Teoretical-methodological basis for identification potential clusters in regional economics

The paper proposes method for identifying potential clusters in the regional economy. The method is based on the approach to the identification of clusters by M. Porter in U.S. (in 1990) and Canada (in 1997) economies. The presented method has been tested in the economy of the Central Black Soil regions of Russia. In particular, in Belgorod region we identified 36 types of economic activity, which could be integrated in clusters. It was Identified five potential clusters, which involved 26.7% of the total regional employment: agriculture, mining, metallurgy, production of machinery and equipment and building clusters. Using the proposed method will be useful for effective cluster policy in regions.