With the collaboration of Lucien Chaffa, Sarah Elimam, Aïchata Kone, Molivann Panot, Jeremy Schneider, Bilal Siddika and Adam Touré.

The study of competitiveness has long been constrained by traditional trade analyses, which focus on inter-industry flows between countries while overlooking the intricate interconnectedness of supply chains. This position paper advocates for the use of digital twin technology to replicate complex economic systems, enabling the modeling of firm-to-firm interactions and uncovering the micro-level impacts of macroeconomic phenomena. We present an integrated analytical framework to analyze the bi-national Great Lakes-St. Lawrence (GLSL) region, spanning Canada and the United States. The creation of a digital twin for this region represents a transformative step in the digitalization of regional economies. This framework provides an integrated analysis of trade, transportation, and environmental systems, enhancing our understanding of regional competitiveness and supporting strategic decision-making. It emphasizes the critical role of multimodal transportation networks, particularly in addressing the challenges posed by climate change, as a key determinant of regional competitiveness.