Belgian Business Club in Hungary (Belgabiz)

BelgaBiz organized an exclusive members-only networking reception on Oct. 5 at the Residence of Belgium to meet and greet Jeroen Vergeylen, the newly appointed Ambassador of Belgium to Hungary. His warm and friendly welcome promised a fruitful collaboration between the embassy and Belgabiz in the coming years, with a particular focus on the trio presidency of the Council of the EU, including Belgium and Hungary.

Jim Bauters, president of Belgabiz, Jeroen Vergeylen, and Ferencz Gyöngyi of VGD Hungary Kft. greeted the guests. Belgian and Hungarian culinary specialties included beers from the Belga Sörmester, wines from Fuchs Ujvári Winery and sweets from The Belgian Hungary.

Italian Chamber of Commerce in Hungary (CCIU)

Celebrate art, tradition, and innovation with the Milan Jewelry Week from Oct. 17-22. The chamber has been invited to bring several Hungarian buyers to participate in the event. Numerous brands, artists, designers, and high jewelry academies from Italy and Hungary will come together to showcase their creations and share know-how. Public engagement is ensured through exhibitions of international artists, presentations of exclusive collections, interactive workshops, and live performances. The week offers a unique opportunity to promote collaboration and strengthen ties between the two countries in this sector.

French-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIFH)

To provide a simple way of raising employee awareness of the challenges of climate change, CCIFH is offering a new short (20-minute) animation that provides first-level information on the complex process of climate change. Employees can learn in small groups and immerse themselves in the Climate Fresco workshop. The workshop animators are from AIR France-KLM, Decathlon and Michelin. • When: Wednesday, Nov. 15. 9 a.m.-noon • Where: Milestone Intézet W17, Wesselényi u. 17, 1077 Budapest • Cost: Members HUF 9,900 (+ VAT); non-members HUF 14,900 HUF (+ VAT)

Swiss-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce (Swisscham)

A Swiss-Hungarian Business Forum took place in Pécs on Oct. 4, part of the Swiss Days series jointly organized with the Embassy of Switzerland in Hungary. The central theme was the “Circular Economy for a Sustainable Future.” Guests were welcomed by Swisscham president István Béres, Mayor of Pécs Attila Péterffy and Jean-Francois Paroz, the Ambassador of Switzerland to Hungary. Following an introductory presentation on sustainability by Irén Márta of the Business Council for Sustainable Development in Hungary, participants were informed about Swiss-Hungarian Cooperation Program projects in sustainability and health. After the break, two sustainability roundtable discussions featured representatives of Roche Hungary, the University of Pécs, Holcim Hungary Ltd., and Kontakt Elektro Ltd. The highlight of the day was a gala dinner, where Roche Hungary presented the cooperation agreement with the University of Pécs, which was signed in the presence of Minister Tibor Navracsics. The evening also featured a performance by Swiss Alpine horn players, a local dance group and the award ceremony of the cake competition organized by the Swiss-rooted confectioner Caflisch in Pécs.

Joint Venture Association (JVSz)

JVSz recently launched its “Country Ride” event series to engage the SME sector nationwide. The next event will take place in Pécs on Monday, Nov. 6. The opening speaker will be Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó. Hungarian energy policy and Paks II (the expansion of the nuclear power plant) are key topics. The event also addresses the critical role of building innovation ecosystems. Business leaders from Baranya, Somogy and Tolna counties will be welcomed. A detailed program and tickets can be found on the JVSz website.

The Netherland-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce (Dutcham)

Save the date for the annual Dutcham Christmas Drinks on Dec. 19, from 6 p.m., to celebrate at a “cool place” with warm food and drinks at the Crowne Plaza Hotel’s Cult Terrace.

Hungarian-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce (HNCC)

HNCC and the Embassy of Hungary will organize an online Scientist Seminar (Tudós Est) on Oct. 30. This series was launched in 2018 with the idea of introducing the work performed in Norway by Hungarian scientists, researchers, physicians, and so on in an easily understandable, popular yet scientific and concise way (each presentation is a maximum of 30 minutes). Zsófia Domsa, an adjunct at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, will present “Jon Fosse’s Dramas on Hungarian Stages,” focusing on the works of this year’s winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in Hungarian theater. Dr. Júlia Palik, a senior researcher at the Peace Research Institute, Oslo will seek to answer “How Does the Disarmament of Insurgent Groups Affect the Chances of Peace?” These lectures provide a unique opportunity to engage with diverse research topics in a language accessible to all, fostering a deeper understanding of these subjects.

A “Medical Service and Technology Day” will be held at the Hungarian Embassy in Oslo at the end of November, jointly organized with the Hungarian-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce. This will be an excellent chance for four Hungarian medical service providers and product manufacturers to show their activities to interested prospective Norwegian partners.

British Chamber of Commerce in Hungary (BCCH)

The BCCH invites guests to join it for one of the best-known and most successful events in the expat calendar, the St. Andrew’s Ball celebrating Scotland’s national day, sponsored by long-standing member Budapest British International School. Experience authentic Scottish entertainment with Craig Weir, one of Scotland’s leading bagpipers, and dance along with the fabulous Liam Smith Ceilidh Band. There will be a three-course meal from the Marriott, along with wine, beer and, of course, whisky, courtesy of Diageo. There will also be a charity tombola for the benefit of Tabitha Haz Children’s Hospice, followed by disco hits to keep the dancing going until the early hours. Törley will be the official sparkling wine supplier for the event. • When: Nov. 25, 6 p.m. • Where: Budapest Marriott Hotel, Apáczai Csere János u. 4, 1052 Budapest. • Cost: HUF 39,000 per person (+ VAT) Dress Code: Black tie or Highland dress

Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hungary (CCCH)

The CCCH will host its traditional 29th Canadian Lobster Dinner on Nov. 11. This year, a portion of the raffle proceeds will go to SOS Children’s Village, a foundation that works in 136 countries to support families and help children at risk grow up in a loving home. Participants will be entertained by live music, exhibitors, a silent auction and raffle prizes. Tickets include unlimited cocktails and alcoholic beverages. • When: Saturday, Nov. 11 • Where: Hotel InterContinental Budapest, Apáczai Csere János u. 12-14, 1052 Budapest • Cost: Members: HUF 69,723; non-members HUF 88,773

German-Hungarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DUIHK)

The DUIHK and the Hajdú-Bihar County Chamber of Commerce and Industry held a successful German InfoPoint event on Oct. 5 in Debrecen on “Sustainable, Innovative Solutions for Industry.” The event, held at the HBKIK HQ, was supported by Siemens Zrt. and the Hoffmann Group. Experts from leading multinational companies presented sustainable industrial practices. The presentations focused on the phenomenon that in recent years, in addition to climate change, the energy crisis has posed increasing challenges to business organizations, bringing the importance of environmentally conscious and sustainable business operations to the fore. The event provided information and inspiration to help Hungarian businesses increase their competitiveness by meeting sustainability requirements.

This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of October 20, 2023.