Chamber of Commerce Corner, February 23, 2024

Swiss-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce (Swisscham)

Swisscham Hungary members enjoyed a lively networking event on Feb. 12 at the Tokaj Art Wine Gallery. The event was themed around introducing new and old members, viewing the gallery’s current exhibition and tasting wines from the Tokaj region. It was a perfect opportunity for members and partners to network and get to know each other.

The French Chamber of Commerce in Hungary (CCIFH)

Join the CCIFH for the next Business Women’s Lunch, with the title “Leadership is a Choice, You Decide!” The speaker will be Tímea Pesti, CEO of Ald Automotive / LeasePlan Hungária Zrt.

• When: Tuesday, March 19, noon-2p.m.

• Where: Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest, Erzsébet tér 7-8, 1051 Budapest.

The CCIFH’s next “Hot Topic” event will be the “Outlook for the Hungarian Economy in 2024: Competitiveness, Risks, Breaking Points.” The conference and round table discussion are not open to the press. Other topics covered will include indicators, the HUF/EUR exchange rate, loan interest rates, inflation, wages, sectors, and enterprises exposed to exports. The guests will include Gergely Suppan, Deputy State Secretary for Macroeconomic Analysis at the Ministry of National Economy; Tamás Isépy, macroeconomics business manager at Századvég Konjunkturakutató Zrt.; and Ákos Szalai, of the competitiveness and structural analyzes department of the Magyar Nemzeti Bank.

• When: Thursday, March 21, 9-11:30 a.m.

• Where: Mamaison Hotel Andrássy Budapest, Andrássy út 111, 1063 Budapest.

The next CCIFH Communication Club will consider the role of arts patronage in corporate communication and innovative ideas in communication for a five-star hotel. What art patronizing activities can a hotel engage in? How can this be a USP that distinguishes it from the competition? Which stakeholders can you reach with this activity? How can you harmonize the activity with the company’s other business goals? Ildikó Dudás, PR director at the Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest, will be the speaker.

• When: Tuesday, March 5, 9-11 a.m.

• Where: Hotel Nemzeti Budapest Mgallery, József körút 4, 1088 Budapest.

British Chamber of Commerce in Hungary (BCCH)

The BCCH is pleased to announce the return of one of its best-attended community events, the live Six Nations rugby doubleheader, in a new but very apt venue: the Hungarian University of Sports Science, courtesy of event hosts TFSE Volleyball. The doubleheader on March 9 starts with the Italy vs. Scotland game and concludes with what is expected to be a fiercely contested fixture between England and Ireland. Great food will be served between the games provided by Noiret Catering, with refreshments including Guinness on tap and Soproni by the can. For those not keen on beer, Nyakas Winery will have a wine bar, afternoon tea will be supplied by the English Tea Shop, and the refreshment corner is courtesy of Viwa Vitaminwater. The BCCH says this headline sporting social event promises a relaxed atmosphere where networking takes a more personal, laid-back approach. The fourth round of 2024 Six Nations Championship matches will see England attempt to avenge the loss in the corresponding feature last year as they enjoy home advantage at Twickenham, London, against an Ireland team that (at the time of writing) is top of the table and will hope to keep its dream alive of a repeat of last year’s grand slam. The other game will see Scotland attempt to improve on a promising performance last year against an Italian side, which is always stronger in its home venue, the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

• When: Saturday, March 9, 2:30-8:30 p.m.

• Where: Dr. Koltai Jenő Sportcomplex, Csörsz u. 2-10, Room 112, 1123 Budapest.

• Fee: Members HUF 10,000 (+ VAT), non-members HUF 15,000 (+ VAT).

Belgium Business Club in Hungary (Belgabiz)

Belgabiz, the Swiss-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce (Swisscham) and consultancy VGD Hungary joined forces for a successful networking event on Feb. 15 at Courtyard by Marriott Budapest City Center. On behalf of VGD Hungary, Viktor Szabó, tax and payroll partner, gave a brief overview of the changes in the Hungarian tax environment, drawing attention to the most critical aspects. The lively networking offered a perfect occasion for members of Belgabiz and Swisscham to mingle in a relaxed but professional atmosphere.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hungary (CCCH)

It was an exciting morning at the CCCH Business Breakfast. The chamber gathered at Concorde Értékpapír Zrt. to delve into the global economic landscape and Hungary’s outlook for 2024. Tamás Móró from Concorde Securities Zrt. kicked things off with an insightful keynote, followed by Péter Herczog from MBH Fund Management Company joining for a dynamic panel discussion, expertly moderated by former Minister of Finance Csaba László (2002-04), now an honorary professor at Corvinus University of Budapest. From the U.S. elections to China’s role in global trade, we covered it all, including the fresh morning stats released by the Central Statistical Office.

This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of February 23, 2024.