In December 2019, Atabek Nazirov, head of Uzbekistan's capital market regulatory agency, prepared the release of Uzbekistan's capital market strategy. As Nazirov was getting ready to release the strategy, he reflected on the first year of his tenure and the steps ahead. Did he take the right actions to strengthen Uzbekistan's capital market? What additional features would the capital market need to build trust with both the citizens of Uzbekistan and international investors? How could he convince the critics within the administration that his focus on a market-based economy would serve Uzbekistan best? And how could he deliver quick results to retain the president's support?