Prioritary economic sectors
Based on the economic data presented in the Regional Socio-Economic Profile, and after the consultation and involvement of the partners in the regional working groups between 2005 and 2006, both authorities responsible for development planning from the local/county authorities, including the County and Local Councils, and the economic and social partners, several prioritary economic sectors in the region have been identified for the programming period 2007-2013.
In each county of the region the partners were consulted regarding the priority sectors, using mainly the classical focus-group method, but together with an inquiry based on a questionnaire during some meetings carried out in the county councils, with the representatives of the economic agents in the priority sectors identified in the county and with other relevant partners (also from the Regional Planning Committee).
Methodology
The economic sectors were evaluated and identified depending on:
1. The importance of the sector for the local/regional development (from the point of view of employment, incomes, taxes and dues, etc.);
2. The competitive potential (the existence of brands, the presence on the national/international markets);
3. The innovative potential (development of new products);
4. The potential of stimulating the development in the local/regional economy.
The criteria used for the identification of the priority sectors
* The existence in the area of natural resources that can sustain the development of the sector;
* The sectoral structure of the economy;
* The existence of qualified work force in the area or in the adjacent areas (or at least the access to the necessary education infrastructures – especially professional and technical and/or university education).
The evaluation made by the partners was statistically perfected by the North-West RDA and, based on the results obtained, the priority sectors of the Region were established. Also, the results of the inquiry and of the consultations helped validate the results obtained in the previous stage.
The sectors are defined as priority sectors in the region, that will guarantee the competitive advantages in the national and global competition, having the innovation potential at an European level. These are the sectors that must be taken into consideration by the local and regional development policies. According to the scores obtained, the sectors were subsequently grouped in three categories:
Support sectors
Several counties in Romania are interested in their development, and there are favourable conditions to build specific competencies of the North-West Region (Northern Transylvania) and to guarantee competitive advantages in the national and global competition:
· IT&C
· Superior education and research
· Tourism
· Agriculture
· Food and consumer industry
· Automotive and equipment industry
Maintenance sectors
These sectors have a high degree of occupation in certain TPUs (Territorial Planning Units), ensuring the economic support for the well-being of these areas. However, their development outside these TPUs is not predictable in the lack of the attraction of very important investors. In this case, the option is to guarantee the conditions necessary for maintaining the interest of multinational companies in the respective fields for the investments in the North-West region, avoiding their delocalization:
· Metallurgic industry
· Rubber industry
“Dilemma” sectors
Their future evolution is rather uncertain. The Region could develop certain competitive advantages, but at the present moment nothing is certain in this matter:
· Plastic mass industry
· Transportation and transportation related activities