KOLOTOV SERGEI I.

Despite the considerable research and study of theoretical issues and practical experience in the sphere of formation and implementation of the cluster policy, raising competitiveness of the region, the solution of this problem remains highly relevant. The purpose was the study of the concept of cluster and cluster policy which opened a new perspective for the development of national and regional economies and is considered as one of the most important factors of regional competitiveness at the present stage. The primary chosen method was the comparative analysis of the cluster theory and cluster policy given in the research materials and scientific works by the Russian and foreign scientists. It is emphasized that the cluster policy can be effectively implemented basing on the specific features of the economic structure on the scale of the Russian Federation territory. The cluster policy is integrated into the Russian economy of the regions in conjunction with other approaches developed and successfully applied in the planned economy. The following types of clusters are considered by the author: industrial (outside the exact region), the ones that have the explicitly expressed shares of the participation of the companies in the process of the formation of the added value and the clusters inside the particular region. They are distinguished, as a rule, by a high concentration of small and medium companies, therewith the entrepreneurs have the explicitly specified specialization and aim to comply with the requests of the consumer market. The conclusion is made that the main prerequisites of the formation of the effective cluster system in Russia can become the presence of the competitive enterprises in the region, the wide range of the economic agents.