Enhancing the Export Potential of Small Business and Private Entrepreneurship in Uzbekistan
Abstract
This study examines the factors that shape the export potential of small businesses and private entrepreneurship (SBPE) in Uzbekistan, with a focus on the Surkhandarya region. SBPE has been shown to support sustainable growth, regional development, employment and integration into global value chains. However, key constraints to export performance include limited access to finance, weak logistics infrastructure and costly certification. The research employs econometric models (OLS and panel regression), gravity analysis and index-based measures (Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA), Trade Complementarity Index (TCI) and Productive Capacity Index (PCI)) to evaluate competitiveness and diversification. The findings suggest that improved financial access, digital trade platforms and state subsidies have a positive influence on export growth, whereas logistics and certification costs hinder it. Regional results show that Surkhandarya's exports increased 1.6-fold between 2020 and 2024, although there are still significant disparities between districts. Rising RCA and PCI values signal a shift towards higher-value output and quality improvement. The paper recommends strengthening financial support, upgrading logistics, streamlining certification processes and accelerating digitalisation alongside industrial modernisation, e-commerce expansion and the development of regional export clusters, in order to foster inclusive and sustainable SBPE export growth.
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