Creation of special (free) economic zones as the state stimulate development of some territories

The article is devoted to the study of the legal basis for the formation and functioning of special (free) economic zones. It is substantiated that the creation of a special (free) economic zone is an effective means of state stimulation of economic development of individual territories. The economic efficiency of the formation and functioning of special (free) economic zones is analyzed. It is established that important indicators of such efficiency are: reduction of unemployment in the respective territory, increase of investment income, development of production, etc. 
The author has identified some problematic aspects of the legal regulation of the formation and functioning of special (free) economic zones. In particular, on the basis of the analysis it was determined that the Tax Code of Ukraine and the Customs Code of Ukraine do not contain rules that determine the peculiarities of the tax and customs regimes in the territories of special (free) economic zones, and after the 2005 amendments to the Law of Ukraine "On General Principles" the creation and functioning of special (free) economic zones ”the special preferential tax regime in the specified territories was terminated, which in general called into question the expediency of functioning of special economic zones. It was also found that the legal act, which determined the procedure and methodology for assessing the effectiveness of the functioning of the special (free) economic zone, has lost its validity, however, a new act, taking into account modern economic requirements and needs, has not been developed. 
The experience of some foreign countries in the field of formation and functioning of special (free) economic zones is investigated. On the basis of the scientific and legal analysis, a number of proposals for improving the legal regulation in the field of formation and functioning of special (free) economic zones were developed, in particular, by introducing amendments to the Tax and Customs Codes of Ukraine, laws of Ukraine, which regulate the formation and functioning of the respective special (free) economic zones.