BBJ: It has been seven months since you were elected president of the chamber. Why did you decide to stand?

Ákos Janza: With more than 15 years in global leadership roles, I’ve seen how the business environment can make or break a company’s ability to succeed. Stability and predictability empower businesses to plan, grow, and innovate. In contrast, in an unpredictable environment, you spend more time firefighting than building. That’s why AmCham’s mission to foster a competitive, stable, and innovation-friendly business environment is so critical.

I was first impressed with the chamber’s impact as a member, and later as first vice president, where I had the opportunity to contribute more directly to its work. These experiences gave me a clear view of how I could help shape its future. I ran for president to bring my international experience, strategic mindset, and collaborative approach to advancing AmCham’s agenda, particularly in advocacy, community building, and knowledge sharing.

BBJ: What has surprised you most since becoming president?

ÁJ: I’ve been part of the AmCham community for many years, so I came into the role with a good understanding of the chamber’s mission and day-to-day work. However, even with that background, I’ve been struck by the pace, scale, and intensity of engagement we have with key stakeholders. In the first half of the year alone, we organized major Business Forums with ministers from the economy, energy, interior, and culture and innovation portfolios, and held high-level consultations.

And that’s just the headline layer. There’s a constant rhythm of policy events, committee meetings, and community-building gatherings. The volume is impressive, but what really stands out is the trust placed in AmCham as a voice at the table, and the opportunity that gives us to shape meaningful changes.

BBJ: What do you want to achieve in your time in office? What are the priorities?

ÁJ: AmCham has earned its place as a leading voice in business advocacy, and one of my top priorities is to build on that legacy, amplifying our influence and making sure our voice continues to shape the national agenda. As a strong advocate for digital transformation, I’m particularly focused on expanding our role in areas like AI and automation. These technologies aren’t just buzzwords; they’re reshaping how we work, live, and compete. Hungary is still in the early stages of its AI journey, but the number of companies using AI has already doubled in the past year. That momentum creates both urgency and opportunity.

To support our members, we’ve launched a Digitalization Working Group and hosted our first Digital Impact Day, giving members direct access to thought leaders and policymakers. We’re also expanding into new sectors like tourism, travel and entertainment, bringing key players from hospitality into the conversation to strengthen our sectoral engagement.

Finally, growing and diversifying our membership is a core priority. A broader base doesn’t just make us more inclusive; it makes us stronger, more representative, and more effective in our advocacy.

BBJ: You are president of the American chamber and have more than a decade of experience working with U.S. companies. What values do you believe Hungary could benefit from adopting?

ÁJ: What I’ve consistently seen in my work with U.S. companies is a relentless focus on results, paired with a culture of efficiency, accountability, and innovation. These organizations are driven by KPIs, guided by clear processes, and quick to adopt breakthrough solutions when they see value. Hungary has enormous talent and potential. By integrating more of these values, particularly the emphasis on execution, agility, and global best practices, Hungarian businesses could unlock greater performance and competitiveness. It’s not about copying a model but selectively adopting what works to elevate our operational standards and strengthen Hungary’s position as an attractive, forward-looking business hub. There’s still a lot of work to do, but also a great deal we can learn.

BBJ: What are the most significant challenges facing businesses operating in Hungary today? How do you overcome these?

ÁJ: One of the most pressing challenges is navigating an environment marked by global volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. This is felt acutely in Hungary, where external shocks collide with domestic unpredictability. Internally, there’s work to be done to establish a more stable and simplified regulatory and tax environment. In such a landscape, predictability is not a luxury; it’s a strategic necessity for long-term investment and confident day-to-day operation.

A second, equally urgent challenge is talent. As technology reshapes entire industries, the development of a future-ready workforce becomes critical. Hungary needs a modern, skills-focused education system and targeted upskilling programs to prepare people not only for today’s labor market, but for what comes next.

Healthcare is another key area. Hungary ranks among the highest in the OECD for avoidable mortality, which has a direct impact on workforce productivity and national competitiveness. Addressing this requires better coordination between public and private healthcare actors and a serious upgrade to our digital health infrastructure.

Digitalization remains a major driver of long-term growth. While government initiatives to improve digital skills and support data-driven planning are steps in the right direction, there’s still a significant gap in implementation. We also see enormous potential in the responsible adoption of AI to improve productivity and resilience across sectors.

On the international front, we welcome the deepening partnership between Hungary and the United States. However, the expiration of the U.S.-Hungary double taxation treaty in January 2024 remains a significant concern. Its absence creates additional financial and administrative burdens for companies, especially for our members with transatlantic operations. AmCham has consistently raised this issue with both Hungarian and U.S. stakeholders, advocating for a new agreement that restores predictability and facilitates investment.

More recently, rising tariffs on EU goods have added further pressure, affecting bilateral trade and broader transatlantic ties. These developments underline the need for sustained dialogue, trust-building, and close economic cooperation.

At AmCham, we take a proactive role in responding to these challenges. We regularly publish strategic policy materials to guide our advocacy. Currently, we’re preparing our Policy Agenda 2026–2030, a forward-looking document that will identify the key levers for Hungary’s competitiveness and shape our engagement with policymakers over the next five years.

BBJ: What’s your favorite AmCham event and why?

ÁJ: It’s hard to choose just one: AmCham offers a rich mix of strategic and community-building events throughout the year. If I had to highlight a few, the Digital Impact Day stands out. It brought together key voices on AI and digitalization, two areas I’m deeply passionate about, and gave our members real insight into where the future is headed.

We’re now preparing for our flagship event, the XI Business Meets Government Summit, in partnership with the Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency. It’s a unique platform for high-level, solution-oriented dialogue on Hungary’s long-term competitiveness, and I’m excited to see how this year’s discussions will shape the policy agenda ahead.

On the community side, I’m especially looking forward to our Thanksgiving Charity Dinner. It’s more than just a social event; it’s a moment to celebrate one of the most meaningful American traditions, give back, and strengthen the bonds within our diverse membership.

And of course, our committee meetings remain the heartbeat of AmCham, where members shape positions, share knowledge, and turn ideas into action throughout the year.

This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of June 27, 2025.