Special economic zones of the Volga Federal District: A comparative analysis of performance results

In recent years, special economic zones became one of the most effective tools for the development of territories: preferential taxation, affordable loans and consulting services, and well-prepared infrastructure attract entrepreneurs and investors. Due to the concentration of enterprises in a certain geographical location, it is possible to create adjacent production chains, which reduces logistical costs. With the advent of new jobs, regional labor markets are also reviving. In general, there is a positive impact of special economic zones on the socio-economic indicators of the regions. Studying the dynamics of indicators of the development of special economic zones is relevant and necessary to improve the management system of such territories and obtain the maximum possible results of their activities for society and the country. The objectives of the study are to identify the features of the development of special economic zones of the Volga Federal District based on a comparison of the achieved performance indicators with the planned ones. Objectives: to study the experience of the development of the special economic zones of the Volga Federal District; to analyze changes in indicators and the role of these zones in overall performance. The article contains the results of activities for the period from 2022 to 2024 based on data from the official reports of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, statements by the heads of the Volga Federal District SEZs and publications in the media. Statistical analysis of economic data, comparative analysis, ranking, and graphical method, correlation analysis was used to conduct the study. The author came to the conclusion that the SEZs the Volga Federal District are developing unevenly. Some of the regions where SEZs were operating for the longer time are more successful in attracting residents due to the already developed industrial infrastructure, transport accessibility, and the ability to build chains adjacent to existing residents. Equally important is the experience of the heads of the Region and the SEZs management companies in helping current and future residents to provide them with human resources, solve bureaucratic and legal issues.

1. Bessonova E.A., Lopatina N.D. (2024). Special industrial-production type economic zones as a tool for adaptation to new economic realities. Economic and Social Problems of Russia, no. 1 (57), pp. 78–95. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.31249/espr/2024.01.05

2. Khannanova S.A. (2024). Development of preferential territories in the Volga Federal District under new socio-economic conditions: the case of special economic zones. Herald of Siberian Institute of Business and Information Technologies, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 128–132. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.24412/2225-8264-2024-1-128-132

3. Khannanova S.A., Galiullina, G.F. (2025). Labor resources provision in preferential territories of the Volga Federal District. Russian Journal of Labour Economics, vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 521–534. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.18334/et.12.4.122992

4. Kotov A.V. (2022). Assessment of the effectiveness of preferential regimes at the municipal level. Territorial development issues, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 1–15. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.15838/tdi.2022.1.61.1

5. Leontiev A.I., Novikova N.V. (2020). Regional projection of the theory of the growth pole: foreign and Russian experience. Theoretical and Applied Economics, no. 4, pp. 106–117. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.25136/2409-8647.2020.4.34019

6. Maevskaya L.I. (2023). Preferential economic zones: their role in the spatial development of Russia. Econo­mics: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, vol. 13, no. 4-1,

7. pp. 348–360. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.34670/AR.2023.14.33.034

8. Maevskaya L.I. (2024). Preferential economic zones: potential opportunities and ways of their implementation under sanction policies. Economics: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, vol. 14, no. 1-1, pp. 257–270. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.34670/AR.2024.37.14.055

9. Naumov I.V., Sedelnikov V.M., Averina L.M. (2020). The evolution of theories of spatial development: fundamental features and modern research objectives. Journal of Economic Theory, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 383–398. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.31063/2073-6517/2020.17-2.12

10. Nikitina I.A., Kruglova I.A., Bormatov V.Yu. (2023). The role of special economic zones in regional development in the context of the country’s economic security. Kant, no. 4 (49), pp. 94–101. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.24923/2222-243X.2023-49.18

11. Novikova T.V., Goryachev I.I. (2024). Special economic zones as a tool for comprehensive support of industry development. Innovative Economics and Society, no. 3 (45), pp. 48–56. (In Russ.)

12. Odintsova A.V. (2023). Preferential territories in the spatial development of the Russian Federation. Federalism, vol. 28, no. 2 (110), pp. 27–46. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.21686/2073-1051-2023-2-27-46

13. Romanova O.A., Galiullina G.F. (2024). Formation and assessment of the development potential of preferential territories in Russia. Economy of Regions, vol. 20, no. 3, pp. 625–641. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.17059/ekon.reg.2024-3-2

14. Sorokina N.Yu. (2023). Development strategies for preferential territories in the system of strategic planning documents of Russia. Scientific Research and Development. Economics, vol. 11, no. 5, pp. 46–50. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.12737/2587-9111-2023-11-5-46-50

15. Starovoitov V.G., Krupnov Yu.A. (2024). Special economic zones as a mechanism for territorial development and ensuring national security under sanctions. National Security / Nota Bene, no. 6, pp. 65–83. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.7256/2454-0668.2024.6.68819

16. Stepanov N.S. (2023). Institutions for the development of regional governance under the new model of economic growth (territories of advanced development, territories of advanced socio-economic development). Vestnik Universiteta, no. 1, pp. 106–113. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.26425/1816-4277-2023-1-106-113

17. Vasilieva E.Yu., Sokolov A.V. (2023). Efficiency of preferential regimes in modern Russian conditions. Managerial Accounting, no. 2, pp. 348–356. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.25806/uu22023348-356

18. Vilensky A.V. (2021). Special economic zones and territories of advanced socio-economic development: extensive growth. Economics: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, vol. 11, no. 8-1, pp. 135–144. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.34670/AR.2021.43.59.018

19. Vilensky A.V. (2022). Preferential economic zones in the Russian economy. Bulletin of RANS, vol. 22, no. 4, pp. 110–114. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.52531/1682-1696-2022-22-4-110-114

20. Chaisse J., Ji, X. (2020). The pervasive problem of special economic zones for international economic law: Tax, investment, and trade issues. World Trade Review, no. 19 (4), pp. 567–588.

21. Marjanac D., Alfirevic A. (2021). Special Economic Zones: The Impact and Implications on Economic Growth with Reference to the Chinese Model. Acta Economica, no. 18, pp. 85–106.