The relevance of the presented problems in the paper is conditioned by the fact that in conditions of instability of economy the regulation of free economic zones allows the governments of the countries in the territory of which they are created, to alleviate crisis situations in the national economy, to stimulate industrial production, export, growth of foreign currency income and thus improve the balance of payments of the State that in the result has a positive impact on economic growth and improving in the level and quality of life of the population. The purpose of this paper is to identify and substantiate form the theoretical and practical points of view the main directions of regulation of free economic zones in the Russian Federation in a challenging economic environment contributing to the stabilization of the economy as a whole. Methods to the study of this problem are: the method of comparative analysis, generalization and systematization of facts, methods of factorial, graphical, financial analysis, method of economic and mathematical modeling.  The article presents the stages of development of the economic zones from their inception to the modern state, both in Russia and in Europe. The estimation of efficiency of Russian free economic zones is given; prospects are identified for the use of foreign experience of free zones in a challenging economic environment. The practical value is determined by the possibility to use the developed in the study proposals for the comprehensive improvement of the zonal policy of the Russian Federation.

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