Specialisation of Regions in Bulgaria by Processing Industry Sectors

Regional specialisation by processing industry sectors in Bulgaria is studied through calculating coefficients of absolute and relative specialisation. Cluster and discriminant analyses are applied. A relationship between processes observed in Bulgaria and other Central and Eastern European countries is searched. Findings show that the specialisation of the regions in Bulgaria is yet to begin. Formation of clusters according to the specialisation process is also forthcoming. In the course of development of integration processes, Bulgaria will experience difficulties when entering the open European market and this will deepen the regional specialsation, predominantly in the field of labour-intensive branches with low capital-intensity.