THE ECONOMY IN BIHOR COUNTY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC CRISIS

This paper proposes an approach of the relationship local-global in terms of the response of local economy to the challenges of the present economic and financial crisis. We reviewed some ideas from the specialty literature on the topic of the paper and we developed a case study on Bihor economy. The analysis of socio-economic indicators for the period 2008-2011 in Bihor county shows a specific response of Bihor economy to the economic crisis, arising from the particular conditions that characterize this area.Even if there are elements of convergence with the general features of the global crisis, there are a number of features that enable a rethinking of the role of the local, of communities in future economic developments. Taking into account the economic and demographic particularities of Bihor county, the local authorities have developed strategies that enabled a superior utilization of local potential and the reduction of vulnerabilities. Thus, in order to attract local and foreign investors, a network of industrial parks has been developed, along with providing facilities to potential investors. Located in the border area, Bihor county benefited from European funding opportunities specific to these areas, in this case HU-RO, which involved joint projects with the Hungarian areas bordering Romania, which were heavily accessed with visible results especially in the plan of SMEs, infrastructure, culture, education and health. Special attention was paid to energetic strategy as Bihor County has significant geothermal resources. Being a multi-ethnic and multi-religious county, a cultural strategy was considered appropriate, having as main objective the increase of quality, diversity, attractiveness of cultural life, intercultural support, stimulation of cultural performance, and the maintenance and restoration of cultural sites. Another strategy was developed in tourism marketing, as the tourism potential of the county is high, but poorly capitalized because of road, rail and air infrastructure, which is more precarious than in most areas of the country. The conclusions of the paper favor the idea of decentralization encouragement which allows greater flexibility and adaptation to \"the present time\", especially in terms of policies and strategies that can be shaped and implemented.