Structural Transformation Through a Multi-vector Geo-economic Governance? BRI and Upgrading of the Uzbek Gas Industry

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Main author: Lombardozzi, Lorena
Format: Journal Article           
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id eprints-42567
recordtype eprints
institution SOAS, University of London
collection SOAS Research Online
language English
language_search English
description Gas is a strategic source of energy and Uzbekistan ranks 11th in the world for mining and 14th for reserves. The article investigates whether and how the BRI and Chinese capital have contributed to Uzbek structural transformation in the gas industry. It argues that although the Chinese BRI seems to adopt an extractive approach to acquire natural resources, its interventions are also an opportunity for multi-directional forms of upgrading in the gas sector, both directly and indirectly. Directly, first the Chinese involvement as a consumer has reconfigured geo-economic power relations around gas. Secondly, there is an unprecedented support by China to national infrastructure development, both as a lender and a producer. Thirdly, China is the main source of machineries to enable energy transmission. Despite these factors, BRI and the Chinese presence are contributing only marginally to upgrading. A coordinated industrial strategy coming from the Uzbek state remains a necessary condition for structural transformation.
format Journal Article
author Lombardozzi, Lorena
author_facet Lombardozzi, Lorena
authorStr Lombardozzi, Lorena
author_letter Lombardozzi, Lorena
title Structural Transformation Through a Multi-vector Geo-economic Governance? BRI and Upgrading of the Uzbek Gas Industry
publisher Springer Nature
publishDate 2024
url https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/42567/

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