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The special economic zones, the free zones and industrial zones are set to start a new stage of growth following the packages of incentives, facilities and tax and customs exemptions witnessed last year. Investors are interested in special economic zones, free zones and industrial zones as they accommodate various projects at the time. Last year saw completion of infrastructure facilities supportive to investments at the special economic zone Duqm, mainly Duqm Port.

Jim Chalmers’ plan to turbocharge public-private partnerships is being undermined by regulatory uncertainty, uncompetitive tax rates, low growth and cross-jurisdictional red tape that industry leaders say must be fixed to unleash investment across the country.

‘‘Tighter financial conditions, erosion of real incomes amid high inflation, declining housing prices, and soft global growth point to a significant deceleration in Australia,’’ the IMF executive board said in its annual review of Australia. To assist the Reserve Bank reduce inflation, the fund encouraged the Treasurer to further show fiscal restraint in the May budget by banking all revenue upgrades from high commodity export prices to repair the budget deficit.

It’s the 100th YourLifeChoices podcast and today National Seniors chief advocate Ian Henschke joins John Deeks to talk about the issues currently facing retirees, the change to the Work Bonus and how it works. He also explains why he wants to “get rid of the fiddly bits, snakes, ladders and bonuses” and allow age pensioners to work and pay tax while keeping their Age Pension.

Special Economic Zones are areas in which the business and trade laws are different from the rest of the country. On the continent, they are considered one of the main instruments to stimulate economic reforms, promote foreign direct investment (FDI) and accelerate industrialization. Most of them offer tax incentives and other attractive terms to draw in investors and businesses. In his opening statement, secretary general of AEZO Ahmed Bennis, hailed the development of SEZs on the continent as drivers of economic development. “Over the past five years, 60 million jobs have been created in agro-processing, industrial fields, and services and more than $2.6 billion has been invested in the development of SEZ projects in the continent,” he said.