The Economics of Geography

China halts export ban to US on critical materials

China has suspended its export ban on key technology metals to the United States, including gallium, germanium and antimony – materials vital for semiconductor and high-tech production – Beijing’s commerce ministry announced on Sunday.

A new chapter in Uzbekistan–EU relations: why the EPCA matters

On 24 October 2025, Uzbekistan and the European Union signed the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) — a comprehensive framework that culminates negotiations launched in February 2019 and initialled in July 2022.

China seeks to open doors wider

China will take the initiative to open wider in the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said Friday.

The Importance of Logistics and Transport Infrastructure Development Projects within the European Platform "GLOBAL GATEWAY"

In recent years, cooperation between Uzbekistan and the European Union has reached a new level. In particular, transport and logistics are becoming one of the most important and strategic areas of this cooperation. By the end of 2024, Uzbekistan's freight traffic volume with Western countries amounted to 2.8 million tons, of which over 1 million tons were transported through Caspian Sea ports.

IMF expects 4% growth for Middle East, Central Asia in 2025

The economies of the Middle East and Central Asia are expected to expand by about 4 percent in 2025, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced recently, highlighting the region’s resilience amid global economic uncertainty and persistent geopolitical tensions.

Hungary as a forerunner in the East

Pandemics, armed conflicts, trade wars – in this tense international environment, international financial cooperation is becoming increasingly valuable. It is no coincidence that the banking sector has long been a pioneer of global collaboration: in payment systems, for instance, borders have practically disappeared, while banks jointly finance large-scale investments and comprehensive green projects. We spoke with Levente Kovács, Secretary General of the Hungarian Banking Association and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Asian Financial Cooperation Association (AFCA), about the prospects of European–Asian cooperation and Hungary’s role within it.

Central banks in the service of stability

At the end of August, the Magyar Nemzeti Bank, the central bank of Hungary, in cooperation with the Asian Financial Cooperation Association (AFCA) and the Hungarian Banking Association, hosted the two-day AFCA Financial Summit Forum at the MNB headquarters in Budapest.

The New Economic Agenda of the Turkic World: Uzbekistan Sets the Strategic Direction for the OTS Development

The modern global economy is undergoing profound transformation. Global competition for markets is intensifying, logistics routes are shifting, and new centers of growth are emerging. Against this backdrop, risks and uncertainties are increasing, which requires flexibility and coordinated action from countries.

Uzbekistan’s Priorities in the Organization of Turkic States: A Factor Ensuring Sustainable Development of Turkic Countries

The evolution of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) has attracted particular attention from the international expert community, especially in the context of sustainable development, where Uzbekistan’s accession in 2019 became a catalyst for creating new opportunities for joint progress among Turkic countries.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030: From sand to strategy

Saudi Arabia. Probably most Hungarians associate the country with the documentary made by Frei Tamás — at least I do. Footage of sand, money, and women wearing the burqa.

Chinese clean tech creates new global energy system

Enhancing bilateral relations: The Kazakhstan-Türkiye strategic partnership

The relations between Kazakhstan and Türkiye are characterized by solid historical and cultural foundations that serve to strengthen mutual ties.

China’s green tech push positions it as global growth driver

China’s sweeping advances in renewable energy and digital infrastructure are reshaping both its domestic economy and the global green transition.

Uzbekistan – USA: A New Era of Environmentally Friendly and Energy-Efficient Investment Projects 

Clean and innovative projects are becoming the hallmark of Uzbek-American relations, shaping a new model of cooperation in the 21st century. 

Japan's generation solo: How a nation built an economy around loneliness

Masashi eats alone again, plastic barriers shielding him from other diners at this Tokyo counter built for solitude. The 32-year-old teacher slurps quietly, too drained after another 60-hour week to imagine dating.

Huawei, CATL see Hungary as emerging green energy hub

Hungary’s strategic role in Europe’s green transition took centre stage at the AFCA Financial Summit Forum 2025 in Budapest.