Study of the Export Performance of Aras Free Trade-Industrial Zone

Free Trade-Industrial Zones are established in our country with the goal of achieving advanced technology, economic development and export of industrial and conversion goods. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of Aras Free Zone in terms of export. For the purpose of this study descriptive survey method was selected and the required data using the questionnaire made by the researcher were collected by referring to a sample population of 120 experts, scholars and activists of Aras Free Trade Zone. Validity of the questionnaire was confirmed through Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) using PLS software. Moreover, Binomial and Friedman tests were also used to analyze the field data and test hypotheses. The data analysis indicated that economic factors, the underlying infrastructure, legal systems, and environmental factors have a significant and positive impact on export performance of Aras Free Zone. Friedman test results showed that environmental factor with mean score of 3.86 is the most important factor for export performance of the region; underlying infrastructure, economic factors and factors related to the legal system, respectively, with mean score of 3.13, 1.95 and 1.06 were affecting export performance in the next ranks.