The purpose of this study is to examine the intensity of technology and knowledge transfer to the selected Baltic countries through foreign direct investment. The intensity of technology and knowledge transfer across the Baltic countries varies widely, with Estonia showing the leading position in the Baltic region. The amount of foreign direct investment in three countries is linked with the level of technology and knowledge transfer. It is indicated that during the Financial Crisis in 2008, the extent of foreign direct ownership changed in all three countries and later recovered. In the aftermath of this disruption, countries recovered their stock Foreign direct investment attraction rates and almost reached their 2004 level. Latvia has achieved a 50 per cent increase among Baltic countries, benefiting from it. Foreign direct investment and technology transfer increased through effective strategies and policies. In contrast, Estonia maintains a sustained stock foreign direct investment and has moderately lower margins than in other Baltic countries. Among countries, Estonia is the dominant stock FDI absorber in the Baltic region and have made significant contributions in the region.

The active spread of COVID-19 and the resulting containment measures have made it clear that both supply and demand and global production networks are facing unprecedented shocks and disruptions. Accordingly, this has resulted in an urgent need to investigate countries’ competitive situation (and its changes) during a prolonged period of uncertainty. This study aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the revealed comparative advantage (RCA/ Balassa index) of the Baltic states’ industries. The Balassa index was calculated for nine industries in three Baltic States (Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia). The RCA index calculations were linked to COVID-19 cases in the countries under consideration by forming a regression equation. RCA index values and their changes were evaluated by analysing data before and after the pandemic, covering the period between 2017 and 2021. This study revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on each Baltic country’s competitiveness in trade with EU countries is significantly higher than in trade with third countries. The results show that Baltic states did not have a comparative advantage in trade with third countries during this time. However, Lithuania and Latvia proved to be more resilient to the consequences of the pandemic, even though industries with a low RCA were more affected. Meanwhile, in trade with EU countries, many of the Baltic states’ industries appeared to have a comparative advantage, which began to decline a few years before the pandemic’s start. Nevertheless, highly competitive Baltics industries showed remarkable resilience to the impact of the pandemic. However, a short-term decrease in the RCA was observed in individual cases.

Dedicated to publishing articles analysing the current economy, sectoral situation and development of business strategies for local and foreign markets, which contributes directly to Central and Eastern European economic development.

This paper explores the impact of COVID-19-induced disruptions on supply chains, specifically focusing on the interconnectedness of supply chains and the transmission effects they cause. The gravity model framework, together with difference-in-differences analysis, is employed to analyze monthly trade patterns among Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries, Western European countries, and other trading partner countries. The model presented accounts for the country’s roles in global value chains (GVCs) by incorporating data related to exports, imports of intermediate and capital goods, and imports of final consumption goods. CEE countries have demonstrated a certain resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, they were not immune to adverse consequences due to disrupted supply chains, primarily in the imports of intermediate and capital goods. We find that the countries that suffered from the COVID-19 pandemic the least demonstrated remarkable resilience against disrupted GVCs. The findings of our study enrich the literature on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically for the CEE region, by providing a framework for understanding the pandemic’s impact on international trade. The results show that supply shock might be greater than demand shocks on production and trade dynamics. Furthermore, our results suggest that policymakers seek adaptability to changing supply and demand patterns, while enterprises should consider broader diversification both within the region and locally.