Meftiem International Trade Zone

The Meftiem International Trade Zone is a a globally significant economic cooperative established in 1916 in the Republic of Morella. It consists of gold mining facilities and refineries operated by corporations from Morella, Lespia, Valgsland and Rizia, as well as the jointly owned Muardien Port. At the heart of the zone is the Meftiem basin, a unique geological formation filled with layers of sedimentary rock containing an extraordinary concentration of gold. During the years of the Empire of Moridia, some rudimentary attempts were made at extracting gold from the basin, but conflicts with the Valgos and Mousser Empires hindered that development. Mining operations began in earnest after Morella established itself as an independent republic; however, they were vulnerable to frequent sabotage from neighboring Derdia. To deter these attacks and encourage further investment in the Meftiem basin and its surroundings, Morella's fifth prime minister Leon Xin-Lefevre came up with the idea of inviting international partners to join the venture. A complex series of negotiations ensued with Rizia, Lespia and the Valgos Empire, eventually resulting in the trade zone's founding. Each nation now holds a 25 percent stake in the MITZ, and is entitled to use state or private contractors to exploit the resources therein. Critics of the Trade Zone argue that the labor and environmental regulations implemented therein are lower than in any individual country, and calls have been made for higher and more unified standards.