Mikhail Viktorovich Rozhko, Vladimir Rubtsov, Niyaz Kamilevich Gabdrakhmanov
In modern conditions the role of positioning and competitiveness of regions to fight for investments, innovations, high technologies considerably grew. Competitiveness of the region has to be considered on the whole complex of indicators which enter subsystems: population, economy, infrastructure, ecology. In work the scheme of blocks of components of competitiveness is used. On the basis of this scheme a set of diagnostic indicators was created. It includes twelve indicators characterizing a gross regional product, turnover of the organizations, innovative activity, transport network, emissions of pollutants, fixed assets, life expectancy, incidence, education level, the monetary income of the population, coverage by a television signal, investments. Comparative and competitive advantages of the Republic of Mari El are considered. A mark assessment of competitiveness of the region is given. Assessment of positioning of municipalities of the republic on a number of the indicators characterizing competitiveness is carried out. The Republic of Mari El loses in comparison with a number of regions of the Volga Federal District from the point of view of comparative advantages. The Republic of Mari El cannot be compared to other regions and in respect of manpower. Competitive advantages of the republic are weaker, than at other regions. The republic takes the last places in the district on a number of indicators. The republic has weak comparative and competitive advantages when positioning among other regions.