HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF TAX POLICY REFORMS IN THE CONTEXT OF WTO ACCESSION: THE EXPERIENCES OF KYRGYZSTAN, KAZAKHSTAN, AND TAJIKISTAN

This article provides a comprehensive historical and comparative analysis of tax policy reforms implemented in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan in the context of their accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The study examines the evolution of tariff liberalisation, value-added tax (VAT) and excise tax reforms, customs modernisation, fiscal restructuring, and institutional transformation undertaken to align domestic tax systems with WTO principles. Drawing on WTO reports, IMF publications, OECD studies, World Bank databases, and national government documents, the research identifies the major stages of reform, their fiscal implications, and the policy trade-offs associated with WTO integration. The findings indicate that WTO accession contributed to accelerating the transition from border-based taxation towards domestic indirect taxation, enhancing the transparency of customs administration, and supporting the modernisation of fiscal institutions. At the same time, the transition highlighted areas requiring further strengthening of fiscal resilience, including the growing role of VAT revenues and opportunities to enhance institutional capacity in relation to informal economic activity and tax administration. Overall, the comparative analysis provides insights into how WTO accession has influenced the evolution of tax policy and fiscal institutions across the three Central Asian economies.