What differentiates a core industry from an enabled industry?

The distinction between core industries and enabled industries is primarily centered around their functions within the economy. Core industries are foundational sectors that produce essential goods and raw materials, such as agriculture, mining, and manufacturing. These industries are fundamental to the economy as they provide the basic products that meet primary human needs and lay the groundwork for further economic activities.

Enabled industries, on the other hand, enhance or facilitate the delivery of core industry products and services. They often include sectors such as finance, technology, and logistics, which improve the efficiency, distribution, and overall value of the goods produced by core industries. Enabled industries play a critical role in supporting and optimizing the operations of core industries, but they do not typically produce the primary goods themselves.

This distinction highlights that while core industries are necessary for the economy's functioning by supplying fundamental goods, enabled industries add value and improve the effectiveness of those goods within the market and society. The other options either misidentify the relationship between these industries or inaccurately describe their roles in the economy. For instance, size is not a defining characteristic, as enabled industries can vary widely in scale and impact. Additionally, the notion of technological dependence is not definitive, as both core and enabled industries utilize technology, albeit in different ways.