‘Boosting the Internationalisation of Firm through better Export Promotion Policies in Uzbekistan’ (2022)
This report assesses progress in the implementation of export-promotion initiatives since the 2017 OECD peer review of SME export promotion and takes stock of the disruptions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic to identify new challenges and priorities. The note suggests three sets of actions for the government to boost the internationalisation of firms: (1) further development of consulting activities to improve firms’ knowledge of foreign markets; (2) expansion of the export-promotion network abroad and the definition of a clear value proposition in target export markets; and (3) putting in place more systematic arrangements for monitoring and evaluation of export-promotion institutions’ activities.
‘Beyond COVID-19: Prospects for Economic Recovery in Central Asia‘ (2021)
Reflecting upon a number of long-standing structural issues in the region, as well as a range of phenomena and processes in the global economy, the report offers some initial guidance for a roadmap to build back better. At the heart of it is the need to ensure that the region’s private sector can make a bigger contribution to growth and job creation, and that its economic growth can be more sustainable and inclusive as a result.
‘Informality and COVID-19 in Eurasia: The sudden loss of a social buffer’ (2021)
COVID-19 has triggered an economic and public health crisis that has profoundly affected informal firms and employment in the Eastern Partner region, Central Asia, Afghanistan and Mongolia, where they have historically represented a large portion of economic activity. This note looks at the effects of the pandemic on informal workers and firms and discusses challenges that it has raised, including short- and long-term policy recommendations to ensure a sustainable and inclusive recovery for all.
‘Improving the Legal Environment for Business in Central Asia’ (2021)
This report discusses ways to improve the legal and regulatory frameworks for business and investment in Central Asia. It finds that whilst much progress has been made in a number of areas, efforts have largely focused on the “low hanging fruit” of reform: reforms whose transaction costs are minimal but which, on their own, are insufficient to substantially improve the business climate
‘Gender Gaps in Eurasia: The Daunting Effects of COVID-19’ (2021)
The report summarises the analysis of gender-specific obstacles that women in Eurasia face as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, ranging from wage and employment disparities to domestic violence and healthcare access issues. It suggests five sets of actions to ensure a sustainable and inclusive recovery for all: (1) measures to enhance women’s access to public health coverage; (2) steps to protect women’s integrity and reduce domestic violence; (3) measures to support women’s economic empowerment; (4) steps to enhance women’s influence in the public sphere; and (5) tools to enhance the quality of gender decision-making in government. Read more here.
‘Monitoring Competitiveness Reforms: Access to Finance for Firms in Mongolia’ OECD publication’ (2020)
In September 2020, the OECD, together with the EU and the government of Mongolia, discussed the challenges of access to finance for SMEs in Mongolia. This report summarises the OECD analysis, highlighting that strengthening SMEs remains a policy priority, as as their growth can contribute to the diversification of employment and exports, and therefore reduce dependence on extractive sectors. Access to finance in particular hinders firm growth, despite the development of several public financial instruments. The recommendations of the report address these remaining hurdles.
‘Boosting Firm Creation and Growth through Business Development Services in Kyrgyzstan’ OECD publication’ (2020)
In 2020, the OECD, together with the EU and the government of Kyrgyzstan, released the report on Kyrgyzstan’s private sector titled Boosting Firm Creation and Growth through Business Development Services in Kyrgyzstan. The report highlights both demand and supply challenges for business development services in Kyrgyzstan, based on a survey conducted with 250 firms in the country. It concludes with policy recommendations to policy-makers, development partners and businesses alike.
Brochure on the new phase of Central Asia Invest (2020)
This brochure was published in 2020 and provides an overview of the programme and the activities funded
‘Enhancing Competitiveness in Central Asia’ (2018)
During the previous phase of the OECD Policy Component, the report “Enhancing Competitiveness in Central Asia” was published. It highlighted the risks inherent in Central Asian countries’ reliance on minerals exports and remittances, as well as the challenges to be overcome to achieve more stable and inclusive growth. OECD work showed that ambitious reforms in three areas: governance, connectivity, and business environment are required to enhance the competitiveness of their economies, diversify the production structures and improve the resilience to external shocks. The report also summarises OECD work with Central Asian countries on access to finance, business internationalisation and skills development that are the result of country-specific projects carried out by the OECD, hand-in-hand with the governments of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan.