GFTZ Participates in Launch of World Free Zones Organization

World Free Zones Organization Launched; Will Create Local Jobs, Economic Advantages for Georgia

Georgia Foreign-Trade Zone CEO Julie Brown Named to Board of Directors

Atlanta, Ga., May 19, 2014 – Georgia Foreign-Trade Zone today announced the launch of the World Free Zones Organization, a newly formed non-profit association focused on raising awareness of the economic benefits of free zones around the world. Georgia Foreign Trade Zone President and CEO Julie Brown has been named a board member of the World Free Zones Organization after helping to form over the last several months the organization and its mission.

The World Free Zones Organization (WFZO), headquartered in the Dubai Airport Free Zone, is focused on increasing awareness and expanding knowledge of global free zones to help attract business. WFZO will help foster relationships between free zones (known as foreign-trade zones in the U.S.) and businesses. The new organization will also provide knowledge about zones’ positive impact in the form of research on tax and trade advantages and detailed feasibility studies.

Georgia Foreign-Trade Zone (GFTZ) is well positioned to promote the strengths of the FTZ program in Georgia to participants in the WFZO. Georgia generates a large share of all U.S. foreign-trade zone activity. More than $10.5 billion in merchandise has been moved through 60 FTZ sites, and exports have increased by more than 40 percent over the last three years. GFTZ member companies represent diverse industries such as apparel, manufacturing, electronics, bioscience, oil and gas, and geotextiles; and many products, such as jet fuel, vehicle parts, consumer products, chemicals, machinery/equipment, and pharmaceuticals.

“Georgia’s talented workforce, pro-business approach and extensive transportation system – including Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport and the Port of Savannah – have already established our state as a strong global partner to companies doing business in the U.S. and around the world,” said Brown. “Our close affiliation with the World Free Zones Organization will further enhance understanding of the broad capabilities, resources and expertise that Georgia offers.”

Brown has led GFTZ since 1997. She is one of only two U.S. appointees on the 13-member WFZO board, and the only member to represent a U.S. foreign-trade zone and U.S. state.

About Georgia Foreign-Trade Zone: A private, non-profit corporation, GFTZ is dedicated to fostering economic growth in Georgia and the U.S. through the U.S. Foreign Trade Zone program.

Visit: www.georgiaftz.com

Contact:
Adam Levy
30 Point Strategies
[email protected]
404-898-1267

Genevieve Rozansky
30 Point Strategies
[email protected]
202-509-0794