Once upon a time there was a concept arrived at called the Free Economic Zone (FEZ). In order to bring in foreign investors, along with their capital and know-how, a government would set up a special area with legislation and tax breaks that would encourage the growth of new industry. In the aftermath of the economic nationalization policies followed from the 1960s on in most of the MENA area, such zones were seen as politically expedient: too small to worry those concerned about national economic sovereignty, and effective enough to bring in some of the benefits that foreign direct investment (FDI) can offer. However, the raison d’etre of FEZs across the region is beginning to change, and with it could come a series of foreseen consequences that at present worry few. Once again, the UAE case seems the most pertinent. FEZs can go by a number of names, such as
