AZƏRBAYCAN İQTİSADİYYATININ RƏQABƏT QABİLİYYƏTİNİN ARTIRILMASINDA KLASTERLƏŞMƏNİN ROLU

One of the indicators characterizing the sustainable development of the national economy is competitiveness. To achieve this indicator, complex measures should be implemented in various sectors and regions of the countrys economy. Today, this problem is solved through flexible adaptation to changes in the world economy, digitalization and innovations. In any case, clusters play an important role in the development of the national economy. A cluster is a relatively stable set of specialized enterprises producing competitive products in the industry. In other words, clusters are systems of business entities operating in a similar sector, complementing each other and having communication capabilities in a specific geographical area. Within the cluster, there is competition between small and medium sized entrepreneurs operating in a similar field. One of the main conditions for entrepreneurial entities and other participants to operate simultaneously is to gain a competitive advantage. At the same time, with the application of the system, the costs of entrepreneurial entities are reduced, marketing opportunities are expanded, productivity increases, exports increase, and scientific research and development opportunities are strengthened. This leads to the launch of new products on the market, the establishment of new relationships, increased employment, regional development, and improvement of infrastructure services. Geographically favorable territory, abundance of natural resources, the presence of a scientific base, professional personnel, and developed infrastructure are important factors for the creation of industrial clusters. In this direction, clustering has been purposefully developed in the Azerbaijani economy in recent years. The need to integrate the cities and villages of Azerbaijan, liberated from occupation after a long period of time, into the countrys economy makes this issue even more urgent. Taking these into account, the role of clusters in ensuring the innovative development of the Azerbaijani economy and regions, including the Karabakh and East Zangezur economic regions, is reflected in the presented article.