COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES AND COMPETITIVENESS OF BULGARIAN EXPORTS

Abstract

The research analyses the comparative advantages and competitiveness of Bulgarian production and exports. The paper consists of two parts. Part one reviews some theoretical concepts about the nature of comparative advantages and interprets the indexes designed by B. Balassa and M. Amir. Part two provides computations of B. Balassa and M. Amir indexes and analyses obtained results to identify the comparative advantages and disadvantages of Bulgarian production and exports for certain commodities and commodity groups in the period from 2012 to 2016. Based on the findings of the analysis, we identify and summarise available opportunities for expanding or limiting the exports of certain commodity groups and raising the competitiveness of Bulgarian economy. The research employs mathematical and statistical methods, mainly the index method, in addition to the methods of analysis and synthesis.