Cambridge Central Asia Forum invites you to a talk by
Lorena Lombardozzi, The Open University, London
on
Structural transformation and the upgrading(s) of the Uzbek gas industry through a multi-vector value chain
Date: 17 November 2023
Time: 11am-1pm
Venue: Room 138, Alison Richard Building and Zoom Registration: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYlfuqqpj8rHdGf7IdH4sg8Q5ueO9U1XSsN#/registration
Biography: Dr Lorena Lombardozzi, Senior Lecturer in Economics at The Open University. She is also affiliated with the Cambridge Central Asia Forum, University of Cambridge. She works on International Political Economy, with particular reference to Uzbekistan and Central Asia. For a list of her work see https://www.open.ac.uk/people/ll5543#tab3
Abstract: 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 lending have contributed to Uzbek structural transformation in the gas industry. It argues that although the Chinese BRI seems to adopt an extractive approach, 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 unprecedented support by China to national infrastructure development, both as a lender and a producer. Thirdly, China is the main source of technology to develop 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.
Everyone is welcome.