What will 2025 bring for German and Hungarian economic relations? This was the key topic of the DUIHK’s annual kick-off event on Thursday. The chamber had invited Minister of Economy Márton Nagy and the director of the German Economic Institute, Michael Hüther, who presented the current economic situation in Hungary, Germany, and the world, and shared their expectations for 2025 from their respective perspectives. DUIHK President András Sávos set the scene for this in his opening remarks. According to him, economic development in 2024 was not a success story for either country. The DUIHK was, therefore, all the prouder to have reached a membership figure of more than 920 companies again for last year. Looking to the future, Sávos said Germany would remain Hungary’s most important economic partner for the foreseeable future and Hungary could rely on a complex and resilient entrepreneurial base that had grown over many years. To maximize the advantages of this network of relationships, he said, the main requirements were a qualified workforce, a predictable legal environment and a performance culture based on knowledge and competition. The chamber is ready to play an active role in this, Sávos and DUIHK managing director Barbara Zollmann added. In his speech, Minister Nagy focussed on Hungary’s exceptionally close ties with the German economy. Hungary had benefited massively from this over the past decades. However, in view of the weak economy in Germany, it currently represents an enormous burden for growth in Hungary. Nagy therefore called for a decisive strengthening of the electric vehicle industry, as it is of essential importance for both countries. In addition, Germany should also stimulate the economy more strongly with fiscal means, and relax its “debt brake” to do so. In this context, Hüther pointed out that the declining competitiveness of Germany and Europe was primarily due to the structural problems of recent years, which would not be solved with short-term fiscal stimuli. He pleaded for more European cooperation on the most important common issues (climate, energy, investment, and defence). It became clear from the presentations and discussions that the economic challenges in Hungary, Germany and Europe are very similar and require joint European as well as Hungarian and German efforts.
The TCLF Fair Budapest, the showcase of the textile, cloth, leather and fur industry, is sponsored by HNCC, among others. The chamber wishes to attract as many interested Norwegian companies to the fair as possible. To that end, ads have been published in the professional media Tekstil and Sko in Norway. HNCC Chairman Adam Laska recently visited the organizer (La-Impex, Szentendre) to get more information on the state, prospects and details of the event. He also discussed this issue with the first counsellor and deputy head of mission at the Norwegian embassy, Herman Baskår. Both Sándor Zwack (chairman of the board of Zwack Unicum) and Tamás Fehér (partner at Jalsovszky Lawyer’s Office) assured Laska about their support in organizing programs for the Norwegian exhibitors during their stay in Budapest.
• When: April 2-4. • Where: Puskás Aréna, Istvánmezei út 3-5. Budapest, 1146.
Swisscham will organize its traditional year-opening networking event for 2025 in the framework of the 30th-anniversary celebrations. The event will begin with brief introductions from 10 members, including new and long-standing firms. The program will continue with informal discussions, offering an excellent opportunity to build valuable connections and form new acquaintances. Member Emil Frey Hungary provides the venue, its Toyota Showroom, where guests can view the displayed cars and enjoy snacks and refreshing drinks, ensuring a truly special experience.
• When: Feb. 13, 5-7 p.m. • Where: Emil Frey Magyarország Kft., Toyota Showroom, Mogyoródi út 34-40, Budapest 1149. • Fee: Members free; non-members HUF 20,000.
The BCCH invites guests to its first event of 2025, the latest edition of the CEO Dinner, to be held in February, where the speaker will be Péter Szabó, managing director of Centrica Business Solutions. The event combines a three-course dinner with wine and welcome drinks while hearing the views of a foremost professional on recent developments and current industry affairs. BCCH chairman Duncan Graham will give the opening remarks. Centrica Business Solutions plans, develops, and finances energy-efficient, sustainable and renewable solutions for customers worldwide. The firm aims to ensure cost savings and help the net zero transition, energizing a greener, fairer future. Péter Szabó has a lifelong interest in energy, what makes things work, and what makes them more efficient. He joined Centrica’s legacy Hungarian business as corporate development manager 18 years ago and has managed the Hungarian team in various roles. He recently became a Centrica director in the United Kingdom and, as a result, possesses first-hand knowledge of the U.K. energy market landscape and challenges, which gives him an outstanding opportunity to bring new ideas to the Hungarian market.
• When: Thursday, Feb.13, 6-8 p.m. • Where: Matild Palace Hotel, Váci u. 36, Budapest 1056 • Fee: Members HUF 28,000 (plus VAT); non-members HUF 38,000(plus VAT)
The CCCH invites business leaders, innovators, legal professionals, and AI enthusiasts to its AI Business Breakfast. Tímea Bana, a partner at law firm Kinstellar Hungary, with in-dept experience in IP/IT, data protection and AI related legal issues, will lead a discussion on the legal framework governing AI technologies, addressing critical questions about ownership of AI-generated content and best practices for safeguarding intellectual property. A panel of industry representatives will explore the challenges and opportunities presented by AI integration across various sectors, from software development to financial analysis. Participants will learn to balance data collection with privacy concerns under GDPR regulations. The event will also feature an interactive Q&A session, allowing attendees to engage directly with experts and share their experiences.
• When: Thursday, Feb. 20, 8:30 a.m. • Where: BuildExt, ZenGarden Offices, Horváth u. 14-24, Budapest 1027. • Fee: Members HUF 14, 900 + VAT; non-members: HUF 24,900 + VAT.
Belgabiz will hold a networking event titled “NextGen Leadership.” The special guest of the evening will be Rachel Altmann, one of the founders of BeHive Consulting, a pioneer behavioral science consultancy company and a pioneer honoree of Forbes’ “30 Under 30” 2023 list.
• When: Thursday, Feb. 13, 6-9 p.m. • Where: Impact Hub, Wesselényi utca 17, Budapest 1077 • Fee: members free; non-members, HUF 18,000.
This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of February 7, 2025.
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