Industrialization is the main engine of development for any national economy. In particular, the construction sector plays a leading role in reforms aimed at renewing the country's infrastructure and improving the living standards of the population. At the same time, the demand for construction products is increasing year by year. In Uzbekistan's New Uzbekistan Development Strategy for 2022-2026, transforming industrial sectors, producing high value-added products based on local raw material base, and import substitution are identified as key tasks [1].

In this process, the construction materials industry holds a priority position. This is because this particular sector serves as the main base for the construction of residential buildings, educational and medical institutions, roads, factories, and strategic facilities. To meet domestic market demand, ensure quality, and maintain stable prices, it is necessary to reform enterprises in the sector and introduce modern management methods [2].

Unfortunately, currently, most enterprises in the construction materials industry operate independently, the level of cooperation between them is low, innovative renewal is slow, supply and logistics systems are inefficient, and resources are wasted. This leads to an increase in product cost, losses in the production process, and a decrease in competitiveness.

World practice shows that integrated, clustered systems between sectors can increase industrial efficiency several times over. For example, "industrial parks" in Germany, clustered technopolises in South Korea and China, and free economic zones in Turkey demonstrate the successful implementation of this model [3].

A cluster is not just a collection of enterprises, but a holistic ecosystem of innovations, personnel training, scientific research, financing, and export support. By introducing a cluster system in the construction materials industry, raw material suppliers, manufacturing enterprises, logistics centers, construction companies, and marketing agencies can work together. This serves to reduce costs at all stages of product movement, control quality, and stabilize prices.

In Uzbekistan, efforts have also been made in recent years to implement the cluster principle in various sectors. In particular, it is yielding results in agricultural sectors (cotton-textile, horticulture, livestock). Now, applying this experience to industrial sectors, including the construction materials sector, is a requirement of the time.

Today, industrialization processes in Uzbekistan's economy are entering a new stage. That is, the focus is not just on increasing production capacities, but on managing them with high efficiency, integrating them based on cooperative networks, optimizing costs, and producing competitive products. From this perspective, the construction materials industry plays a crucial role not only in meeting the country's domestic needs but also in expanding national export potential.

In world practice, clusters are also proving to be a key tool in diversifying the economy, increasing exports, and ensuring regional development. In particular: in China, "industrial clusters" are widely supported through local governments and state programs, with production costs under control; in Germany, digital technologies are being introduced through clusters within the "Industry 4.0" concept; in Turkey, clusters in the construction materials industry are significantly contributing to increased exports [4].

In Uzbekistan, too, the policy of clustering is being promoted at the state level through localization, production of import-substituting products, and establishment of regional industrial zones. Introducing such a system in the construction materials industry is the most optimal and pressing solution for strengthening competitiveness by achieving economic efficiency, rational use of resources, ensuring quality, and reducing costs.

From this perspective, this topic is extremely relevant not only for science and scientific research but also for economic policy, business practice, and regional development strategies [5].

In recent years, a number of international and local studies have been conducted on the formation of a cluster system in the construction materials industry and its impact on economic efficiency. An analysis of scientific sources in this area shows that authors generally evaluate the cluster concept as an innovative approach to industrial development, but there are various approaches and problems in its practical implementation.

American economist Michael Porter, in his famous work "Clusters and the New Economics of Competition," views clusters as a key strategic tool for increasing national competitiveness. In his opinion, close cooperation between manufacturers, educational and research institutions, and state organizations emerges through clusters, which serves to rapidly implement innovations and reduce production costs [6]. However, Porter's model has been criticized for not sufficiently taking into account factors such as local conditions, regulatory policy, and resource potential.

In reports prepared by the European Union and the OECD, it is emphasized that industrial clusters are important in stimulating economic growth and technological transfer. In particular, it is noted that in developing countries like Poland, Hungary, and Lithuania, positive results have been achieved through clusters in terms of rational use of local resource bases, production of export-oriented products, and integration of small business entities into the industrial chain [7]. However, in these models, the proactive role of the state is insufficient, meaning that the responsibility placed on businesses themselves has not yielded the same results everywhere.

M.Q. Qurbonov and J. Abdullaev, in their work, emphasize that the availability of natural resources, labor force, regional logistics, and domestic market demand are important factors for forming industrial clusters in Uzbekistan. They present scientific analyses showing that as a result of clustering in the construction materials industry, product cost can be reduced by 20–25%, and logistics costs by up to 30% [8]. However, their research does not sufficiently focus on issues such as cluster management mechanisms, a clear model of public-private partnership, and long-term financial stability.

D. Mamarasulov's research emphasizes the necessity of evaluating the clustering process not only from an economic perspective but also from the viewpoint of regional development and job creation. In his theoretical model, production, education, credit, and export systems are viewed as interconnected systems. Mamarasulov's advantage is that he views clusterification as a complex system, but his recommendations on methods for measuring the financial efficiency of existing cluster pilot projects are not sufficiently developed [9].

In UNIDO and The World Bank reports, the following conditions are noted for effective use of clusters: technological renewal, integration with the personnel training system, (3) infrastructural support, and strategic leadership by the state [10]. In Uzbekistan, currently, only infrastructural aspects are prioritized among these conditions, which hinders the full formation of the cluster as an ecosystem.

The cluster system is widely studied today as one of the effective methods for industrial development, shortening the production chain, and implementing innovations in the global economy. Among other sectors, a number of scholars have scientifically substantiated that cost reduction and price efficiency can be achieved in the construction materials industry through clustering.

Enrico Piccoli, in his research titled "Industrial clusters and competitiveness in construction materials," states that clusters in the construction materials industry serve to reduce costs by 15–25% through close cooperation with local mineral resources, cement and brick manufacturing plants, and logistics companies. In his analysis, the centralization of infrastructure and the standardization of production technologies between enterprises are noted as decisive factors [11]. However, Piccoli did not sufficiently evaluate the role of government policy in implementing the cluster.

S.A. Fetisov views industrial clusters as "inter-sectoral innovative complexes" and notes technological transfer and integration with educational and scientific institutions as their main task. He deeply analyzed the impact of cement and concrete production clusters on the technological modernization process using examples from the construction materials sectors [12]. However, the centralized management in the Russian model does not fully correspond to the reality of Uzbekistan.

In the work "Economic Foundations of Clustering in Uzbekistan" by Fazluddin Nishonov, I. Juraev, and Sh. Islomov, the authors analyzed costs at each stage in the value chain of production within clusters based on local resources. They showed local material resources and logistics opportunities by studying Navoi, Jizzakh, and Kashkadarya regions for establishing clusters in the construction materials sector [13]. However, their analyses were mainly based on general economic indicators, and market mechanisms and the competitive environment were not sufficiently taken into account.

Anna Muñoz, in her research titled "Construction clusters and sustainable urban development in Spain," emphasizes that construction clusters not only reduce costs but also play an important role in stimulating economic activity around cities, proximity to consumers, and ensuring ecological efficiency [14]. In certain cases, it is noted that clustered construction companies achieve better results in resource recycling and waste management.

A.N. Ilyasov, in his doctoral dissertation on "Mechanisms for Regional Industrial Development Based on the Cluster System," showed how the cluster model stabilizes the local market in construction materials production [15]. Ilyasov's research pays special attention to the contractual relations between cluster entities and their legal mechanism. This aspect is not sufficiently covered in most studies.

From a critical perspective, specific cluster models for the construction materials sector are rarely studied in existing literature. Many studies examine general industrial clusters, but the specific characteristics of this sector by industries for example, heavy logistics, the unique volume and weight of raw materials, the long technological cycle are not taken into account. Therefore, it is scientifically necessary to develop a specialized cluster model for the construction materials industry adapted to local conditions.

The research incorporated a hybrid qualitative-quantitative design, combining comparative analysis, economic-statistical and systematic synthesis with the purpose of evaluating the cost-efficiency potential of erecting a cluster system in the sphere of construction-materials in Uzbekistan. The method used multisource data that involved peer-reviewed sources, government policies and documents, and reports in the sector. The analytical stage utilized the content analysis method, opposing the data that lays in the repertoire of the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan, i.e., the price of production, the effectiveness of logistics, consumption of energy resources, the trend of employment, and the level of innovation within the clusters of and the enterprises that are not included in clusters. The concept of deduction, abstraction and synthesis techniques were utilized in explaining the causality between the formation of clusters and achievements of reducing wastes, surplus in export as well as improved technological integration. Additional viewpoints were obtained through the expert testimony and cross-country comparisons with Germany, China, and Turkey hence providing the context of the Uzbekistan clustering potential. The tabular representations used to produce visualisations showed different cost structures and patterns in operation efficiencies. The study was based on empirical data and industry specific indices as opposed to other studies based on mere theoretical assumptions. Rational generalisation and methodical synthesis provided strategic suggestions focusing on how clumping can at the same time augment microeconomic performance, like cost-performance of firms, and enable macroeconomic goals, such as employment growth, diffusion of innovation and regional growth.

In the last five years, the construction sector has become one of the fastest-growing sectors in Uzbekistan. Based on state programs, hundreds of schools, kindergartens, hospitals, roads, multi-story buildings, and other structures are built every year. In such large-scale construction activities, the demand for construction materials is not only increasing but also high demands are placed on indicators such as quality, stable price, and supply time. However, the current production order cannot fully meet these demands.

The main problems in the sector are: fragmented operation of enterprises, low level of mutual cooperation; inefficient use of energy resources, high cost, and technological deficiencies; disorganized logistics system - losses in the chain from raw material source to production, and from production to construction sites; high dependence on imports, especially for insulation, high-strength, and special-purpose materials needed in large construction projects; insufficient integration of small and medium-sized enterprises, shortages in financial, technological, and human resources.

To solve these problems, a new approach the cluster system is required. Through clustering, all participants in the industry raw material suppliers, manufacturers, logistics companies, construction organizations, educational and scientific institutions, financial institutions unite in one system. This not only allows for cost reduction but also improves product quality, shortens the supply chain, and enables the introduction of modern technologies (Table 1).

The construction materials industry is one of the sectors that should be viewed not as the "main obstacle" but as the "main pillar" of the economy. This sector is not only strategically important for residential and infrastructure construction but also directly supports hundreds of additional sectors transport, logistics, architecture, engineering, and service industries. From this perspective, forming a cluster system in this sector is an important instrument for achieving economic efficiency, regional development, and social stability in the country.

Based on the conducted research and table analysis, the following main conclusions were developed:

The cluster system is a strategic direction for creating a stable and competitive environment in the construction materials industry. To increase its effectiveness, the following practical measures can be recommended:

Forming a cluster system in the construction materials industry is not a temporary reform, but a priority strategy for competitively and sustainably reorganizing national industry. Through this system, not only cost efficiency is achieved, but also a great impetus is given to balanced economic growth, regional equality, innovative transformation, and the development of the business environment. Therefore, its theoretical foundations and practical solutions should be in the focus of state policy, entrepreneurs, and the scientific community.