Uzbekistan’s ambitious economic reforms have coincided with a renewed drive to plug the country into global value chains (GVCs). A double‑landlocked geography, state dominance in key sectors and heavy reliance on raw materials have historically limited the country’s participation in cross‑border production networks. This article analyses Uzbekistan’s current position in GVCs, using real data on trade composition, foreign direct investment (FDI), transport infrastructure, and digital connectivity. It evaluates recent improvements, such as a dramatic rise in the Logistics Performance Index (LPI) ranking, and quantifies the potential gains from deeper manufacturing integration. The discussion contrasts Uzbekistan’s performance with global and regional benchmarks, highlights policy reforms aimed at enhancing GVC participation, and provides recommendations to ensure that economic transition translates into higher value‑added exports and sustained growth