VOL. 34. NUMBER 1 | JANUARY 16 – JANUARY 29, 2026
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SPECIAL REPORT INSIDE THIS ISSUE
The Year Ahead
The Wish List: Socializing, Batteries, the Language of Love, and AI For the ninth successive year, we sought out an eclectic mix of contributors, some of whom might otherwise be unlikely to appear in a business-focused publication like ours, but are intentionally chosen to declare their wishes for 2026 to stretch minds a little ‘outside the box.’ 12
Hungary’s Economic Expectations for 2026 From the Big 4 Driven by impending legislative changes, new opportunities in emerging sectors, and recurring investment trends, economic experts discuss what the upcoming year holds for the country. 16
SOCIALITE
2 Women Directors Triumph at Hungarian Documentary Festival Directors Sára Haragonics and Lea Podhradská recently won awards at the 22nd Verzió, Hungary’s only human rights documentary film festival. From Nov. 11-19, 60 of the most relevant and powerful documentaries were screened to audiences. 17
Driving Uni Research to Market
BUSINESS
Zsolt Szalay, head of the department of automotive technologies at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, is applying a “business mindset” to the NEWS research his Automated Drive Lab is pioneering. The latest results have piqued Hungarian Industry Chinese interest. 8
Hits 5-year low, Inflation Eases
Hungary’s industrial production fell sharply in November, recording the steepest monthly decline of the year and dropping to its lowest level in nearly five years, according to the Central Statistical Office (KSH). On a positive note, inflation continued to ease. 3
BUSINESS
Hungary’s Energy Supplies: ‘Fairy Tales,’ Contradictions and Realities Hungary is dependent on “cheap” Russian energy, the government and MOL argue, but energy consultant and former MOL manager Attila Holoda profoundly disagrees. 7