CIS countries competitiveness: measurement and drivers

The object of the research: interrelations of trade patterns and competitiveness in CIS countries. The main aim of the research: on the ground of revealing the world competitiveness indices of CIS countries to define the main drivers of economic growth and to find some possible solutions for strengthening competitiveness and trade facilitation of CIS countries in international trade. The methods: general scientific methods of analysis and synthesis, methods of grouping, detailing, generalization and systematization of data, as well as economic and mathematical models. The results:The article shows main approaches to definition of competitiveness, especially international competitiveness. The analysis of world indices (Global Competitiveness index, Doing Business Rank, Economic freedom index, Logistics Performance Index, Global innovation index) determine the main dominant drivers of competitiveness of CIS countries, and define different ways to develop the strategy of competitiveness and trade facilitation methods in world economy. The results can be usedto form nationalstrategies for strengthening competitiveness of CIS countries on national and regional integration levels; to stimulate economic growth in short and long run. Conclusion: There are a lot of world indices which analysis different aspects of countries development (political, economic, regulatory). These indices help countries' governments, trade partners, foreign investors, national enterprises and etc. in world economy. Wide-ranging reforms to address structural weaknesses and improve overall economic competitiveness have put greater emphasis on improving regulatory efficiency, enhancing regional competitiveness, and liberalizing different economic sectors. CIS countries use a lot of factors for economic growth forming national competitiveness. And, «basic requirements» are leading, then «innovation requirements». Thus, there are different strategies of competitiveness, different levels of specialization, different trade facilitation mechanisms and administration framework. To develop transparency and the same rules for development and regulation on integration level, CIS countries need to create common principles and mechanisms for development of competitiveness, that do not conflict with national.