STRUCTURAL TRANSFORMATION AND EXPORT SOPHISTICATION IN CENTRAL ASIAN ECONOMIES: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF PRODUCT COMPLEXITY, СТРУКТУРНАЯ ТРАНСФОРМАЦИЯ И ТЕХНОЛОГИЧЕСКАЯ СЛОЖНОСТЬ ЭКСПОРТА В СТРАНАХ ЦЕНТРАЛЬНОЙ АЗИИ: СРАВНИТЕЛЬНЫЙ АНАЛИЗ СЛОЖНОСТИ ЭКСПОРТНОЙ КОРЗИНЫ, МАРКАЗИЙ ОСИЁ МАМЛАКАТЛАРИ ЭКСПОРТИ СТРУКТУРАСИДАГИ ЎЗГАРИШЛАР ВА ЭКСПОРТ МУРАККАБЛИГИ: МАҲСУЛОТ МУРАККАБЛИГИ БЎЙИЧА ТАҚҚОСЛАМА ТАҲЛИЛ

<jats:p>Central Asian economies have experienced notable economic restructuring and growing integration into global markets in recent years. This study analyzes the Product Complexity Index (PCI) of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan from 2017 to 2024. Results show modest complexity gains in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan, linked to gradual industrial upgrading, while Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan exhibit declining complexity due to reliance on low-value, resource-based exports. Strengthening product complexity is essential for export diversification, technological upgrading, and sustainable long-term growth in the region.</jats:p>