Chemical industry as an economic growth driver of the country and the region

Current problems of the Russian Federation are intensified by the slowdown in the world economy: it is currency volatility, dependence of demand and prices on the main export goods in the world market, and decline in real income of population. A significant reduction in budget revenues from oil and gas exports is becoming a serious incentive for the development of economic sectors aimed at meeting domestic demand. In a crisis situation, the most urgent task is to find the most promising economic sectors that can become growth drivers for the entire socio-economic system. In this regard, the purpose of the research is to identify and scientifically substantiate the activation of the chemical industry: increased demand for its products will ensure the development of the economies of the country and the region and complex their structure. The chemical industry is one of the high-tech industries with a significant multiplier effect. The novelty of the results lies in the methodology development and tools improvement for assessing the effects of chemical production on the economy at the national and regional levels. The calculations make it possible to identify the main problems and limitations for the chemical production growth, to prove the importance of thedevelopment of this sector which is expressed in an increase in the main economic indicators. As the methodological basis of the research, the author used the general scientific methods of analysis, synthesis, comparison, generalization, as well as tools based on the methodology of intersectoral balance. Further research will continue the search for new growth points and the most optimal directions of structural changes for the transition of the country and the region to sustainable socio-economic development.