main task is development innovative projects, scientific progress, the development of new technology products and solutions. Creating comfortable conditions is necessary to attract foreign specialists and their achievements.
- Tourist and recreational. Parts of the country's territory where it is advisable to develop tourism: there are historically and culturally significant places, active recreation areas, etc.
- Port. This group includes free trade zones exempt from customs duties. As a rule, these are the territories of seaports, airports. Special conditions are being created for businesses related to the transportation, packaging, sorting and storage of goods, and quality control.
There are also complex special economic zones; entire regions become them when there is a need to provide benefits to all or almost all entrepreneurs to support this region. An example of this approach is the Crimea, where a special status is needed to mitigate the transition of local businesses to the Russian economy, to restructure under the current legislation in the Russian Federation.
Privileges
Depending on the specific zone and the tasks set in connection with this, residents are provided with an appropriate set of benefits and concessions.
- tax. Investors are exempt from certain taxes at a fixed percentage or in full. There are tax benefits for VAT, property, property. Companies registered in an industrial and production zone and engaged in relevant activities are entitled to partial exemption from paying taxes on land, property and transport, and a reduction in the percentage of income tax. In techno-innovative zones, it is halved.
- Customs. For organizations that purchase foreign raw materials or semi-finished products for production purposes, lower customs fees are applied or the duty is canceled. Goods produced in the territory of the SEZ are partially or completely exempt from export duties. At the enterprises themselves, the procedures for customs registration and obtaining permits can be simplified as much as possible.
- Administrative. Simplification of the process of registration of organizations. Minimizing the list of labor protection requirements. Opening privileged access to relevant domestic and nearby foreign markets. Providing more rights and opportunities to representatives of foreign companies and private foreign investors.
- Financial. On the part of the state it turns out financial aid in the form of subsidies, loans, subsidies for rent and purchase of land or industrial premises. Provision of preferential tariffs for utilities, provision of the necessary infrastructure.
Procedure for registration of residents
The presence of an organization in the territory of a special economic zone does not yet mean the right to receive benefits. Residents can fully apply for them. To obtain this status, the company must meet a number of requirements:
- In industrial production and port SEZ residents can only legal entities leading commercial activity and non-unitary. In other cases, IP is also acceptable.
- The company must be registered in the municipal facility in which the special economic zone operates, and not have branches and representative offices outside it.
- The organization has sufficient financial means to make the necessary investments. In industrial production SEZs, the minimum threshold is 3,000,000 euros, in ports - from 2,000,000 to 30,000,000 euros.
To obtain the status of a resident of a special economic zone, you need to obtain a decision of the expert council. To do this, an application is first drawn up, which must contain:
- application for the conclusion of an agreement on the implementation of activities;
- a copy of the certificate of state registration;
- a copy of constituent documents;
- copy of TIN.
You must first submit your project directly to management company SEZ. At this stage, business plan errors are identified, its compliance with the requirements for the type of activity, social and economic benefits. After the approval of the finalized project by the Criminal Code, the application is sent to the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation
Within two months it is considered. If the answer is positive, the expert council makes a decision to conclude an agreement. Based on it, the company is entered in the register of residents, and only after that can enjoy the benefits of the status received.
The norms for the creation and functioning of special economic zones in Russia are fixed in federal law dated July 22, 2005 No. 116-FZ. It spells out the necessary conditions for assigning the status of a SEZ, its validity period, decision-making procedure, authorized bodies and forms of agreements.
The application for the creation of a special economic zone, according to the recommendations of the Ministry of Economic Development, is submitted by regional authorities. The Government of the Russian Federation makes a decision and issues an appropriate resolution, on the basis of which a tripartite agreement is concluded (the Government of the Russian Federation, the head of the subject of the Russian Federation and the municipality).
Special economic zones for Russia are a relatively new solution. And according to the results of the first 10 years, the results did not live up to expectations either in terms of attracting private investment or in terms of providing new jobs. Budget resources were spent inefficiently, so the legislative framework continues to develop with the aim of a more detailed explanation of the requirements for payback periods, the justification for assigning status, profitability, and so on. In this regard, a number of points are under revision.
Examples for Russia
Territories that meet the following conditions:
- favorable location (proximity to the borders of the country or to the regions with which cooperation is planned, the availability of access to the sea, places suitable for organizing recreation areas);
- the presence of unoccupied areas on which it is possible to locate enterprises and complexes;
- the presence of a sufficient number of personnel of the required skill level;
- openness to international and interregional contacts;
- appropriate industry focus.
Industrial production special economic zone "Alabuga" is located in the Republic of Tatarstan, near the federal highway and railway line. Occupies an area of 20 sq. km, employs about 5,000 employees. More than 40 resident enterprises are engaged in the production of: buses, household appliances, medicines, furniture, complex chemicals, aircraft.
A prerequisite for residents is an investment in the amount of 1,000,000 euros in the first year of operation and 10,000,000 euros for the period for which the contract is concluded.
The advantages of organizing a business in Alabuga are:
- the ability to place and use foreign-made equipment without paying VAT and customs duties;
- exemption from export duty on the export of manufactured products;
- in the absence of obligations to contribute to regional budget taxes on transport and land;
- in income tax benefits until 2055 (2% - the first five-year period, 7% - the second, 15.5% - the subsequent period)
- in the provision of land plots with prepared infrastructure at reduced prices.
The territory of the technology-innovative SEZ of 200 hectares is divided into three fragments, each of which is allocated for programmers, nanotechnologists or nuclear physicists. The main areas of activity include: nanotechnologies, information development, development of nuclear physics, biotechnologies, innovations in the field of medicine.
Residents of the special economic zone "Dubna" receive the following preferences:
- Tax incentives (for the first 5 years, only income tax transferred to the regional budget is subject to payment).
- Simplified procedures for registration of land documents.
- Subsidized connection to communications and rent.
- No customs restrictions.
In a unique place in the Altai Republic in 2007, a tourist and recreational SEZ was created. The project was to ennoble the territory and make it accessible and attractive for tourist recreation. They thought about the arrangement of the necessary infrastructure (which was the responsibility of the state) and the construction of tourist facilities (at the expense of investments from private investors).
Privileges for businessmen:
- lack of intervention and current control in the implementation of investment projects;
- reduced tax rates;
- the rent for land was reduced to 2%.
The main attraction was to be an artificial lake. To date, it has not been put into operation. In the course of cost optimization when planning the budget for 2018-2019, the Altai Valley Special Economic Zone could be abolished, that is, the state no longer expects to finance this project. But the site continues to develop under the control of regional authorities with the preservation of many benefits.
Tourist and recreational SEZ "Turquoise Katun" is the largest in terms of area occupied by the territory - 3326 hectares. This is the only project that actually accepts tourists today. 24 facilities have been erected, most of the planned communication systems have been built. Under the terms of the signed agreement, the provision of tax and administrative benefits is provided until 2055.
But due to the revealed violation of the balance of capital investments by the state and private investors, the project may be transferred to a regional department or lose the status of a special zone. Despite this, the influx of tourists is growing every year, and the interest of entrepreneurs in the region is also increasing. In any case, as of the territory in 2018, Turquoise Katun is attractive for business in terms of a prepared platform and comfortable conditions for renting land.
One of the brightest examples of industrial and production special economic zones is the "Titanium Valley", located in the Sverdlovsk region. Privileges are given to enterprises involved in the processing of titanium and the manufacture of equipment for heavy industry, the production of building materials.
The list of benefits offered includes:
- reduction of the tax burden (profit tax from 2%);
- customs privileges;
- ready-made sites for production activities;
- resource provision;
- simplified administration system;
- selection and training of personnel for a specific investor.
Ulyanovsk
Port SEZ "Ulyanovsk" is a part of the region's aviation cluster. The duration of the special zone is planned to be 49 years. In addition to wholesale trade, the most important areas of development are: aircraft manufacturing, aircraft maintenance, production of electrical equipment and appliances, and composites manufacturing. The main purpose of the formation of the SEZ is to improve the economic situation in the Ulyanovsk region.
For the functioning of enterprises, road, engineering and customs infrastructures have been created. Investors investing in a business in this territory can save up to 30% of their costs.
- Exemption from all taxes, except income tax, which for the first ten years is 2%.
- Providing ready-to-use production and office space, including aircraft hangars
- Absence of customs duties and excises when moving goods necessary for the organization or current work enterprises.
- Minimum costs in the process of solving administrative issues.
Companies that are not included in the list of residents of special economic zones, but also located on their territory, can also apply for part of the benefits in agreement with the management company.
The situation is different with regions that are entirely considered SEZs, for example, the Republic of Crimea or the Kaliningrad Region. In these constituent entities of the Russian Federation, local registration of an organization is sufficient to receive benefits, since all entrepreneurs in equally are entitled to the corresponding privileges.
For 2018, there are 25 SEZs in the Russian Federation. During their stay in special economic conditions, companies must reach a stable efficient work and stop needing benefits and subsidies, since initially the SEZ is a tool for launching new enterprises, and not an opportunity to avoid paying mandatory payments.
News regarding the SEZ in the Russian Federation are presented below.
