A Survey on Role of Free Trade Zones in Improving the Economic Indexes of Rural Areas: A Case Study of Makou County of Iran

This study aimed at investigating the role of free trade zones in improvement of economic indexes in rural areas of Makou County in Iran. It was an analytical-explanative survey. Sample size was determined based on the Cochran’s formula and the required data were collected through questionnaires.  Content validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by professors and experts and its reliability was determined based on Cronbach's alpha (0.85-0.91). The studied population consisted of all the rural people up 15 years old residing in rural areas of free trade zone in Makou County (N= 4689), among whom 400 persons were selected as thr statistical sample. Thus, 200 questionnaires were distributed among the villages situated at Makou free zone and 200 questionnaires were distributed among the villages far from Makou free trade zone in the comparative method. The results of statistical tests showed that there was a statistically significant positive relationship between all the studied variables and the improvement of economic indexes in the rural areas. Also, the results of spatial analysis showed that the role of free trade zone in the reinforcement of economic indexes among 25 percent of the villages was at a high level, 41 percent at a medium level and others at a weak level. Finally, according to the study results, a number of recommendations were presented.