Explaining the Role and Importance of Border Markets in Sustainable Development in of Surrounding Areas (Case Study: Bilehsavar City)

Today, the development of border markets is considered as one of the most known methods of border areas economic development. Border markets have contributed to the frontiersmen by providing a significant level of need of the people through the border exchange, smuggling trade subsides, reducing crime and unrest, improving frontiers’ livelihoods and economic, socio-cultural and security of these areas. The general aim of this study was to investigate the role and importance of establishing border markets in the sustainable development of surrounding areas. The main research assumption is that the border markets have an increasing role in the sustainable development of their surrounding areas. The research findings indicate that the border markets had a major role in improving the living standards of the people, reducing poverty, increasing income, production and employment promotion, reducing immigration and led to ethnic and cultural homogeneity in the border areas. Meanwhile, the study has addressed the analysis of the role and importance of border markets in sustainable development in of the surrounding areas. Based on this, Bilehsavar border market in Ardabil province was selected as the research sample. The role and importance of border market in the economic, cultural, social, and security development around border areas has been assessed by data analysis using descriptive and analytical method, library and field studies (experimental), interviews and observations.