Public-private partnership

Introduction

Uzbekistan is witnessing rapid infrastructure development and increased investment through public-private partnership (PPP) mechanisms. The number of PPP projects is growing fast — for example, in 2021 alone, the PPP Development Agency implemented 183 projects worth approximately $2.6 billion[1]. At the same time, there is growing attention to the environmental sustainability of such projects, as industrial modernization leads to increased pressure on the environment. Environmental expertise and environmental impact assessment (EIA) have become key tools for ensuring a balance between economic development and environmental preservation. Their effectiveness directly depends on the quality, transparency, and compliance with environmental standards during the planning and implementation of projects.

In 2025, a new Law “On Environmental Expertise, Environmental Impact Assessment, and Strategic Environmental Assessment”[2] was adopted, aimed at improving the transparency and effectiveness of environmental reviews. Its development was based on international experience (USA, EU, Japan, Russia, etc.) and recommendations from the World Bank (WB), the UN, EBRD, OSCE, and other organizations. All of this highlights Uzbekistan’s commitment to integrating international environmental standards into national practice.

The article provides a comparative analysis of the legal regulation of public-private partnerships (PPP) in Central Asian countries: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. It examines the specific features of legislative frameworks, institutional mechanisms, and the practical outcomes of their implementation. Kazakhstan is identified as the most advanced jurisdiction with a detailed regulatory base and established assessment methodologies, while other countries face the challenge of strengthening institutions and improving procedures. The study concludes that the effectiveness of PPP development directly depends on the quality of legislation, the degree of transparency in processes, and the state’s readiness to engage in genuine partnership with the private sector.

This paper examines the key factors driving countries to adopt toll highway models, the mechanisms of toll collection (vignettes and electronic systems) in Europe, as well as tariff practices in Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia.

Particular attention is given to Uzbekistan’s planned projects — the “Tashkent–Andijan” and “Tashkent–Samarkand” toll roads — their potential, associated risks, and impact on the development of the national road network.

Discover how public procurement drives infrastructure, boosts local entrepreneurship, and strengthens Uzbekistan’s economy. In this article, we explore its strategic role in development, transparency, and international competitiveness — backed by global comparisons and OECD data.

📈 A must-read for anyone interested in economic policy, governance, and sustainable growth!

📌Public-Private Partnership (PPP) has long ceased to be merely a theoretical concept and has become a tool for implementing socially significant and infrastructure projects. Given limited budget resources and growing societal needs, PPP has become an increasingly relevant form of collaboration between the state and private partners. 

🔎This article examines the primary PPP models and mechanisms, their characteristics, advantages, and limitations, as well as an analysis of international experience.