Taxation Incentives for Digitization of Special Economic Zones in the Asia-Pacific Region

The article analyzes trends in fiscal incentives for the digital development of special economic zones and digital clusters. The purpose of this study is to identify, analyze and validate trends in fiscal incentives for the digital development of special economic zones. The Asia-Pacific region leads the way in digitization. The IT transformations that are taking place in the region are spurring the emergence of new types of SEZs, including high-tech zones, digital clusters, and digital free trade zones. Such transformations encourage the development of competitive fiscal regulation of the IT sector in different countries. Having summarized the experience of earlier models of special economic zones, the authors revealed the growing influence of digitization on the structure of special economic zones. The authors prove that comprehensive state policy is a key success factor for special economic zones and clusters in the IT sector. The policy stipulates tax preferences on investment in digital technologies and human capital (tax-deductible training costs, income tax relief for highly skilled workers) and support for research and development.