Abstract
Central Asia, comprising Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, is witnessing a slow but promising rise in electronic trade (e-trade). Despite improvements in internet infrastructure and mobile penetration, e-trade in the region faces challenges including inconsistent regulatory frameworks, limited cross-border logistics, payment system fragmentation, and low consumer trust. This review synthesizes current data and literature on the digital commerce landscape in Central Asia. The article assesses country-level developments, infrastructure readiness, digital payment access, and trade facilitation gaps. Tables provide comparative insights on e-commerce penetration, internet access, payment preferences, and logistics performance. The paper concludes with a discussion on regional collaboration, policy alignment, and private sector innovation as keys to unlocking Central Asia’s e-trade potential.
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