Analysis of the Comparative Advantage of Economic Sectors in Sistan and Baluchestan Province with Emphasis on the General Land Use Policies

Considering the significant role of regional planning in economic development programs—particularly within the framework of Iran’s general land use policies and the need to decentralize economic activities across diverse regions—it is essential to identify the unique capabilities of each region. Comparative advantage theory plays a crucial role in assessing the potential and strengths of regions to support regional planning objectives. This study focuses on analyzing the comparative advantages of economic sectors in Sistan and Baluchestan province, applying Balassa’s enhanced comparative advantage index for 2021. Employing a descriptive-analytical method based on documentary research, the findings reveal that the education sector, with a comparative advantage index of 2.49 percent, ranks highest among major economic sectors, followed closely by agriculture, hunting, forestry, and fishing at 2.33 percent. These findings highlight opportunities for national and regional policymakers to strategically promote production and employment in the province by leveraging these sectoral advantages.