Special Economic Zones Planning for Sustainable Ports: The Role of Research and Training in the Calabria Region

Special Economic Zones (SEZs) play a relevant role for countries to attract foreign investment and increase economic development. A Special Economic Zone (SEZ) can influence production efficiency through various channels. Different factors can contribute to increase the production of value-added other than the one linked with economic activities. This paper focuses on the possible contribution of research and training for increasing value-added in a SEZ context. Research Centres, and Universities, have to interchange with all productive sectors operating in the Special Economic Zones (SEZs). Systematic connections between research and production are needed. For this reason, in a strategic perspective, a set of actions can be planned and implemented with the aim to activate and consolidate interchanges of knowledge and skills among public administrations and private companies. The paper studies the role of research and training to realize a SEZ in the Calabria region (Italy). The specific SEZ constitutes an opportunity for the economic development of the existing industrial areas of the region, and particularly the transhipment hub of Gioia Tauro. The Special Economic Zone (SEZ) can support and be a booster for the potentialities of the hub port, in relation with the research centres and universities operating in the area of influence of the SEZ.