Chamber of Commerce Corner, October 6, 2023

Hungarian-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce (HNCC)

The Hungarian-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce organized a trip to Hungary for Norwegian businesspeople to promote bilateral business relations. Highlights of the trip included a visit to Veszprém, a European Capital of Culture this year. As the municipality of Bodø has been awarded the title next year, there is close cooperation between Veszprém and Bodø. The Norwegian delegation, guided by the Norwegian Embassy trade attaché Bálint Bűcs, was welcomed by Minister for Regional Development Tibor Navracsics (a native son of Veszprém), Deputy State Secretary for External Economic Relations Katalin Bihari, and Mayor of Veszprém Gyula Porga. They also met Gábor Jenei, the CEO of the Hungarian Export Promotion Agency Zrt., and representatives of the Hungarian Tourism Agency and the chambers of commerce and industry in Budapest and Veszprém. They held successful business-to-business meetings with 10 companies. Lastly, at the Wine and Gourmet Gastronomy Festival in Veszprém, the participants could taste excellent Hungarian wines and culinary specialties.

Joint Venture Association (JVSz)

JVSz aims to provide business leaders with up-to-date economic forecasts, renowned experts and valuable knowledge sharing. To reinforce this, it organized a half-day exclusive Macro Conference on Oct. 3 with 150 participants, under the patronage of Minister of Finance Mihály Varga (co-chairman of the JVSz), at the ELTE University Congress Center. Join JVSz and follow its future programs at www.jvsz.hu to gain relevant information and build your network.

German-Hungarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DUIHK)

The first Jour Fixe event of the DUIHK after the summer break took place on Friday, Sep. 28, in Hungary’s newest luxury hotel, the W Budapest, in the former Drechsler Palace opposite the State Opera House on Andrássy út. Traditionally, new members (this time, there were 13) introduce themselves to those present. The main aim of the Jour Fixe was networking between members, new and old, which was particularly successful in the exclusive ambiance of the house. The “grand opening” of the hotel is only a few weeks away, which was all the more reason for the chamber members’ interest in the guided tours of the building. Visit the chamber website for a photo gallery.

French-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIFH)

Meet French chamber members for a business lunch and discover the economic trends and HR challenges of French chamber member companies and Francophone enterprises in Hungary at the CCIFH’s Francophone Business Radar. The event will include a presentation of the results of a market survey conducted by the CCIFH in September 2023. • Where: Wednesday, Oct. 16, noon-2 p.m. • When: Randstad Budapest, Dózsa György út 146-148, 1134 Budapest • Cost: members HUF 14,900 (+ VAT); non-members HUF 22,400 (+ VAT).

Join the French chamber’s HR Club for an engaging conversation on DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) and ESG within organizations and making DEI work in practice. The event will include takeaway guidance on practical implementation and on measuring impact. The speaker will be Helga Sásdi, chairperson of We Are Open. Experts from Capgemini, Decathlon, Publicis Groupe Hungary, and Groupama will share best practices in a roundtable discussion. • When: Wednesday, Oct. 18, noon-2:30 p.m. • Where: Boook Kitchen, Mester utca 87, 1095 Budapest. • Cost: members HUF 14,900 (+ VAT); non-members HUF 22,400 (+ VAT).

Italian Chamber of Commerce in Hungary (CCIU)

The first Italian Agri-food Technologies event was held in Budapest on Monday, Sep. 25, resulting from an intense and constructive collaboration between the Hungarian government authorities in the agri-food sector and the “Italian system” in Hungary. The CCIU would like to thank Ambassador Emanuel Jacoangeli and, from the Hungarian authorities who supported this initiative, Undersecretary of State for the Foreign Economy Katalin Bihari from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and from the Ministry of Agriculture, Secretary of State for the Food Industry and Trade Márton Nobilis, and Undersecretary of State for Implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy Zsolt György Papp. We would also like to thank the Chamber of Pest, ICE, CIB Bank, the delegation of the Sardinian Region, the Foundation of the Rural District of Arborea, Confindustria Hungary, Comites Hungary, Confimprese Hungary, and all our supporting partners.

Belgian Business Club in Hungary (Belgabiz)

Belgabiz will hold an exclusive members-only reception to “Meet & Greet” Ambassador Jeroen Vergeylen, who arrived in Hungary this August, at the Residence of Belgium on Oct. 5. This unique event provides an excellent opportunity for members of the business club to welcome the newly appointed ambassador. Belgabiz says the occasion promises fresh insights and networking prospects to forge valuable connections.

Swiss-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce (Swisscham)

Swisscham held a reception on the terrace of the Hotel Intercontinental, with a direct view of the Buda Castle and the Chain Bridge, on Thursday, Sep. 21. The evening started with a short welcome speech by István Béres, President of Swisscham Hungary, and continued with a great atmosphere of networking and meeting in the pleasant late summer and early fall weather.

Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hungary (CCCH)

The CCCH will cover “The Cheapest Energy We Don’t Use” in its upcoming Business Breakfast. The talk will address critical business pain points and provide clarity by addressing an overview of basic facts. With rapidly rising and volatile energy costs and increasing environmental concerns, companies must explore innovative solutions that empower them to effectively control, predict and automatically regulate energy expenses. Our professional keynote speakers, Zsolt Hoffmann (CEO/BMD, Smart Digital) and Gábor Bényász (CEO/CTO, EKT Solutions Kft.), will present how cutting-edge “Intelligent Energy Services” solutions can revolutionize how businesses manage and optimize energy consumption, and help guests understand the energy-landscape in today’s turbulent times. • When: Tuesday, Oct. 10, 9-11 a.m. • Where: BuildExt Zen Garden Offices, Horvát u. 12-24 • Cost: members HUF 11,900; non-members HUF 20,900

Netherlands-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce (Dutcham)

Our next joint networking event will promote informal networking among the members and partners of three chambers: Dutcham, Swisscham and the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Hungary. Join us for a drink and an accompanying meal while making valuable business and friendship connections in the pleasant atmosphere of Paulaner Sörház. • Where: Paulaner Sörház, Alkotás u. 53, Budapest 1123 • When: Wednesday, Oct. 25, 5:30-7:30 p.m. • Cost: members HUF 6,000 (+ VAT); non-members HUF 10,000 (+ VAT). Prices include a drink and an accompanying meal that can be selected from a special menu menu.

This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of October 6, 2023.