Analysis

Editorial: Ukraine War Justifies Defense Spending

One of the themes that came out of the CEO Breakfast meeting we put on with the German-Hungarian Chamber of...

Analysis

Hungary PMI Rises to 52.2 in February

Hungary's seasonally-adjusted Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) rose to 52.2 points in February from 50.1 in January, over the 50-point threshold...

Analysis

Croatia GDP Grows 4.3% y.o.y. in Q4 2023

Croatia's gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 4.3% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2023, following a 2.8% advance in...

Analysis

Czech Economic Confidence Weakens in February

The Czech economic confidence index declined for the second straight month in February to the lowest level in eight months,...

Analysis

Surety Stock at State-owned Guarantors Set to Climb

National Economy Minister Márton Nagy announced this year's targets for surety stock at state-owed guarantors Garantiqa and Start Garancia at...

Analysis

Slovenia Consumer Confidence Slightly Falls in February

Slovenia's consumer confidence indicator decreased by 1 percentage point (pp) on a monthly comparison basis in February, after growing by...

Analysis

Hungary to Expand Gripen Fleet With 4 Aircraft

Hungary will add four aircraft to its fleet of Gripen fighter jets, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said after a meeting...

Analysis

Chamber of Commerce Corner, February 9, 2024

This regular section of the Budapest Business Journal features news and events from various international business chambers. For further information...

Analysis

The Strategic Role of OPTEN ESG Solutions in Domestic SME Sector

The Hungarian ESG regulations that entered into force on Jan. 1, 2024, will bring significant changes to the Hungarian corporate...

Analysis

Wolf Theiss Advises Uniper on Sale of Gas Power Plant to Veolia

Uniper has signed a share purchase agreement to sell Hungary's most modern gas-fired combined cycle 430 MW power plant located...

Analysis

4iG to Spin off Space Industry, Tech Business

4iG will set up a separate company, 4iG Space and Technology, to which it will transfer the shares of its...

Analysis

Business Chamber Confidence Index Falls in January

The quarterly business confidence index of the Economic Research Institute (GVI) of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MKIK)...

Analysis

IWG Announces Expansion in Hungary With 3 New Openings

Hybrid working solutions provider IWG, which offers brands including Spaces, Regus, HQ, and Signature, is expanding its portfolio in Hungary...

Analysis

New Immigration Law Could Pose Challenges for Business Leaders

Many domestic companies are facing the problem that their foreign colleagues in leading or senior positions are treated in the...

Analysis

CEU Democracy Institute Establishes Rule of Law Clinic

Central European University (CEU) has established a Rule of Law Clinic at its Democracy Institute in Budapest, to address urgent...

Analysis

One in Six Hungarian Adults Has Lost Money to Cyberfraud, CIB Survey Finds

Nearly half of Hungarian adults have encountered a cyberfraud attempt, and 16% have lost money, according to a representative survey...

Analysis

Economic and Geopolitical Uncertainty Should Change how we Grow, not Whether we Grow

Economic volatility, geopolitical disruption, and technological change are making long-term decisions harder for business leaders. Yet uncertainty does not remove...

Analysis

Hungary’s GDP Grows 1.5% in Q3 as Industry Offsets Drought Hit

Hungary’s GDP grew 1.5% year-on-year in the Q3 2026, supported by industry and services, while drought-hit agriculture held back the...

Analysis

Hungary Sets 2030 Euro Readiness Goal in Growth and Deficit Plan

Hungary aims to meet the conditions for euro adoption by 2030 while lifting growth above 3% and reducing budget deficit...

Analysis

Hungarian Business Confidence Improves as Consumer Sentiment Weakens

Business confidence edged higher in Hungary in October, while consumer sentiment deteriorated, according to economic research institute GKI....

Analysis

Kopint-Tárki Forecasts Hungary’s GDP Growth at 2.5% in 2027

Economic research institute Kopint-Tárki expects Hungary’s GDP to grow by approximately 2.5% in 2027, according to a new forecast released...

Analysis

MNB Keeps Base Rate Unchanged, Lower Inflation Target Signals Tighter Stance

The Monetary Council of the National Bank of Hungary (MNB) left Hungary’s benchmark rate at 5.5% at its most recent...

Analysis

Hungarian Business Groups Urge Changes to Draft Wealth Tax

Fourteen Hungarian business organizations have issued a joint statement calling for changes to the proposed wealth tax, including relief for...

Analysis

AI Boom, USD 100 Oil and 5% Bond Yields Reshape Investment Outlook

An AI-driven technology rally, oil prices above USD 100 and U.S. Treasury yields around 5% are reshaping investment opportunities, according...

Analysis

VOSZ Business Confidence Index Declines in Q3 2026

Hungarian business association VOSZ’s business confidence index fell two percentage points to 50% in the third quarter of 2026, according...

Analysis

Editorial: In Praise of the Diplomatic Dance

The improved mood evident across Hungary following the Tisza government’s assumption of power appears to have extended well beyond the...

Analysis

EY Urges Early Preparation for Hungary’s Proposed Wealth Tax

Hungary’s proposed wealth tax could create new obligations for wealthy individuals, trusts and private foundations, with the first assessment generally...

Analysis

IMF Sees Window for Hungary’s Economic Revival, Urges Swift Reforms

Hungary has a “uniquely favorable window of opportunity” to revitalize its economy, but must act quickly to turn market confidence...

Analysis

Equilor: 2033 Earliest Date for Hungary to Adopt the Euro

Hungary could adopt the euro no earlier than 2033, according to a new assessment by Equilor Investment, which acknowledges improving...