Economy and industry in Campania. Which policy for lasting growth?

After a triennium (2015-2017) of relative growth, the economy of Campania (and the Mezzogiorno) has significantly slowed down, and the gap with Centre-North has increased again. Thus, as in the past, the economic, institutional, social, and political aspects of the structural fragility characterizing the region have again made the positive short-term conjuncture little effective in triggering a real and durable process of convergence towards the more developed Centre-Northern regions. This paper aims to single out the strengths and weaknesses in the industrial structure of the region by focusing specifically on firm demography; industrial specialization; firm productivity, competitiveness, and financial conditions; the propensity to innovation and international openness. Hingeing on the results of this analysis, features and targets for suitable policy measures are proposed, aimed at promoting a faster pace in the near-future development of Campania and the Mezzogiorno in order to overcome their long-lasting gap with Centre-Northern Italy and other European regions.