TEL AVIV, January 22. /Dunyo IA/. Uzbekistan is rapidly emerging from the shadows of the post-Soviet periphery and positioning itself as one of Central Asia’s key centres of influence, according to a report published by the Israeli daily “Maariv”, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

The publication notes that large-scale economic reforms launched by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the influx of tens of billions of dollars in investment and a sharp increase in interest from the United States are reshaping Uzbekistan’s standing on the global stage. A defining symbol of this new reality, the article argues, is Uzbekistan’s invitation to attend the G20 Summit in Miami in 2026 - a move that diplomats have described as a geopolitical breakthrough for Tashkent.

The report highlights that in 2025, Washington significantly intensified its engagement with Uzbekistan, recognizing the country as a promising strategic partner. Following a series of visits by high-ranking U.S. officials, the two sides signed economic agreements worth tens of billions of dollars across sectors including resource extraction, aviation, energy, infrastructure and information technology.

Economic indicators underscore Uzbekistan’s rapid transformation: GDP growth has exceeded 6.5%, investments have risen by nearly a third and major global corporations, including “Boeing” and “Coca-Cola”, have established offices in Tashkent. The country is also emerging as a new hub for tourism and logistics, with Samarkand positioned as the showcase of the “New Silk Road.” International institutions and regional analysts increasingly speak of a “new political and economic reality” taking shape in Central Asia.

Against this backdrop, Israel faces questions about the pace and scale of its engagement with Uzbekistan. Tel Aviv has already played a notable role, supporting Uzbekistan’s bid to join the World Trade Organization and expanding bilateral trade. However, the speed with which major global powers are entering Tashkent is prompting Israeli strategists to ask whether their country is acting vigorously enough to secure a foothold in the region’s rapidly evolving economic landscape, the report notes.