Bergamo's strong industrial sector

This chapter evaluates the economic performance of Bergamo to identify strengths and areas for improvement. The chapter has three sections. The first provides a diagnosis of the industrial sector, identifying the importance of the tradeable sector to the regional economy. The manufacturing sector has been particularly important to regional economic performance and has maintained its share of the economy whilst its composition is changing. The second section focuses on some key drivers of productivity for Bergamo’s industry and finds that greater investment in human capital and innovation is required to overcome stagnant productivity growth and declining competitiveness. Section three examines the process of internationalisation for industry in Bergamo. Although export performance is strong, further effort is required to attract foreign investment to shift from lower to higher technological activities.