NEWS

The World Free Zone Convention (WFZC), an annual event held in a different country each year, will be hosted by ESBAS – the Aegean Free Zone Development and Operating Company -  in Izmir, Türkiye, Dec. 11-12. 

Headquartered in England, the WFZC organization decided to hold this year’s meeting at the Aegean Free Zone after discussions with ESBAS and the Turkish General Directorate of Free Zones, Overseas Investment and Services, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Economy. 

Nearly 500 participants from different parts of the world are expected to attend this year’s WFZC in Izmir, where they will have the opportunity to hear and meet globally-renowned speakers. As a major organizer of international conferences,  ESBAS is experienced in bringing together international opinion leaders in venues that foster better relations and contribute to the development of the world economies. 

This is the second time ESBAS is hosting the WFZC. In 2005, ministers from six different countries and approximately 500 government representatives, and businessmen from 40 countries participated in the conference.

Special dignitaries expected to attend this year`s conference include: Turkish Minister of Economy Mr. Zafer Caglayan, Latvian Minister of Economy Daniel Pavluts, Russian Federation Minister of Economy Alexey Valentinovich Ulyukaev,Polish Minister of Economy Jan Vincent-Rostowski as well as the Economy Ministers of Netherlands, Spain and Lithuania.

General Secretary of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Le Kuong Minh, Secretary of WTO (World Trade Organization) Herbert Escaith, American Association of Foreign Trade Zones President Dan Griswold, retired ambassadors, senior government representatives from over 10 countries and managers from 20 prominent free zones will also speak at the conference. They will discuss the importance and development of the free zones, exclusive economic zones and all other free trade zones for international industry and trade.