State-led transformation and economic growth in Central Asia: From plan toindustrial policy

The article explains differences of initial conditions between countries of Eastern Europe and the former USSR, and argues that: 1) the strengthening of sovereign states in the latter has objectively been the first priority s ince their independence, the speed and sequence of market reforms and the o pening economy has been subordinated to this task; 2) the pace and characte r of the reforms depends on the specific circumstances in the country, but their respective economic and social costs is the main criteria; 3) economi c growth both negative and positive in a new independent country is the cum ulative result of various factors, and could not be explained as the sole o utcome of transition. Analysis of reforms and economic growth in five indep endent states of Central Asia proves these arguments and gives evidence, th at state-led gradual transition and integration to the world market in Uzbe kistan has been the least costly and more fruitful in terms of economic gro wth and sustainable human development.