Competitiveness of blue economy in Latvia

Abstract

The aim of the research is to evaluate the competitiveness of the fisheries sector in Latvia. Based on the Model of the factors influencing competitiveness of the fisheries sector cluster developed by the author and methodology of the Index of Fisheries Sector Cluster Competitiveness the author determined the competitiveness level of the fisheries sector in Latvia and identified the spheres influencing competitiveness: facilitating and promising spheres as well as procrastinatory and stagnating spheres, as well as the possibilities of further development were established. The author has developed the evaluation methodology of the Fisheries Sector Cluster Competitiveness that can be used in any country in the fisheries sector (fishery, aquaculture, fish processing) for the evaluation of competitiveness. The elaborated methodology for evaluation of competitiveness may assist the institutions involved in the fisheries' policy formation to work more successfully and improve the common policy in the fisheries sector.