THE ROLE OF SMALL BUSINESSES AND STARTUPS IN ECONOMIC GROWTH

his article comprehensively analyzes the contribution of small businesses and startups to national economic development, their role in employment, gross domestic product (GDP), and innovation. The study draws comparative insights from Uzbekistan as well as Germany, South Korea, and the USA. The article examines SMEs' GDP share, regional distribution dynamics, and the strategic importance of startups in forming the innovation ecosystem. Existing institutional barriers and recommendations are also presented.本文全面剖析了小微企业与初创企业对国民经济发展的贡献，及其在就业、国内生产总值（GDP）与创新领域的重要作用。本研究以乌兹别克斯坦、德国、韩国及美国为研究对象，展开比较分析并提炼相关洞见。本文探讨了中小企业（Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, SMEs）的GDP占比、区域分布动态，以及初创企业在构建创新生态系统中的战略价值。此外，本文还梳理了当前存在的制度性障碍，并提出了针对性的优化建议。