Potential for social and economic development of border areas of the Republic of Buryatia

Based on the analysis of socio-economic potential of the five municipal districts adjacent to the border with Mongolia - Kyakhtinsky, Dzhidinsky, Okinsky, Zakamensky and Tun- kinsky, we present their general characteristics, trends in demographic state, structure of municipal economies. The article identifies interdistrict differences associated with industrial, human and natural capital, their strengths and weaknesses. We drafted proposals for socio-economic development of the border areas of the Republic of Buryatia through the revitalization of strengths and weaknesses, formulated priority directions for extension of crossborder cooperation with neighboring aimags of Mongolia, interregional cooperation with municipal districts of the neighboring Zabaikalsky Krai, Irkutsk Oblast and municipalities of the Autonomous Region of Inner Mongolia.