Fostering collaborative innovation through Public-Private Partnerships in Uzbekistan: challenges and opportunities for future growth
Fostering collaborative innovation through Public-Private Partnerships in Uzbekistan: challenges and opportunities for future growth

Summary/Abstract: This study aims to analyze the challenges and opportunities for developing participatory innovation through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in Uzbekistan and its role in the country’s future growth. Adopting a mixed (qualitative-quantitative) approach, data were collected through policy document analysis, semi-structured interviews with 30 key stakeholders (including government officials, private sector managers, and international institutions), and a review of 15 PPP projects in the IT, renewable energy, and urban infrastructure sectors. The findings show that the private sector’s share of innovative projects in Uzbekistan increased from 12% to 21% between 2019 and 2023, but structural challenges such as weak legal frameworks (34% of projects faced legal delays), insufficient institutional capacity (57% of state institutions lack a specialized PPP unit), and limited access to venture capital (only 8% of startups have benefited from PPPs) persist. On the other hand, opportunities such as a 25% growth in foreign investment in the ICT sector (2022), government economic reform programs (such as the 2030 Development Strategy), and international cooperation (such as the partnership with the Asian Development Bank) were identified as key drivers. The results of this research can be used as a roadmap for transition countries with similar economic contexts.

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