REGIONALIZACION IN THE WESTERN BALKAN COUNTRIES BETWEEN WISHES, OPPORTUNITIES AND ILLUSIONS

Abstract

The following study focuses on the analysis of the role of regionalization in restoring propulsive  development in the Western  Balkans. The following paper  is based on the hy- pothesis that regionalization (statistical,  administrative, political or any mix of them) only makes sense if it is put to use creating the conditions  for spatial cohesion. Its mission is to unify the efforts  of sub-regions  and local governments to mobilize the resources  provid- ing conditions  for: (1) export  business and private  (productive) investment, (2) labor and (3) life in general.  In the context  of this hypothesis,  the paper  is divided into three  parts. The first part  deals with the constitution of framework for reforming  regional  and local policies, based on the request  that their main task is to put all of their resources  into eco- nomic  and  development function. The  second part  deals  with  the  key  issues  and  contro- versies of the application of the mechanism  of public-private partnership (PPP)  projects to overcome the consequences of regional, sub-regional and local transitional depression. The third section discusses the role of regionalization in the formation and development of optimal dynamic combination of three basic  production and  organizational models of modern industry (Clusters, Industrial districts, Poles  of generic growth). A  key  result is that  the  main  task  of the  (economic) regionalization is to constitute adequate network of regional generic growth poles. The development of (regional) generic growth pole  growth by creating an internationally competent staff and generating innovation, leads to opening space  for rehabilitation development functions of related industrial districts and small and medium industrial centers.