The Marche’s economy - 5 areas of excellence for the restart

In the coming years, the region needs to exploit the unique features of its production system, overcoming the structural weaknesses linked to the size of companies, innovation capacity, the ability to attract skilled labour, the geographical fragmentation between the coast and the interior, and the ability to break into international markets.

We have identified five areas of excellence, both traditional and more innovative niches, on which a new economic and production model could be built:

• the district manufacturing system;
• organic farming;
• tourism;
• education;
• the circular economy.

The future development of the Marche will be inextricably linked to its ability to adapt in the post-Covid era, exploiting the following enablers:

• infrastructure and logistics measures: essential for increasing business competitiveness, primarily through better connections with neighbouring regions with airport or railway hubs that are well connected with European destinations;
• investment in digitisation: essential for enabling companies to improve their performance in global markets, as well as to increase their appeal to people and businesses;
• measures to close the growing gap between the interior and the coast: essential for limiting the trends of population decline and erosion of the productive and social fabric of inland areas;
• increasing the ability to attract highly qualified human capital: essential for increasing innovation in businesses.

The Marche's success in building a more stable future will also depend on its ability to create a network with neighbouring regions in central Italy - in particular, Abruzzo and Umbria - and on the correct use of public funds earmarked for investment in the coming years