| Abstract [eng] |
Master’s thesis analyses the problem of Free Economic Zones as a source of regional development process and its impact on the regional economic development. The goal of the thesis is to reveal economic impact of Free Economic Zones on regional economic development in Baltic States. Master’s thesis consists of introduction, main part, conclusions, recommendations, references and appendixes. Main part consists of 3 sections. The first section analyses the conception of free economic zones in the context of regional economic development. The second part presents methodological part of free economic zones’ impact on the regional economic development in Baltic States. The third part presents the results of the research of free economic zones’ impact on the regional (economic) development in Baltic States. The research has shown that although at different level in each investigated region, FEZs in Baltic States have impact on the regional economic development, providing new economic activities, investments in infrastructure, attraction of advanced businesses as well as formation of new businesses creates an impact on the regional economic development. In reference to the results of the research the following directions (recommendations) for the public administration bodies and the executive bodies of the FEZs of the sample were formulated: The national public administration bodies of Baltic States should concentrate on the improvements and possible investments on infrastructure of the FEZs. Also author strongly recommends the local public administration bodies of the host regions of the sample FEZs (Sillamäe, Liepaja and Šiauliai) to take (even) more active role in the development process. Strongly recommended by the author that both national and local public administration bodies of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to work on the policies in order to prevent or at least minimize the emigration and outflowing brain drain. Author strongly recommends that the sample FEZs to work on regional alliances such as clusters in order to maximize number of elements. Author strongly recommends Sillamäe Free Zone and Šiauliai Free Economic Zone to work on the future development activities concentrating on environmental issues as Liepaja Special Economic Zone already works on the topic. |
