An input-output based methodology to estimate the economic role of a port: the case of the port system of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, Italy.

The paper illustrates the results of a research project aimed at identifying the main economic and industrial characteristics of the port system of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, Italy, and the role it plays within the economy. Combing a top-down and bottom-up approach, based on interviews and detailed data at firm level, a bi-regional input-output table is built with a special disaggregation of the 12 port-related sectors of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. The input-output table provides the basis for the estimation of a bi-regional input-output model. Drawing from the input-output literature, the paper also implements two methodologies to estimate: a) the level of self-sufficiency of the port system and b) its degree of substitutability, that is, what would happen if the Friuli Venezia Giulia port system closes down, completely or partially.