The Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona (CZFB) played a very prominent role in the 11th edition of the World Free Zones Congress, organized by the World Free Zones Organization (WFZO) from October 10 to 12 at the Hainan International Conference and Exhibition Center in Haikou (China). Within the framework of this congress, the WFZO general assembly was also held, which served to renew its governing body. In this regard, the general director of CZFB, Blanca Sorigué, was re-elected as vice president of the World Free Zones Association, a position she has held since May 2023. Mohamed Alzarooni, for his part, will continue to be the global president of the association.
The World Free Zones Congress had a total of 2,000 attendees from 160 countries and brought together free zone leaders, policy makers, innovators, and partners who are shaping the future of global trade and investment. Over three intensive days, a total of 114 speakers highlighted how free zones can expand opportunities, strengthen economic connectivity, and boost a new era of global cooperation.
These were three days of strategic dialogue, global networking, and leadership development, which highlighted the emerging role of free zones as platforms for inclusive growth and cooperation. And in this context, the general director of CZFB, Blanca Sorigué, presented the entity’s strategic vision to lead the digital transformation of the industry, through the Barcelona 4.0 District, which is projected to the world as the economic activity zone where the companies leading the 4.0 industry are present.
Female Visibility
In a context marked by technological change, the transformation of supply chains, and climate imperatives, free zones are emerging as platforms that prioritize resilience, inclusion, and alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda. This is why the World Free Zones Congress hosted a session dedicated to giving visibility to women who are leading the free zones sector, in which the general director of CZFB, Blanca Sorigué, participated alongside the directors of the Free Zones of Port Klang (Malaysia) and JSEZA (Jamaica).
Sorigué, who also participated in a session on collaborative leadership, emphasized that “the World Free Zones Congress once again provided a space for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and building alliances, equipping key players with strategies to face challenges, seize opportunities, and position free zones as essential engines of global progress.” The general director of CZFB added that “in this scenario, we have once again seen how the Barcelona Free Zone model is a benchmark and is admired by the entire sector as a success story to follow, which is generating opportunities for its territory by creating qualified jobs, manufacturing, attracting, and retaining talent.”
Within the framework of the World Free Zones Congress, the general director of CZFB was also able to visit and learn firsthand about the China Institute for Reform and Development (CIRD), a public research center specialized in reform and development policies and acting as an independent think tank with a strong international vocation.
Among its main functions, the investigation of public policies, government advisory, training and capacity building, as well as international cooperation stand out. Chi Fulin, president of CIRD, was in charge of receiving the delegation from the World Free Zones Organization (WFZO).
Blanca Sorigué also held a meeting with the Provincial Vice Governor of Hainan, Yang Guoqiang. Hainan is emerging as a strategic industrial reference thanks to its transformation into a Free Trade Port (FTP) and has high technology (artificial intelligence, blockchain, biotechnology, semiconductors, and digital economy) as one of the main pillars of its economy.
