Inequality in the EU, digital currencies, and semiconductors as the main technology of today

The ninth issue of the Contemporary World Economy Journal is opened by Leonid Grigoryev and Amina Vasilyeva (HSE University), who examine the unevenness of economic growth in the European Union in 2000–2023, broken down into three country groups: North, South, and East. 

Elena Danilova (MSU), Mikhail Dugaev (Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation), Vadim Kalukhov (ex Central Bank of Russia), and Alexei Maslov (KARTA GROUP Ltd) assess possible options for developing the Chinese mBridge project and discuss the prospects for Russia to create a similar digital currency project for cross-border settlements.

Natalya Gorbacheva (IEIE SB RAS; RANEPA) compare current approaches to using nature-based potential for achieving carbon neutrality in Russia and Southeast Asia. 

Zhang-Jing ZHAO, Fan ZHOU, and Shan ZHANG (China National Academy of Educational Sciences) consider cooperation between BRICS countries in the field of digital education.

Anton Kuzavko (Smolensk State University) evaluates the results of the integration process between the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation for the economies of the border regions: Vitebsk, Mogilev, Gomel, Pskov, Smolensk and Bryansk regions.

Nikolay Ermoshkin (HSE University; Moscow University for the Humanities) examines the development of the semiconductor industry and analyzes the attempts of key players to gain a foothold in the most promising market in the world.

The issue closes with a review by Eduard Ponarin (HSE University) of Vladimir Popov’s book “The Chinese Model. Why China Used to Lag behind the West, but Is Now Overtaking It.”