THE IMPACT OF INFRASTRUCTURE-ORIENTED FISCAL POLICY ON REGIONAL COMPETITIVENESS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20594350Abstract
This thesis examines the role of infrastructure-oriented fiscal policy in strengthening regional
competitiveness and promoting balanced socio-economic development. The study analyzes the theoretical
foundations of infrastructure investment within the framework of regional development theories, fiscal
decentralization, and New Economic Geography. Particular attention is given to the relationship between public
infrastructure expenditures, investment attractiveness, business activity, and territorial integration. The research
highlights that transport, energy, logistics, and communication infrastructure significantly influence regional
productivity and economic concentration. The case of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Karakalpakstan is used
to evaluate the practical importance of infrastructure-oriented fiscal mechanisms under environmentally and
economically constrained conditions. The findings indicate that targeted infrastructure spending contributes
to investment growth, employment generation, and improved regional competitiveness. At the same time,
inefficient allocation of public resources and institutional weaknesses may reduce the effectiveness of fiscal
policy. The study concludes that differentiated infrastructure policy, combined with fiscal sustainability and
institutional modernization, is essential for achieving long-term regional development.
Keywords
Infrastructure policy, fiscal mechanisms, regional competitiveness, fiscal decentralization, territorial development, public investment, regional inequality, New Economic Geography, Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan.References
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