Prosperity Zones & Private Cities Newsletter # 10
Q3 2019
Dear Readers,
We are living in interesting times. A lot has happened since the last newsletter. First, we changed the title to “Prosperity Zones and Private Cities”. This is to make it clear that we have a larger umbrella than just the “pure” Free Private City – model. Experience has shown that in many cases it can be necessary to start with an interim model, no matter if it’s a public-private-partnership model, a significantly upgraded special economic zone or some other alternative. In other cases, people have somehow managed to create a quasi-autonomous private community under their own rules even though no state authority has granted any formal, legal autonomy. These can also be interesting to watch and could be a subject of this newsletter in the future.
The new design of the newsletter is connected with a complete re-launch of our website. A lot of new and multi-media pieces can be found there together with an extensive FAQ-section. Please have a look: freeprivatecities.com
Now for the real stuff.
1) Honduras project
The Honduras Próspera project of NeWay Capital, where I am an investor, has successfully finalized the structuring phase. This project is based on the Honduran ZEDE legislation (ZEDE = Zone for Economic Development and Employment), and has developed unique and innovative solutions within a common law framework. For the last two years, I supported the structuring of the project in a management position. Now that the project has reached its operational stage and the legal framework has been established, my work is done. I am withdrawing from management while remaining a shareholder and board member of NeWay, with a continued sense for the importance of this endeavor and its tremendous potential.
To my knowledge this is the most advanced and most autonomous project of its kind in the world. While some final details are being worked out before officially launching, you can be among the first to be considered for full physical or e-Residency status. If interested, please fill out this form in the next three weeks (it will close after that):
https://forms.gle/oomRi46aAXwFZrNcA
2) New projects
We are on the lookout for new projects! Currently we are in initial discussions with governments in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Caucasus region. Please understand that due to the delicate political nature of such projects, we can only disclose the country once all legal agreements have been put in place. Getting this done is of course not an easy task and requires normally at least an amendment to a law if not to the constitution itself in the respective country; i.e. quite some time.
Interestingly, it seems that supporters of the special zone/free private city/charter city – idea in Brazil tried to include a respective clause in the new Economic Freedom Law. Indeed, I had given some interviews in Brazil in the past and told elected representatives of a libertarian party that the best they can do is to amend laws or the constitution, by inserting a phrase allowing the creation of special autonomous zones.
The drafted clause would have created within each State and the Federal District “a special legal regime zone, geographically delimited by means of state or district law, in a single strict area, and not exceeding 0.01% of the total size of its territory, for the sole purpose of promoting innovation, including scientific, and competitiveness of new technologies and new business models, under a legal regime in which the effects of any regulation, including laws and regulations, of economic and urban law are suspended, within certain circumstances determined by state and district law.”
Unfortunately, this very clause was taken out in the Chamber of Deputies and has not made it into the final law.
Nevertheless, it was definitely worth a try. If any of you, dear readers, have connections to politicians in your country, and want to support the idea of Free Private Cities and Prosperity Zones, amending the law in this sense is the most effective way to start.
To support the worldwide establishment of prosperity zones, private cities and other related projects, we have spun off a professional consulting company named TIPOLIS CONSULT.
3) Becoming an ambassador
Now there’s another possibility to support the idea. We have introduced the position of ambassador. We are looking for at least one ambassador in each country who will propagate the idea and ideally also have political connections. This person would also be the local contact person for interested parties. There are no special obligations. Requirements are:
- Interested candidates must support the principles underlying the foundation of Free Private Cities, of self-determination and competitive governance.
- Interested candidates should be multipliers with a strong network to investors, scholars, politicians, local leaders and entrepreneurs.
- Interested candidates should be knowledgeable of the book content. Being versed in the literature of Special Economic Zones and Private Governance is a plus.
- Interested candidates must have the ability to answer the usual questions (FAQs) in a personal conversation. Experience with public speaking is a plus.
If you are interested in becoming an ambassador and think you qualify, please contact us. Our current Ambassadors can be found here.
4) Architect
We are looking for an architect who can design a modular system for Free Private Cities, starting with up to 1,000 residents in phase 1 and up to 10,000 residents in phase 2. We are in principle open to all suggestions, although we do have a tendency towards New Urbanism. Our budget is limited, so we would expect at least some pro bono work. If you are an architect or know someone who might be suited, please contact us.
5) Spreading the Idea
Why is spreading the idea so important? Free Private Cities are currently the only non-totalitarian alternative to Western democracies. It is crucial that the concept is widely known when these western systems go wrong, which sooner or later may happen at some places. Otherwise the old “solutions” (socialism, fascism, theocracy…) will pop up again by default.
The easiest way for everyone to support the idea is to link the website, the book or our videos or blog articles on social media. Giving the book a review on Amazon and Goodreads also helps. Also, you can wear our merchandise if you’d like to give us some financial support.
There is also the possibility of translation. Many of our articles have already been translated to other languages, and for those translators: Thank you! Feel free to translate our articles and subtitle the videos in all languages imaginable. If you get it published somewhere, send us a message and we’ll likely share it on our social media as well. If you’d like to translate the Free Private Cities book, contact us directly.
If you think that a certain country could be considered as a host country, please have a look at our wish list first. Please discuss it with people you know who have insights or influence in the politics of the country in question and tell us which of these points are deemed feasible. Further plans for the establishment of a Free Private City or a Prosperity Zone can be made once these questions are answered.
Thank you for your continued interest and support. To express our gratitude, we are giving away three copies of the Free Private Cities book. You can participate through this link.
Free Private Cities Book Giveaway
For any questions, proposals, criticism, etc. you are welcome to write us at [email protected].
Monaco, September 2019
Titus Gebel
