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Ways to Assess The Effectiveness of Free Economic Zone Management Activities
Corresponding Author(s) : Ataismatov Iqboljon Zumratjonovich
American Journal of Economics and Business Management,
Vol. 8 No. 4 (2025): April
Abstract
Free economic zones (FEZs) serve as strategic mechanisms in stimulating industrial development, attracting investment, and fostering international trade within modern economic systems. In Uzbekistan, the rapid increase in the number of FEZs has intensified the demand for improved management efficiency to enhance their contribution to national development. Despite global advancements in FEZ management, many zones in Uzbekistan suffer from centralization, lack of KPI-based evaluations, and insufficient digital infrastructure, highlighting a gap between current practices and best-performing international models. This study aims to analyze institutional and economic effectiveness indicators of FEZs in Uzbekistan, identify systemic barriers to efficient management, and propose improvement strategies based on global experience. The analysis revealed that most FEZs operate under centralized management structures with limited autonomy, underdeveloped digital monitoring, and minimal private sector involvement. The Navoi FEZ, however, showed significant investment and enterprise growth from 2019 to 2024. The research introduces a multi-dimensional evaluation framework combining KPI analysis, SWOT diagnostics, and international benchmarking to assess and enhance FEZ performance in Uzbekistan. The findings suggest a policy shift toward decentralization, private sector engagement, digitalization, and the introduction of a standardized KPI system to improve FEZ governance. These recommendations offer a practical roadmap for Uzbek policymakers to align with global standards and maximize economic returns from FEZs.
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- S. F. Primov, 2022 г.
- E. A. Matushevskaya, «An integrated approach to evaluating the effectiveness of functioning of free economic zone», Ekon. Reg. Econ. Reg., вып. 3, с. 870, 2018.
- N. K. Nazarov, «Analysis of statistical indicators of the efficiency of business entities in free economic zones of Uzbekistan», Econ. Innov. Technol., т. 6, вып. 12, 2023.
- R. Arbolino, T. L. Lantz, и O. Napolitano, «Assessing the impact of special economic zones on regional growth through a comparison among EU countries», Reg. Stud., т. 57, вып. 6, сс. 1069–1083, 2023.
- Y. J. Ahn, Z. Juraev, и J. Y. Gu, «Barqaror o’sish uchun O’zbekistondagi erkin iqtisodiy zonalarni tahlil qilish», Indoneziya Geogr. Jurnali, т. 56, вып. 1, сс. 44–51, 2024.
- D. Tokhtamurodov, «Effectiveness of managing the development of free economic zones», Kokand Univ. Bull., т. 9, вып. 9, 2020.
- V. Auruskeviciene, L. Salciuviene, R. Kuvykaite, и L. Zilys, «Identification of key success factors in free economic zone development in Lithuania», Econ. Manag., 2007.
- S. M. Kongela, N. D. Mugeta, и C. A. Lucian, «Influential factors for effective facilities management practices in public special economic zones (PSEZ): a case study of Benjamin Mkapa and Hifadhi SEZs in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania», J. Facil. Manag., 2025.
- A. Pak и F. Majd, «Integrated coastal management plan in free trade zones, a case study», Ocean Coast. Manag., т. 54, вып. 2, сс. 129–136, 2011.
- O. Boniface, «Janubiy Afrikada maxsus iqtisodiy rayonlashtirish dasturlarini amalga oshirishni takomillashtirish strategiyalari», Strategiyalar, т. 6, вып. 11, 2015.
- O. A. Sinenko, «Methods of assessing of tax incentives effectiveness in special economic zones: an analytical overview», J. Tax Reform, т. 2, вып. 3, сс. 168–178, 2016.
- J. K. Panigrahi и P. K. Mohanty, «Sohil zonalarini boshqarish va uni SWOT tahlilidan foydalangan holda baholash bo’yicha Hindiston qirg’oqlarini tartibga solish zonalari qoidalarining samaradorligi», Okean Va Qirgoqlarni Boshqarish, т. 65, сс. 34–50, 2012.
- Statistics Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan, «Statistical data of the Statistics Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan were used».
- X. Chen, «The evolution of free economic zones and the recent development of cross‐national growth zones», Int. J. Urban Reg. Res., т. 19, вып. 4, сс. 593–621, 1995.
- H. G. Grubel, «Towards a theory of free economic zones», Weltwirtschaftliches Arch., т. 118, вып. 1, сс. 39–61, 1982.
References
S. F. Primov, 2022 г.
E. A. Matushevskaya, «An integrated approach to evaluating the effectiveness of functioning of free economic zone», Ekon. Reg. Econ. Reg., вып. 3, с. 870, 2018.
N. K. Nazarov, «Analysis of statistical indicators of the efficiency of business entities in free economic zones of Uzbekistan», Econ. Innov. Technol., т. 6, вып. 12, 2023.
R. Arbolino, T. L. Lantz, и O. Napolitano, «Assessing the impact of special economic zones on regional growth through a comparison among EU countries», Reg. Stud., т. 57, вып. 6, сс. 1069–1083, 2023.
Y. J. Ahn, Z. Juraev, и J. Y. Gu, «Barqaror o’sish uchun O’zbekistondagi erkin iqtisodiy zonalarni tahlil qilish», Indoneziya Geogr. Jurnali, т. 56, вып. 1, сс. 44–51, 2024.
D. Tokhtamurodov, «Effectiveness of managing the development of free economic zones», Kokand Univ. Bull., т. 9, вып. 9, 2020.
V. Auruskeviciene, L. Salciuviene, R. Kuvykaite, и L. Zilys, «Identification of key success factors in free economic zone development in Lithuania», Econ. Manag., 2007.
S. M. Kongela, N. D. Mugeta, и C. A. Lucian, «Influential factors for effective facilities management practices in public special economic zones (PSEZ): a case study of Benjamin Mkapa and Hifadhi SEZs in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania», J. Facil. Manag., 2025.
A. Pak и F. Majd, «Integrated coastal management plan in free trade zones, a case study», Ocean Coast. Manag., т. 54, вып. 2, сс. 129–136, 2011.
O. Boniface, «Janubiy Afrikada maxsus iqtisodiy rayonlashtirish dasturlarini amalga oshirishni takomillashtirish strategiyalari», Strategiyalar, т. 6, вып. 11, 2015.
O. A. Sinenko, «Methods of assessing of tax incentives effectiveness in special economic zones: an analytical overview», J. Tax Reform, т. 2, вып. 3, сс. 168–178, 2016.
J. K. Panigrahi и P. K. Mohanty, «Sohil zonalarini boshqarish va uni SWOT tahlilidan foydalangan holda baholash bo’yicha Hindiston qirg’oqlarini tartibga solish zonalari qoidalarining samaradorligi», Okean Va Qirgoqlarni Boshqarish, т. 65, сс. 34–50, 2012.
Statistics Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan, «Statistical data of the Statistics Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan were used».
X. Chen, «The evolution of free economic zones and the recent development of cross‐national growth zones», Int. J. Urban Reg. Res., т. 19, вып. 4, сс. 593–621, 1995.
H. G. Grubel, «Towards a theory of free economic zones», Weltwirtschaftliches Arch., т. 118, вып. 1, сс. 39–61, 1982.