This book reviews and analyses the comprehensive socioeconomic reforms undertaken in Uzbekistan since 2016 by the government led by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The volume takes the reader through the different sectors of the economy and the effects of reforms on the country’s citizens. The various developments are detailed, examining the gains and the gaps in terms of policy and implementation. Using the broad tools of economics and, in particular, of development economics, the authors present evidence to drive their conclusions and recommendations, and also draw on comparative cases from policy and practice to illustrate alternative approaches and results from measures in other transition countries.
Implementing Uzbekistan’s ambitious economic transformation into a market economy is a challenging process that takes time. This book provides the first systematic and comprehensive discussion of the government’s reform areas, including the macroeconomic fundamentals, business and investment climate, the energy, transport, health, education, social protection, financial, banking and agriculture sectors, regional trade, tourism and transport connectivity, reform of state-owned enterprises, as well as public services, citizen engagement and gender equality.
a. List of Tables b. List of Figures c. List of Boxes d. The Editors and Contributors e. Foreword –Bakhrom Mirkasimov and Richard Pomfret Foreword to the SDG Forum – Jeffrey Sachs f. Introduction 1 Our Main Goal Is Building a Social State for People – Sodyq Safoev 2 An Outsider’s View of Reforms – Cindy Malvicini g. List of Abbreviations and Acronyms 1Uzbekistan before and after the 2016 Socio-Economic Reforms – Justin Yifu Lin, Jia Yu and Shakhzod Nomozov 2. Economic Reforms and Macroeconomic Developments – Lawrence Dwight 3. Healthcare Reforms and Achievements – Iroda Akhmedova, Charles Becker and Michelle Schultze 4. The Financial System - Davit Babasyan and Martin Melecky 5. Agriculture and Rural Development Reforms – Nodir Djanibekov, Thomas Herzfeld and Martin Petrick 6. Land Tenure Change and Agricultural Production and Productivity in Uzbekistan – Lijie Ni, Kamiljon Akramov and Shenggen Fan 7. Trade and Logistics – Richard Pomfret and Jamshid Normatov 8. Living Standards, Wellbeing and Poverty – Akhtem Useinov and Kathryn Anderson 9. Institutions, Gender, Governance – Randall K. Filer, Nargiza Alimukhamedova and Ahliddin Malikov 10. Sustainable Development Goals, COVID-19 and the Government’s Response – Etenesh B. Asfaw, Obid Khakimov and Zohid Askarov h. Index
Bakhrom Mirkasimov is Rector, Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT). Richard Pomfret is Professor of Economics Emeritus, University of Adelaide, Australia, and Senior Adjunct Professor in International Economics, The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS Europe), Bologna, Italy.
