Executive summary

Russia established its first SEZs in early 1990s. Since then, Russia actively used that mechanism and set up dozens and dozens SEZs all over Russia with rather diverse regulation and mixed results. Russian's SEZs regulatory framework consists of international treaties (within EAEU and Russia's commitments in connection with its accession to the WTO) and domestic law. This paper explains the framework in these aspects. The results of SEZs operation are mostly modest especially when it comes to foreign direct investment. SEZ's resident shall execute an agreement with the State. Does ...