CURRENT STATE AND DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS OF GREEN INNOVATION ADOPTION AMONG SMALL BUSINESSES IN UZBEKISTAN

This paper examines the current state and development prospects of green innovation adoption among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Uzbekistan. Drawing on official statistics, government policy documents, and recent peer-reviewed literature, the study situates SME behavior within the country’s Strategy for the Transition to a Green Economy for 2019–2030 and identifies the structural, financial, and informational barriers that constrain eco-innovation uptake. The analysis shows that while Uzbek SMEs generate over half of national GDP and the majority of employment, their engagement with green technologies, green finance, and circular business models remains limited and uneven across sectors and regions. The paper concludes with policy recommendations aimed at accelerating green innovation diffusion consistent with international best practice and Uzbekistan’s revised 2030 renewable-energy targets.