Assessment of the Level, Direction and Factors of Structural Changes in the Irkutsk Region Industry

Abstract

It is known that the structure of industrial production in Russia was formed under the influence of many factors that caused its raw materials specialization and accelerated development of the military-industrial complex. Since the realization of the need for structural transformations (the beginning of the 90s), authorities, associations of industrialists and the scientific community have offered various options for actions aimed at mitigating (eliminating) accumulated and continuing to intensify structural deformations, some measures (programs) have been implemented in whole or in part. In addition, the modern actualization of import substitution processes should also have a significant impact on the structure of the economy and industry, in particular. As a result, there is a need to assess the direction and intensity of structural changes in industrial production over the period 1991–2023, as a result of which it is possible to judge the degree of impact and effectiveness of implemented measures, including in the field of import substitution, on the structure of industry. In the article, this assessment is carried out on the example of the Irkutsk region. According to calculations, the conclusion is made about the preservation and deepening of the raw materials specialization of the industry of the Irkutsk region, despite the measures taken. The key factor was the implementation of major investment projects in the field of oil and gas production, as well as their transportation, which led to a significant increase in the share of extractive industries. At the same time, there is a point-by-point growth in some manufacturing industries, including high-tech ones, which does not affect the structural dynamics as a whole, but proves the effectiveness of the measures taken in the field of import substitution and the development of manufacturing industries.