Innovation has never been higher on the economic policy agenda, and features prominently in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Republic of Tajikistan has achieved strong economic and social development over recent years, and has made important steps in moving away from a factor-driven to an efficiency-driven model of growth. Innovation will be crucial to moving towards the next level of economic prosperity, and the right policy measures will play a decisive role.
The Innovation Performance Review of Tajikistan continues the series of national assessments of innovation policies, which includes earlier Reviews of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Armenia. This policy advisory work draws on the experience accumulated by the UNECE in the identification of good practices and policy lessons in the area of knowledge-based development, in particular concerning the special circumstances of countries with economies in transition.
This Review presents the outcomes of an advisory project undertaken at the request of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan. It provides a set of recommendations and options to encourage innovation and enhance the effectiveness of public policies. Close collaboration with the national authorities and other experts from Tajikistan throughout the project has ensured that the final assessment reflects a common understanding of the situation in the country and the validity of the proposed recommendations.
Innovation is a complex process that involves multiple actors. The UNECE Reviews take a comprehensive approach that looks critically at the different components of the national innovation system, their mutual relations and the overall economic, institutional and policy context in which innovation activities take place. This distinctive approach provides a solid foundation upon which areas can be identified where policy interventions could be most beneficial by removing bottlenecks and develop existing potential.
This Review was made possible by the generous financial support of the Russian Federation.