International Experiences in Small Business Formalization and Their Adaptation to Uzbekistan: A Comparative Policy Analysis

Small business formalization is commonly addressed through business registration reforms, preferential taxation, and strengthened regulatory enforcement. However, international empirical evidence suggests that the effectiveness of these policy instruments varies considerably across enterprises and institutional environments. This article systematically compares empirical evidence from Brazil, Mexico, Benin, Sri Lanka, Bolivia, and Viet Nam and assesses the applicability of these international experiences to the institutional and economic context of Uzbekistan. The research methodology combines a structured narrative review of peer-reviewed studies employing causal and quasi-experimental approaches with an assessment of institutional compatibility and a synthesis of policy design considerations.