A number of strategies were employed by the Cassa per il Mezzogiorno in the 1950s to improve the industrial sector and to reduce the north–south economic divide.
Transport infrastructure
The Autostrada del Sol motorway opened up access between the Mezzogiorno and the rich markets of the north of Italy and Europe. Better access meant lower transport costs, which made the region more attractive to outside investment.
Fig. 21.16 The port of Taranto.
Improvements to facilities at ports such as Bari and Taranto allowed more efficient import of raw materials and export of finished goods, increasing their attractiveness as industrial locations (Fig. 21.16).
Growth poles
A number of centres were designated as growth poles. ‘Engine firms’, such as iron and steel production and oil refinery, were located here. The presence of these industries would stimulate development by attracting related industries such as engineering and the manufacture of chemicals.
The industrial triangle of Bari, Brindisi and Taranto consists of three growth poles. Catania, Augusta and Syracuse form another triangle on the island of Sicily (Fig. 21.17).
Pescara Rome Foggia Bari Porto Torres Sardinia Cagliari Palermo Sicily Key
Fig. 21.17 Industrial growth centres.
Mezzogiorno northern limit Growth pole
Investment
The Cassa directed state-controlled industries to locate 40% (later increased to 80%) of new investment in the south.
Other incentives included tax breaks, capital grants and advance factories on industrial estates.
Former agricultural workers were provided with training and further education to increase the skilled labour pool.
