Integration of new regions into the country’s economic space through transport corridors and interregional production cooperation

Abstract

The article examines the economic integration of new territories into the unified national economic space through the accelerated development of transport corridors and the deepening of interregional production cooperation under conditions of high market volatility and pronounced spatial disparities. It is shown that the substantial gap in gross regional product per capita between developed centers and integrating territories, as well as the fragmentation of logistics standards and infrastructure gaps, translate into an 18-24% increase in the cost of final products and a decline in competitiveness. Using econometric tools, input-output tables, gravity models of trade, discounted cash flow assessments adjusted for regional risks, and scenario-based general equilibrium modeling (panel data for 2019-2023, 14,500 observations), the study identifies nonlinear effects arising from the coupling of infrastructure investment with industrial policy. Quantitative estimates demonstrate sectoral heterogeneity in sensitivity to reductions in logistics burdens: the largest increase in profitability is observed in the production of construction materials due to the dominance of transport costs in total costs, while metallurgy and mechanical engineering exhibit more moderate but устойчив gains. A comparison of inertial, moderate, and accelerated network development scenarios over a 15-year horizon captures scale effects and the emergence of network effects upon reaching a critical density of infrastructure: increases in IRR and substantial growth in NPV indicate the economic feasibility of the accelerated option when properly synchronized with the placement of industrial parks and hubs. The depth of integration into national value chains is measured by an index of cooperative connectedness, the growth of which is statistically associated with faster gross value added expansion and reduced volatility of regional output once threshold levels are exceeded. Additionally, the role of transport accessibility in retaining human capital is substantiated: increases in travel time are accompanied by a sharp decline in productivity, while investments in mobility manifest through labor market expansion and growth of the tax base. The proposed metrics and scenario assessments enable the use of the results for prioritizing infrastructure projects, calibrating cooperation incentives, and forecasting integration effects in the medium- and long-term horizons.