Annotation

The article is devoted to a critical analysis of the terminology used in regulating entrepreneurial activity in the territories of “free” and “special” economic zones. The author explores the reasons for the parallel use of the concepts of “special economic zone” and “free economic zone”. The method of comparative legal analysis of legislation identifies the declared goals, terms of operation, management structure and requirements for business entities in various legal regimes. The author expresses the opinion that the key essential difference between the “free economic zone” and the “special economic zone” is the possibility for the entity covered by the legal regime to carry out entrepreneurial activities outside the territory of the zone. As a rule, the use of the term “participant” instead of “resident” in the law serves as a marker of this difference. The author points out specific examples of inconsistencies between the concepts used in the regulations and the established terminology. Based on the analysis, specific proposals are being made to adjust the conceptual framework in order to achieve greater consistency and certainty of legal regulation.