Professor Aggarwal spoke at AICE 2023 on the role of trust in SEZ governance

The World Free Zones Organization’s 9th Annual International Conference & Exhibition (AICE 2023) was held in Dubai from 1 to 3 May 2023, where project member Prof. Aradhna Aggarwal participated as a speaker in a panel discussion on the role of trust in SEZ governance systems.

Prof. Aggarwal presented a conceptual framework of the ecosystem of trust and argued why trust is so crucial in SEZ governance and how different stakeholders need to contribute to trust building. The key message was that a network of relationships held together by trust underpins the success of SEZs in driving trade and investment. Trust requires deliberate strategies, committed stakeholders, efficient regulations, transparent processes, focus on ESG considerations, compliances and certifications.

The event, titled “Global Trade 2.0: Zones, An Ecosystem of Trust Driving Prosperity”, was  attended by more than 1000 industry leaders and officials as well as ministers and high-level government officials from several countries.