Uzbekistan pushes digital, aiming to formalize shadow economy

Tencent-backed Uzum hopes superapp ecosystem will help institutionalize businesses

Tashkent's market traders tend to transact in cash. (Photo by Alina Vozniuk) 

ISTANBUL/TASHKENT -- Uzbekistan banned cash transactions for key items this month as part of a drive to raise digital penetration and trace businesses, but critics say it may be a struggle to draw the roughly $41 billion shadow economy online.