Final answer:
Countries designate free trade zones to reduce export and import barriers, in line with the World Trade Organization's goal of facilitating international trade.
Step-by-step explanation:
When looking to facilitate exports and reduce bureaucratic delays associated with nontariff barriers and protectionism, countries often designate certain areas as free trade zones. These zones are set up to encourage international trade by reducing the barriers and regulations that can increase the cost and difficulty of doing business across borders. The purpose of these zones aligns with the efforts of the World Trade Organization (WTO), which works to negotiate reductions in barriers to trade on a global scale.