The tremendous importance of small and medium-sized enterprises within the German economy is repeatedly stressed in policy discussions. That makes the disproportionately low level of involvement by SMEs in the Asian growth region stand out all the more prominently. What are the factors...

Present economic relations between Japan and Europe are marred by misunderstanding and ignorance of one another's positions, Mr. Ichikawa stresses here. Neither side has anything to gain from the continuance of this situation: a new phase - one of understanding and cooperation - must be begun.

This Forum aims to systematically describe and analyse the evolution of national financial systems within the EU over the past three decades. It analyses the processes of financialisation that have dominated this period as well as the causes and consequences of the financial crisis from the...