Uzbekistan: the silk road to nowhere?

The Central Asian country of Uzbekistan has adopted a unique transition strategy of gradual, state-guided development in which stability and equality are principal objectives and in which growth is sought for now by exporting staple raw materials and importing capital equipment to assure energy independence and to invest in backward-linkages into cotton fabricating, chemicals, and other manufacturing branches. Sharp criticisms of the'Uzbek Road'by multinational agencies unfairly neglect positive aspects of the transition record to date in comparison with other post-Soviet states of the area.