Aimee Hampel-Milagrosa – författare

Azerbaijan has set the course for the economy to reduce its dependence on oil by promoting new drivers of growth. By 2025, under the government’s Strategic Roads Maps, a more diversified economy should take shape led by three sectors: agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing. Bold reforms need to strengthen areas of the economy that could otherwise impede this transition, and policy makers must resolutely stay on the reform path. The core message of this publication is diversification toward non-oil sources of growth alongside efforts to reduce macroeconomic risks and the high cost of finance, make the education system responsive to the needs of the labor market, close infrastructure gaps, and help economically significant state-owned enterprises become more efficient.

This report assesses the current ecosystem for tech-based startups in Azerbaijan, specifically in Baku, Ganja, and Shamakhi. It examines the extent to which the ecosystem fosters startups and identifies opportunities for strengthening this support.Technology-based startup enterprises are an increasingly important part of the business landscape in Asia and the Pacific. By applying innovative technologies to create new products and services, they can make a significant contribution to economic development while generating social and environmental benefits. However, to survive and then thrive, tech startups require an enabling ecosystem that includes supportive government policy, adequate access to capital, skilled personnel, and quality digital infrastructure. This is the fifth country report in the series "Ecosystems for Technology Startups in Asia and the Pacific.

This report explores Uzbekistan's nascent technology start-up ecosystem, outlines hurdles entrepreneurs face to turn ideas into viable businesses, and offers practical ways to create the environment they need to thrive.Analyzing start-ups focused on agriculture, education, health, and the environment, the report explains the need to bolster talent, increase access to funding and incubator programs, and find fresh ways for the government to lend support. It shows how increasing grants, starting a national investment fund, and engaging foreign expertise will encourage entrepreneurs to build and scale up new businesses while helping diversify Uzbekistan's economy. It is the ninth country report in the series Ecosystems for Technology Startups in Asia and the Pacific.