INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS OF THE BALTIC STATES IN THE TRANSFORMATION PERIOD: LITHUANIA, LATVIA AND ESTONIA

The aim of article is the analysis of international competitiveness and competitive position of the Baltic countries (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) in the period 1996-2006. The first, were defined expressions of international competitiveness of economy and international competitive position with simultaneous indication of suitable factors determining the changes of international competitiveness of economy. On the basis of conducted analysis, one may say, that the international competitiveness and competitive position of the Baltic countries is relatively low yet. However, in the years 1996-2006 appeared file gradual growth of competitiveness and competitive position of the Baltic countries on international arena, what confirms favorable changes of analyzed competitiveness indexes. The possibilities of increasing international competitiveness of the Baltic countries depend on, whether lite Baltic countries will fully use existing chances resulting mainly from the membership in the European Union. Moreover, the improvement of international competitiveness of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia depends on overcoming of existing barriers, such as the necessity of public finance reforms, continuation of structural reforms, enlargement of investments, increasing the elasticity of lite labour market and the gradual aiming at knowledge based economy.