CLUSTERS – A NEW FORM OF REGIONS` DEVELOPMENT IN SLOVAKIA.docVIP

Chlebíková D. and Mráziková J. CLUSTERS – A NEW FORM OF REGIONS` DEVELOPMENT IN SLOVAKIA CLUSTERS – A NEW FORM OF REGIONS DEVELOPMENT IN SLOVAKIA Darina CHLEBíKOVá Janka MRáZIKOVá Economics Department, Zilina university Zilina, Slovakia darina.chlebikova@fpedas.utc.sk janka.mrazikova@fpedas.uniza.sk Abstract A new form of regions` development is based on development of territorial entity and utilization of specific region unique in order to underline region positives and create maximum work opportunities. These forms include parks and clusters. They are factors of productivity and competetiveness increase on the national and international scale. The effects are not permanent. In 2008 Slovak Republic signed an international treaty with other countries of the Middle and Eastern Europe regarding corporate strategies and future innovative goals and clusters politics. Keywords: globalization, clusters, region, small and medium enterprises, competitiveness, economic development, small and medium companies support 1.Introduction In a global world small and medium enterprises must constantly compete more and more with an international competition. As much as 99 percent of European businesses are formed by small and medium enterprises. Despite mentioned number these companies receive only 12 percent of state assistance that is assigned to the business sector. Most of the export belongs to a small number of bigger national companies. However small and medium enterprises have the main input on development and innovations in all segments, therefore it is necessary to grant them higher support and help them to be more competitive. There is a need of ?stronger policy“ for small and medium enterprises in European Union that will form new work positions and stimulate economic growth as well as it will help to face globalization, energetic and environmental c