Kryshchenko D. Foundations of Strengthening Competitiveness of National Economy

Theoretical and methodological basis of competitiveness at different levels of economic relations is studied in the dissertation. The term of Competitiveness of national economy is defined as level of country's development which determines its ability to provide such conditions for doing business that local producers' goods and services are able to win competition at global markets with simultaneous stable economic development provided. Analysis of major problems of the national economic development is done as well as of their influence on the national economy competitiveness indicators. It was proved that such direction of the country's development as European integration is favourable for forming and strengthening the competitiveness of Ukrainian economy. For the purpose to shorten the gap between Ukraine and most developed European countries as well as to strengthen the competitiveness of Ukrainian economy it was proposed to use potential opportunities arisen from organising big sport events such as EURO-2012. The innovation-oriented economic development step-by-step as a part of the Ukrainian competitiveness forming is proposed in the dissertation. The schematic model of the national economic competitiveness forming is elaborated and priority directions of the social and economic development of Ukraine are identified based on such model. The key aspect of such model is elimination of crucial gaps in development and forming basis for quick scientific and economic development in up to 2017 time period. Concerning the state regulation for the short and medium terms the recommendations are given for strengthening Ukrainian economy competitiveness, approach elaborated for quick calculation of Competitiveness Index for Ukraine based on data of the State Statistics Service of Ukraine. During the nearest five year period it was proposed to put special attention of the state regulation at such directions: elaboration of the national competitiveness strategy; assistance to cooperation between education, science and business; investment in human capital that is the basis of the future "economy of knowledge". Creation of the Center for scientific, research and engineering works is proposed with the purpose to conduct the state innovation and investment policy and technological activities directed to the latest technological development stages.