1-Introduction
Special economic zones play a vital role in attracting foreign investment and promoting high-tech industries. They not only provide an environment for manufacturing and exports, but also provide a space for technology development and R&D collaboration. This article reviews examples of successful collaborations between R&D companies and special economic zones in different countries.
2- China: Shenzhen, a model for synergy between R&D and special economic zones
The Shenzhen Special Economic Zone is a prominent and successful example of integrating research and development (R&D) with economic growth. Established in 1980 as China’s first special economic zone, the zone has grown from a fishing village to one of the world’s most advanced technology hubs. Shenzhen, one of the world’s most successful special economic zones, has become a global hub for innovation, focusing on advanced technologies and R&D. Major companies such as Huawei, DJI, and Tencent are based in the zone and work closely with local universities and research centers. These partnerships have led to the development of technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (1).
2.1- Key features of the R&D model in the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone
2-1-1- Government support and policies
Shenzhen’s success is built on strong government support. Policies such as tax breaks, deregulation, and infrastructure investment have created a favorable environment for businesses and R&D activities. The government also promotes innovation in companies located in the special zone, with an emphasis on intellectual property (IP) protection.
2-1-2- University-industry cooperation
Shenzhen is home to universities such as Shenzhen University and collaborations with leading institutions such as Tsinghua University. These universities collaborate with industries in fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and biotechnology, and strive to support elites and professionals and related research.
2-1-3- Creating advanced technology zones in special economic zones
Often referred to as “China’s Silicon Valley,” the Nanshan district of Shenzhen is home to innovation parks such as the Shenzhen High-Tech Industrial Park. In this model, research and development activities are fully integrated with production. This enables the rapid development of ideas and their commercialization.
2-1-4- Startup ecosystem and venture capital
Shenzhen has a vibrant startup ecosystem supported by venture capital. Accelerators and incubators in the area support start-ups, and government grants and private investments foster innovation.
2-1-5-Key Technology Axes
The Shenzhen Special Economic Zone focuses on the following advanced technologies:
5G Networks and Telecommunications: Huawei, headquartered in Shenzhen, is a leader in 5G innovation.
Drones and Automation: DJI, a pioneer in the field of drones, has developed its products within the framework of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone.
Green Technology: The region also promotes the use of sustainable practices and innovation in clean energy.
2-2-Impacts and lessons learned
The Shenzhen Special Economic Zone model shows that targeted investment in R&D and promotion of industry-academia collaboration can transform a region into a global innovation hub. For regions like the Kashan Special Economic Zone, adopting the Shenzhen model, especially in aligning R&D with local strengths (such as manufacturing or renewable energy), could bring significant benefits.
3- India: Technology Zones and R&D Collaboration
India has successfully established IT zones, such as the Hyderabad IT Zone (HITEC City), to create partnerships between R&D companies and special economic zones. Large companies such as Microsoft and Google have set up research offices in these zones. Tax benefits and advanced infrastructure are among the factors that have attracted these companies (2).
3.1- Research and Development (R&D) in Special Economic Zones of India
As a pioneer in the development of Special Economic Zones, India has provided successful models in integrating research and development (R&D) with manufacturing and trade. With over 260 active Special Economic Zones, the country has achieved great success in areas such as information technology, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and advanced manufacturing.
3-1-1-Indian Special Economic Zone Model
India has been creating Special Economic Zones since 2000 as a way to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and boost exports. The model is designed around incentives such as tax breaks, tariff reductions, and improved infrastructure.
3-1-2- R&D and industry cooperation
One prominent example is the IT Special Zone in Bangalore. The city is known as the “Silicon Valley of India” and is home to global companies such as Infosys, Wipro and IBM. These companies are active not only in the field of IT services, but also in software research and development, artificial intelligence and data analytics.
Technology Parks: Technology parks, such as Electronic City in Bangalore, have played an important role in connecting research and development activities with manufacturing and exports.
University-Industry Collaboration: Prestigious universities such as the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and research centers in the cities of Hyderabad and Bangalore continuously provide expert manpower and research results to companies.
3-1-3-Special pharmaceutical areas
India is one of the world’s largest exporters of pharmaceuticals, and special zones such as the Hyderabad Special Economic Zone are active in this sector. These zones focus on research and development of new formulations, production of generics, and collaboration with universities.
3-1-4- Special areas in the field of renewable energies
In regions like Gujarat, the focus is on research and development in green technologies, including solar and wind power. In this regard, the Gujarat Solar Park, one of the largest solar parks in the world, has projects to develop advanced solar cells.
3-1-5- Indian government incentives for R&D
The Indian government has implemented programs such as “Make in India” and “Digital India” to boost research and development in Special Economic Zones. These policies include the following:
Facilitating patent registration
Reducing investment costs
Creating innovation centers and accelerators
3-2-Lessons learned for the Kashan Special Economic Zone
The Indian model shows that focusing on key sectors, establishing technology parks, and integrating R&D with local manufacturing can bring significant success to special economic zones. Kashan can build infrastructure to attract foreign investment and facilitate R&D activities by following the example of Indian IT zones.
4- Malaysia: Klang and emphasis on research and development in green industries
In Malaysia, special economic zones such as Klang, focusing on sustainable technologies and renewable energy, work closely with research and development centers. These collaborations have not only driven economic growth but also helped develop green technologies that are at the forefront of sustainable development (3).
5- Europe: The role of technology parks in special economic zones
In Europe, special economic zones, such as the Sofia Technology Park in Bulgaria, have become a platform for R&D collaborations. The zone has attracted many innovative companies by offering advanced infrastructure, links to universities and research networks (4).
6-Lessons learned for the Kashan Special Economic Zone
The Kashan Special Economic Zone can benefit from global experiences and prioritize cooperation with research and development companies. Suggestions include the following:
Creating technological infrastructure: Providing advanced facilities for laboratories and research centers
Encouraging cooperation between universities: Establishing close ties between Kashan University and companies located in the special zone
Providing tax benefits: Encouraging research companies to establish themselves in the region with financial and administrative facilities.
7- Conclusion
Successful global experiences show that cooperation between R&D companies and special economic zones can contribute to the growth of advanced industries and sustainable development. By adopting similar strategies, the Kashan Special Economic Zone can become an innovative and sustainable center in Iran.
