German-Hungarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce

Márton Nagy: Preserving Europe’s Competitiveness

At the German-Hungarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DUIHK) Business Breakfast on February 14, Minister of Economic Development Márton Nagy gave a detailed overview of the government’s view on prospects for the Hungarian and European economy and explained what steps he believes are necessary at national and EU level to secure Europe’s competitiveness.

The government’s perspective is impacted by global macroeconomic developments, first and foremost, the expected impact of the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act. Hungary believes Europe is currently unable to counter this with an adequate response to prevent the relocation of industrial enterprises from Europe to the United States.

Regarding the situation in Hungary, DUIHK chairman András Sávos emphasized that companies here, not only German ones, face multiple challenges. Inflation, the shortage of skilled workers, and structural and technological upheavals in many sectors are giving companies a hard time. In addition, there are concerns about individual government measures such as price freezes, special taxes, or the practice of granting subsidies.

A large part of the event was devoted to the topic of energy. Nagy emphasized that expanding renewable energies requires enormous investments, especially into EU transmission grids. Among other things, the lack of grids and balancing production capacities slows down the expansion of solar energy in Hungary.

EVENTS

Jour Fixe: Celebrating our 30-year members!

At the next DUIHK “Jour Fixe 30” event, the spotlight will be on the founding members of the chamber and the companies that have been members since 1993. The venue, the Hotel Kempinski Corvinus Budapest, was the location of the founding meeting in 1993. In English and Hungarian.

When: March 2, 6:30 p.m. • Venue: Kempinski Hotel Corvinus, Erzsébet tér 7-8, 1051 Budapest • Cost: Members HUF 19,800 + VAT/person; non-members, and guests HUF 32,900 + VAT/person

CEO Breakfast Briefing: Logistics

Developments, innovation, and investment in Hungary’s logistics sector will be the focus of this “Breakfast, Insight and Networking” event of DUIHK and Budapest Business Journal. Discussing the latest issues in road and air logistics networks will be: • Rene Droese, Chief Development Officer, Budapest Airport • Ádám Mészáros, Country Managing Director at DHL Express Hungary • Thoralf Wagner, CEO, Lufthansa Technik Budapest Kft.

BBJ editor-in-chief Robin Marshall will moderate the English-language discussion.

When: March 7, 8 a.m. • Venue: Anantara New York Palace Hotel, Erzsébet krt. 9-11, 1073 Budapest • Cost: HUF 14,900 + VAT/person

Female Business Leaders Conference on International Women’s Day

On International Women’s Day, female business leaders will discuss how women think about sustainable business and supply chains and whether the crisis will strengthen female leadership. In cooperation with Dialog Ungarn. In English and Hungarian with simultaneous translation.

When: March 8, 2 p.m. • Venue: UniCredit Bank Hungary Zrt., Szabadság tér 5-6, 1054 Budapest

French-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce (CCIFH)

The Future of Energy (Politics): the Energy of the Future

The French-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce (CCIFH) will host its upcoming “Hot Topic” business breakfast with Dr. Barbara Botos, Ambassador-at-large for Climate at the Ministry for Energy, on affordable energy and future energy sources.

When: March 7, 9-11:30 a.m. • Venue: Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest, Erzsébet tér 7-8, 1051 Budapest • Tickets: Members HUF 25,000 + VAT; non-members HUF 37,500 +VAT.

Inter-company CCI France International Sports Challenge.

Get moving with the global French Chamber Network. Commit to CSR, support your employees’ well-being and mental health, and win cohesion. Measure and limit your company’s environmental impact and reduce your carbon footprint. Gather your best runners, walkers, and cyclists, and let them have fun and earn points daily doing sports, engaging in missions, quizzes, and photo contests. Register your company with a team of five people before March 15; 25% of the participation fee will support The SeaCleaners, an association to clean the oceans.

When: From March 27 to April 23. • Cost: Members EUR 200 + VAT per team; non-members EUR 250 + VAT per team.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hungary (CCCH)

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hungary (CCCH) will cover the hot topic of where and how we work in the next session of its “Business Breakfast” series entitled “Workplace Academy.” In the last few years, many office workers were forced to work from home, leading to a paradigm shift in how we work. While remote work has been a game-changer for many people, it has its challenges. The home office routine differs from going to a central workplace, and people surely felt apprehensive about the change. Returning to the office may also come with challenges.

Yet, while remote work can be productive for some, others find they are more effective in an office setting, surrounded by their colleagues. The structured environment and lack of distractions can improve focus and productivity. This transition after remote working can require a significant adjustment, but it also provides opportunities for increased productivity. Experts will talk about workspace utilization, adaptation, the importance of social spaces and useful ways to “reactivate” the office.

Keynote speakers: • Michael P. Smithing: Real estate advisor, co-founder of Dynamic Offices • Michael Cojocar: Architect, founder of CMA Architects • Norbert Held: Workplace specialist, T Office Solutions

When: March 8, 8:30-11 a.m. • Venue: CIB Bank office building, Petrezselyem u. 2-8, 1024 Budapest. • Cost: Members HUF 21,900 (incl. VAT); non-members HUF 27,900 (incl. VAT) • [email protected]

Netherlands-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce (Dutcham):

Beyond Motivation: Where (self-)discipline starts?

Based on the success of a joint meet-up on motivation in 2022, the Netherlands-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce (Dutcham) and the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Hungary (SCCH) are holding their next CEO & HR forum, covering how and when to introduce motivation and ensure success. What are the solutions to disciplined execution?

When: March 9, 9-11 a.m. • Venue: Kinnarps Hungary Kft., Váci út 92, 1133 Budapest. • Cost: Free for Dutcham & SCCH members; non-members HUF 9,000

British Chamber of Commerce in Hungary (BCCH)

BCCH CEO Dinner Returns

The British Chamber of Commerce in Hungary (BCCH) will hold the first of its 2023 CEO Dinners, its longest-running marquee series, with Martino Grazzi, managing director of GSK in Hungary. GSK is a firmer long-time partner of the BCCH that recently re-joined. Grazzi will discuss the current trends and challenges affecting the pharmaceutical industry locally and globally. The chamber says the event combines a three-course dinner with wine and welcome drinks with the chance to hear the views of a foremost professional on current developments.

When: February 28, 6–8 p.m. • Venue: Párisi Udvar Hotel, Petőfi Sándor u. 2-4, 1052 Budapest • Cost: Members HUF 25,000 (incl. VAT); non-members: HUF 35,000 (incl. VAT). Only limited spaces are still available.

Swiss-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce (Swisscham Hungary)

Swisscham Networking Café 

The Swiss-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce (Swisscham Hungary) Networking Café was held for the second time this year, once again hosted by chamber member Párisi Udvar. Swisscham says turnout was high with, in addition to old and new members, “many not (yet) chamber members.” Chamber president István Béres and Júlia Lipovecz, its director, opened the event. Afterward, representatives of some members briefly introduced themselves before informal exchanges took place.

Upcoming Visit: Sika Hungary

If you are interested in getting to know new people and innovative companies, the next Swisscham visit will be to member company Sika Hungary, a key player in both the construction industry and construction chemistry, in Biatorbágy.

When: March 3, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. • Venue: Sika Hungária Kft., Rozália Park 5-7, 2051 Biatorbágy • Cost: Members free; non-members HUF 30 000 HUF / Person (0% VAT)

This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of February 24, 2023.