Iliyan Genov Mateev

Iliyan Genov Mateev is an Associate Professor with a PhD at the Department of Economic Theory and International Economic Relations within the Faculty of Economics at St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo in Bulgaria. His extensive academic career spans over two decades with consistent scholarly output in international economics, particularly focusing on East Asian economies and international economic relations.

Professor Mateev's research interests span several key areas in economics and international relations:

• International Economics, with particular expertise in EU-Asia relations
• East Asian Economies, specializing in China, Japan, and ASEAN countries
• Economic Integration processes at regional and global levels
• Rural Development and assessment methodologies, particularly in the Bulgarian context
• Digital Transformation in rural economies
• Environmental sustainability in regional development

His recent scholarly work demonstrates a strategic evolution from traditional international economics toward contemporary challenges in rural development, digital transformation, and ecological sustainability. While maintaining his expertise in East Asian economies, Professor Mateev has increasingly focused on applying economic theory to practical rural development challenges in Bulgaria, particularly through innovative assessment methodologies like the E-SMART framework. His work bridges theoretical economic concepts with practical policy applications, demonstrating relevance to both academic discourse and real-world economic development.

Professor Mateev has been actively involved in significant research projects including 'Digital and ecological solutions to support the development of rural areas in Bulgaria' (2024) and 'Application and transfer of innovative scientific tools for the assessment of rural areas' (2023), which reflect his commitment to addressing contemporary socioeconomic challenges through interdisciplinary research approaches. His work often involves collaboration with researchers across multiple disciplines and institutions, contributing to Bulgaria's integration with European research frameworks.