UZBEKISTAN'S PURSUIT OF A MULTIVECTOR FOREIGN POLICY: THREATS AND PROSPECTS (THE ECONOMIC DIMENSION OF A BALANCING STRATEGY)

This article examines Uzbekistan’s multivector foreign policy between 2017 and 2025, focusing on its economic dimension. Drawing on legislative acts, presidential decrees, and data from the Statistics Agency, the study identifies key mechanisms of balancing among major powers. Using the IMRaD framework, it analyses investment flows and foreign trade indicators. The findings show that economic multivectorism has proven effective: over 2017–2025 foreign investment reached $120 billion, exports increased by 28% in 2025, and manufacturing’s share in GDP exceeded 80%. Risks persist due to high investment concentration from China (36–40%) and dependence on remittances. Institutional reforms, including KPIs for diplomatic missions, underpin longterm sustainability.