Uzbekistan: Gradual Economic Opening Amid Continuing Challenges

Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev will be re-elected in an un-competitive popular vote on July 9. Since coming to power in 2016, his economic reforms have tangibly improved conditions for foreign investors. However, the business environment still suffers from clientelism, formal and informal political interference, a weak rule of law and the repression of civil society.