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Abstract

This dissertation explores how financial engineering strategies used in Shenzhen’s SEZ can be standardized to guide the development of new SEZs aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 9.2—sustainable industrialization. The study addresses the global need for scalable financial models that balance economic growth with sustainable goals. It answers the core research question by demonstrating that Shenzhen’s success relied on a coordinated mix of public investment, private capital, blended financing mechanisms, and fiscal incentives. These strategies can be adapted globally by using a standardized
framework—the Global SEZ Financial Model (GSFM)—that links financing approaches to measurable economic and sustainability outcomes.
The research uses a mixed-methods design, combining expert interviews with data modeling techniques such as forecasting and risk simulations. The GSFM enables policymakers and investors to evaluate how well a proposed SEZ will perform financially and meet sustainability targets under changing conditions Findings show that standardizing Shenzhen’s approach through GSFM provides a practical tool for building sustainable and forward-looking SEZs. This study contributes a standardized model for governments and development agencies working to accelerate industrialization in line with SDG 9.2.

Author: Amzina DAOUSSA DEBY