Assesment of sectoral competitiveness in TR62 region

Technological developments after the Industrial Revolution and globalization have boosted the trade and integration between countries and increased the growth rates of the countries. The intense competition in the new world order puts countries and regions into a race, and development efforts have created regional development trend. Turkey aims to reach the level of developed countries that can compete internationally in this race. In this thesis study, sectoral competitiveness is analyzed in order to provide economic development in the TR62 Region, which is the growth center in the southern Turkey. It is expected to reach the results that will lead decision makers determine the areas which the resources should be directed for developing the region. Within the scope of the postion of TR62 Region in Turkey and economic outlook of Adana and Mersin, analysis were made by employment, exports and net sales data and competitive sectors were identified. According to the results obtained from analyzes and evaluations, it has been determined that sectors of crop production, food products, wholesale and retail trade and logistics in both provinces; sectors of textile products, chemical products and plastic products in Adana and sectors of non-metallic minerals, forestry and logging in Mersin are the most competitive sectors. Competitiveness analysis of logistics sector which is competitive in both cities was made. In the following studies, it is proposed to extend the analyzes based on the two-digit statistical data in more detail, to set sectoral strategies and road maps using models such as research and innovation strategies (RIS3) and clustering. Keywords: Competitiveness, competitive power, sectoral competitiveness, regional development