Do Digitalization and Digital Finance Help Small Firms Survive Global Economic Uncertainty in Central and West Asia? Evidence from Rapid Surveys

The Russia–Ukraine conflict disrupted a V-shaped economic post-pandemic recovery in Central and West Asia. It affected global supply chains slowed the region’s growth momentum while adding inflationary pressures. Private businesses were adversely by impact of sanctions against Russian Federation, with effects being more pronounced for micro small firms. pandemic helped create base digitalized As began to be felt, how did business digitalization affect operations firms? Would digital finance help fill unmet financing demand from firms during difficult time brought conflict? This paper assesses on firms’ discusses effect finance, whether it helps survive uncertainty. uses linear probability regression based rapid surveys conducted seven Asian countries—Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan. results show that has yet allow take full advantage opportunities offers efficient operations. Digital well accepted used businesses, even those already digitalized. Based analysis, suggests four policy implications can promote use across region.