PROSPECTS FOR BUSINESS CLUSTERS IN THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA

The concept of business clusters dates to the emergence of industrial centers backed by trade during the late Renaissance and the early modern period. The modern economic map abounds with clusters, i.e. concentrated critical masses of geographically co-located companies, but clusters are not unique. They represent typical structures, maintaining the competitive advantages based on local conditions, traditions, and resources, aiming at raising these competitive advantages at a global level. Clusters are increasingly becoming an important feature of modern economies. The positioning of Bulgaria in the field of global technologies imposed and maintained by the leading economies implies an appropriate policy at a state level strongly dependent on innovations. On the other hand, innovations are linked with the potential for development of high-quality education in Bulgaria, based on knowledge, skills, and capacity for absorption and further development of new technologies, but coordination of innovation, education, and training policies with the needs of the labor market is required. From the economic and political point of view, business clusters can boost the economic development at the regional level in Bulgaria, due to the inclusion of the existing elements of the innovation infrastructure. On the other hand, the development and creation of new clusters is an important prerequisite for the establishment of sustainable links between education, training, and business, thus contributing to the implementation of standards for new competencies and professions. The location of vocational schools and relevant universities also predetermines the geographic positioning of clusters.