One of the most important factors of economic development is foreign trade, and Central Asian economies are heavily dependent on trade. The paper discusses recent trends and patterns in the total and intraregional trade of Central Asia (including Afghanistan) and assesses their importance and...

This report features the baseline survey findings for the project Social Cohesion through Community-based Development. The baseline survey, administered at the individual, household, and community levels, and with a sample of 2,000 households and over 6,000 individuals, offers comprehensive...

We study the impact of bride kidnapping, a form of marriage practiced in Central Asia and elsewhere, on infant birth weight. Considerable debate exists as to whether kidnapping is merely ritualized elopement, or whether it involves bride coercion. To the extent that it is non-consensual, we...

In recent years, there has been a critical shortage of teachers and medical workers in the Kyrgyz Republic. To address this problem, the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic substantially increased salaries of education and health care workers in 2011. The government doubled, and for some...

The Kumtor gold mine is the Kyrgyz Republic's largest enterprise. This paper provides details of the mine's operations and documents its current socioeconomic contribution to the Kyrgyz economy including GDP, exports, investment, and the government budget and social development of the country....

This paper examines how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can serve as engines for economic growth. Relevant international trends are explored before we home in on the regional experience, focusing on Central Asia. It should be noted that the number of SMEs engaged in trade in the region...

This paper discusses trends in and patterns of trade in agricultural and food products in Central Asia. The analysis shows that these products' exports lose and imports increase its importance for all economies of Central Asia. Trade policies with regards to agricultural and food products vary...

This study examines the practice of public policy decision-making by the central government and national regulatory and administrative authorities of the Kyrgyz Republic. Its main focus is the institutional framework of the public policy-making process in various ministries and government...

This paper presents the results of a study of the micro-, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector in Tajikistan, with a focus on its role in the economic growth of the country. Tajikistan has experienced a significant improvement in economic performance during the last decade. This growth is...

This paper examines recent developments in the garment production sector in Kyrgyzstan that contributes significantly to GDP and employment. The paper analyses the factors that led to the impressive growth of garment manufacturing. The export volume of Kyrgyz clothing to the Russian Federation...