HTCC

Hungarian cultural and economic centre opened in Nigeria

afica on the globe

Nigeria has joined the network of HTCC (Hungaran Trade and Cultural Center). There are many Hungarian houses on the African continent, now they also have one in Nigeria, according to htcc.org.hu.

HTCC is providing services to entrepreneurs looking for opportunities on a global scale. They also cultivate cultural and educational activities with partner countries to bring Hungarian culture to different parts of the world. They help their partners to become familiar with and be prepared for unique circumstances of unknown markets, especially in Africa and Asia.

Nigeria is the most populated country in Africa and nowadays its economy is larger than even that of South Africa’s. The most important industry in the country is oil extraction and processing, but manufacturing is getting more profitable.

The middle class is getting more and more powerful, following European trends in consumption. Nigeria is also a front-runner in West Africa’s democratic transformation, its government is working hard on ending corruption and spreading peace and safety on an international level in the whole region. Read our previous article about the Africa expo here.

The pitfalls of opening a branch in Nigeria

For many foreign companies, having a presence in Nigeria is a smart business decision, but not without its pitfalls. Moving to Nigeria is not easy: Lagos is still considered one of the most dangerous cities in the world. And it is not just pickpockets you need to worry about. You need to be very careful in the business world too. The number of forged documents in unbelievably high. From high school graduation certificates, through diplomas, all the way to every kind of official documents, there are gangs who specialize in forging almost everything. Sophisticated-looking Nigerian criminals, with great English language skills and experience in business matters, have made the Nigerian scam an internationally known and feared phenomenon.

All this means that when someone is planning to do business in Nigeria, they need serious help. They would need someone who has knowledge of the local conditions, someone who can give advice on how to navigate the waters and how to avoid those pitfalls.

We had the help of Omotunde Komolafe, the local partner of HTCC, in creating the branch in Lagos. Fortunately for us, he knows everything there is to know about both Nigeria and Hungary. He has been living in Hungary for years now and working on strengthening the economic and cultural relations between Hungary and Nigeria. He has won the Iroko Award, which is given to individuals who help Africa from Hungary.

Their first office opened its doors in Morocco, 2013. Since then further centres have started their operation in Botswana, China, Ghana, Malawi, Thailand and Uganda. With the opening of the Dubai office, they have a vital presence in the Persian Gulf since 2015. They also have a presence in Belgium, Ethiopia, Florida, Gambia, India, Iraq and now in Nigeria.

Featured image: www.facebook.com/HTCC

Success of the 7th HTCC Africa Expo in Budapest – PHOTO GALLERY

HTCC Africa Expo

During seven years, 136 exhibitors and 26 different African countries have represented themselves at the Africa Expo in Budapest. Quarter million visitors were interested in the event that took place in the Travel Exhibition this year as well. Globoport.hu wrote about the occasion.

HTCC Africa Expo

Sándor Balogh, the chairperson of the African Hungarian Union, opened the event with a thought:

“People are not African because they were born there, they are African because Africa was born in them.”

According to him, the Africa Expos aim to charm the visitors with Africa’s beauty and show them what a diverse continent it is. Leading decision makers of the world have realised that Africa is home to such natural treasures that are important for the other continents as well.

HTCC Africa Expo

Culture and business

Africa has a growing interest in our country and many African people want to get to know our culture or even study in Hungary. Curiosity works in the other way as well since HTCC (Hungarian Trade and Cultural Center) help Hungarian people meet the African culture and build successful businesses there.

“Botswana, South-Africa, Gambia, Ghana, Malawi, Morocco and Uganda already have Hungarian houses in the continent that is not only diverse but can also be the economic centre of the next quarter or half century.” – said Sándor Balogh.

He also quoted a Mandinka saying:

“A lot of small people in a lot of small places doing a lot of small things can change the world after all.”

Programmes

The Expo had a rich scale of programmes such as informing the visitors about business opportunities from Malawi to Morocco. Additionally, African born celebrities like Sena Dagadu, Kembe Sorel, and other famous experts and writers. Abdoul Camara, a Senegalese prize-winner dancer, entertained visitors with his bafalon play and acrobatic dance.

Children could admire the African four-toed hedgehog and the curious chameleon changing its colours thank for the Kaméleon Sziget (Chameleon Island). Moreover, Taita Foundation entertained the smallest ones with crafts and pearl beading besides African board games and mask making in the kids’ corner.

There were two special exhibitions at the expo as well. Little kids from Malawi could photograph their everyday life after a crash-course. The Földkelte Alapítvány (Earthrise Foundation) showed the best photos at the Ismerd meg a Világot (Get to Know the World) exhibition. One could also look at the Masks of Africa: the valuable and most beautiful pieces of a private collection called Burkina Fasótól Kongóig (From Burkina Faso to Congo), that were never presented before.

Success of the 7th HTCC Africa Expo in Budapest
The success of the 7th HTCC Africa Expo in Budapest
Success of the 7th HTCC Africa Expo in Budapest
The success of the 7th HTCC Africa Expo in Budapest
Success of the 7th HTCC Africa Expo in Budapest
The success of the 7th HTCC Africa Expo in Budapest
Success of the 7th HTCC Africa Expo in Budapest
The success of the 7th HTCC Africa Expo in Budapest
Success of the 7th HTCC Africa Expo in Budapest
The success of the 7th HTCC Africa Expo in Budapest

Photos: globoport.hu/KONKOLY THEGE GYÖRGY

Beyond tourism – A Hungarian House was opened in Bangkok

bangkok

For decades, we mainly knew Thailand for its pleasant, sandy beaches. In the imagination of the world – and Hungarians – it was kept count of as the destination of dream holidays. But today, Thailand is something much more: it is a dynamically developing economic middle power driven by a quickly developing industry and world-class agriculture. So Hungarians don’t only go there on holidays anymore – they also go with the aim of doing successful business, GLOBS Magazine said.

Thailand is one of the determining partners of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) integration, it is a regional middle power and one of the most perspectival destinations of Hungary’s eastern opening. In 2015 and 2016, it was our second most significant trade partner – after Singapore – in the Southeast Asian region, our 9th most important trade partner in the whole of Asia and our 13th most important export market.

Our export to Thailand grew by 15.3% – from 85 million USD to 98 million USD – in 2016.

Geographically, Thailand is located in a region with a bright outlook for economic growth and a relatively young population, which means a constant workforce supply and a constantly growing market for the upcoming decades. This region is Southeast Asia, populated by 600 million people, rich in human and natural resources, where the economic growth reached 6.3% in 2017.

Similarly to the other economies of the world, the Thai economy was smitten by several storms in the past years. It’s quite surprising that despite all this, the Thai economy and the Thai currency, the baht, has grown stronger, not like many other national economies and currencies of similar type. The power of the Thai economy is best shown by some surprising data. For instance, the country has the 13th greatest touristic income in the world, its agriculture is ranked in the 15th place, while its industry is listed in the 17th place on the world ranking. Concerning the purchasing power parity,

Thailand has the world’s 24th biggest economy.

“The relationship between Thailand and Hungary has been active since the middle of the 1990s, the country is one of the most beloved exotic winter destinations for Hungarian tourists. Thailand – dwelled by 67 million people – offers many other economic and trade opportunities as well” emphasised Sándor Urai, leader of the Hungarian Trade & Cultural Centre (HTCC), at the inauguration ceremony in Bangkok. The import from Thailand to Hungary exceeds 100 billion forints (cca.320 million euro) every year, Hungarian companies deliver goods worth around 30 billion forints (roughly 100 million euro). The Thai restaurants, massage salons found in Hungary are very popular, but several Thai inventions, such as the Red Bull, have conquered the world. However, the investment relations between the countries remain modest. Our most successful investor has been the Thai President Food so far – an enterprise registered in Thailand with a capital of 7 million euros producing instant pasta – which invested 2 million euros in its factory located in Esztergom. On the other side, Hungarian investors constructed a solar cell factory in Chachoengsao province and executed a great volume hotel industrial investment on the island of Samui. But the opportunities cover a much wider horizon.

bangkok thailand

The Hungarian Embassy in Bangkok believes that further opportunities lie in the fields of water management and agriculture.

Thai people are looking for new technologies, practical experience, which can be implemented in the frameworks of sustainable economy. Considering the country’s strong agriculture and food industry, the big delivery distances and the expenses of the complicated logistic system responsible for the transfers and shifting, the marketing of good quality (even premium category) and highly processed Hungarian products is recommended. At the same time, Thai companies might as well be interested in Hungarian experience and expertise regarding the use of bioenergy in engineering and regarding also several service sectors. The cooperation in the field of transportation is also worth mentioning since based on Thai plans, great emphasis will be laid on the development of railway, harbour and aerial transportation.

Thailand – just like Hungary – has joined China’s “One region, one road” initiation and it will soon use Chinese technology to connect Bangkok with the southern part of China through a high-speed rail network.

Moreover, the country is in the gate of significant telecommunication and IT developments, the establishment of a fast, cable internet service accessible for the population is being urged.

Péter Orosz, HTCC’s network development director, highlighted that the initiation launched in 2013 – according to the intention of the founder, Sándor Balogh – also helps Hungarian entrepreneurs enter the market and establish cultural relations. The biggest value is human resource: the organisation complies with its function through cooperating with local colleagues who know the market well and can help on the merits. This is especially important in the case of Thailand, where special rules dominate: except for a few cases, you can only found a local a company if the owner is 51% Thai. When it comes to real estate development, half of the apartments have to be marketed by Thais. The legal environment concerning bank accounts is also quite different from the European. The cheap workforce, growing purchasing power, pleasant climate and lifestyle make Thailand very attractive. HTCC’s work is also helped by local entrepreneur Edward Kiti. The goal is to severely contribute to the development of bilateral economic and cultural relations upon their merits.

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Hungarian kalocsai embroidery is conquering Bangkok

bangkok htcc kalocsai

A big fund-raising fair took place in an elegant shopping centre in Bangkok during the last week of February. As globoport.hu reports, Hungary attended the event among 53 other countries. From the wide-range of products, the Hungarian kalocsai embroidery was an absolute favourite.

Products at the fare

The occasion was the 125th anniversary of the Thai Red Cross’s foundation. The Belgians came with their chocolate and the Swiss brought their watches. Furthermore, the Italians sold their wines, the French showed their cheeses, and the Russians took their Matroska puppets. Hungary introduced the Tokaji Aszú (a sweet white wine), goose liver, acacia honey, and red pepper. Additionally, visitors had the chance to taste many Hungarian foods such as chicken paprikash, brassói roast, salami sandwiches, skinny pancakes and tropical flavoured, coconut kürtős kalács.

bangkok htcc kalocsai

The most successful product

There was a big crowd even before the opening hour but the delegates of the Hungarian Assembly succeeded. The very first customer bought all the Pick salami and while all the Hungarian foods were getting sold, the Thai ladies were busy purchasing the blouses with the kalocsai embroidery.

bangkok htcc kalocsai

Fundraising

Patron of the blossoming event was Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, princess of the Thai royal family. She recognised the main organiser of the booth popularising Hungary. Krisztina Szabó, the Hungarian ambassador in Thailand, received an honorary red cross medal for her sacrificing and successful charity activities. Organisers of the fair donate the earnings of the event every year for children in need. The next caritative event will take place in November in Central World Shopping Centre. If someone is interested in getting there or to the Asian market, HTCC (Hungarian Trade and Cultural Center) can help them.

bangkok htcc kalocsai

Photo: globoport.hu

7th HTCC Africa Expo – Get to know Africa better

logo HTCC

Travel around Africa in four days in the heart of Budapest. The 7th HTCC Africa Expo invites you to enjoy four wonderful days exploring the beauty and hidden treasures of Africa at its exhibition. Let us meet at the Expo from the 1st to the 4th of March.

About the Expo

Get to know Nigeria, Congo, Togo or Senegal better. Members of HTCC (Hungarian Trade & Cultural Center) inform you about the latest business opportunities from Malawi to Morocco. Meet experts, writers, and celebrities who love Africa, such as Sena Dagadu or Kembe Sorel. Take pleasure in admiring the balafon play and acrobatic dance of Abdoul Camara, a prize-winner Senegalese dancer. Listen to the talented Djakali Kone playing the so-called African kora (harp) from Burkina Faso. The 7th HTCC African Expo and Fair is waiting for you with the original African atmosphere, an animal show, spectacular programmes, and loads of information about Africa.

Africa Expo African dance HTCC

“There are a lot of negative aspects about Africa and just a few people know the beauties and values of this continent. It is a great mistake. It is worth exploring the wonders and treasures of Africa!” Sena Dagadu singer, one of the supporters of the 7th HTCC Africa EXPO

Exhibitions and tickets

The event takes place at the Hungexpo Budapest Fair Center (1101 Budapest, Albertirsai street 10.) from the first to the fourth of March. The four days long event is a co-event of the Travel Show at HUNGEXPO Budapest Fair Center. Furthermore, one ticket is valid for the simultaneous exhibitions: the Bike Expo, the Futó Expo (Running Expo), and the 6. Járatlan Utakon Fesztivál (6th Unknown Pathways Festival). The first 150 places for the 7th HTCC African Expo and Fair (both the opening ceremony and the conference) are free. If all of those are sold out, you can buy tickets on the spot or online.

Africa Expo African dance HTCC

Programmes for kids

The Kaméleon Sziget (Chameleon Island) makes it possible to admire the African four-toed hedgehog and the curious chameleon changing its colours. Moreover, Taita Foundation entertains kids with craft activities, pearl beading, African board games, and masks at the kids’ corner.

Special exhibitions

There are two special exhibitions at the expo. Little kids from Malawi could photograph their everyday life after a crash-course. The Földkelte Alapítvány (Earthrise Foundation) shows the best photos at the Ismerd meg a Világot (Get to Know the World) exhibition. You can also look at the Masks of Africa: the valuable and most beautiful pieces of a private collection called Burkina Fasótól Kongóig (From Burkina Faso to Congo), that were never presented before.

Africa Expo African dance HTCC

Prizes

If you sign up for the newsletter at the Utazz Afrikába Utazási Iroda (Travel to Africa Tour Operator) booth, you can win a discounted trip to Senegal, and if you book any trips to Africa, you will be able to get even more discounts.

More information

Come and join us from the 1st to the 4th of March. Our address is Hungexpo Budapest Fair Center (1101 Budapest, Albertirsai street 10.) For more information, visit the event’s website. There, you can find the Exhibition Catalogue and the detailed schedule of the Opening Ceremony and the Conference.

If you want to read about more exhibitions in Budapest, take a look at the  following:

Photos: Hungarian Trade & Cultural Center (HTCC)

Featured image: www.facebook.com/HungarianTradeAndCulturalCenter

A new era to start in Moroccan-Hungarian relations

flag-morocco

The Hungarian-Moroccan economic joint committee held its third meeting in Rabat. Several agreements were concluded to increase the level of cooperation, Globoport said.

Besides industry, the agreements also concern the fields of culture, trade, agriculture, water management and academic research. The contracts were signed by the state secretaries of the responsible departments – on the Hungarian part, by Levente Magyar, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Under these agreements, Hungary will invest 600 million dollars in Morocco in the years to come.

As it was mentioned during the talks, both countries aim to develop trade and encourage investments. Prior to this, a forum of the Hungarian-Moroccan Business was held in Casablanca, where the participants agreed on the main fields to strengthen the cooperation between Hungary and Morocco. The staff of the Moroccan-Hungarian Business Council (camh.org.hu) and the Hungarian Trade & Cultural Centre (HTCC.org.hu) have been working on the development of trade and cultural ties between the two countries for a long time.

The volume of the trade between the two countries amounted to 191 million euros last year – out of this, the Hungarian export added up to 160 million euros.

The topic of touristic cooperation was also touched upon in Casablanca.

This is facilitated by the recently launched direct low-cost flights between Budapest and Morocco: Ryanair takes passengers to Marrakesh, while Wizz Air takes them to Agadir twice a week.

Levente Magyar offered a strategic partnership to Morocco based on the fact that Hungarian investors have the image of the country as the gate to Africa. Similarly to the Moroccan state secretary, he believes that the cooperation could be boosted with the involvement of new actors from the private sphere in highlighted sectors like tourism, agriculture and industry.

A great reform programme was launched in Morocco with the goal of modernising the economy and connecting it to the world economy. According to the programme, local and foreign investors are entitled to different discounts in the North African kingdom.

As Moroccan State Secretary Rakiya Eddarhem noted, thanks to the strengthened cooperation Hungary receives a bigger access to the African market, while it will be easier for Morocco to get access to the Central European market as well. Levente Magyar highlighted that besides the fields of economy, trade, tourism and culture, the exchange of expertise and experiences between the two countries will also be more intense regarding the fight against illegal migration.

translated by Globs Magazine

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Hungarian company sees business potential in Uganda’s environmental protection

A group of delegates from the Hungarian Ferromark-Trading Ltd. visited the Hungarian Trade and Cultural Center’s (HTCC) office in Uganda, Globoport.hu reports. The Ferromark-Trading delegation had discussions with the Ugandan Minister of State for the Environment, the National Environmental Authorities and the representatives of many Ugandan companies. Negotiations have been made on the cooperation between authorities and on the transmission of data and information.

The Ferromark-Halna company has been paying attention to the opportunities offered by the Ugandan market since 2015. The company also investigates and offers technological solutions to the waste management problems of the Eastern-African mining, iron- and steel industry.

Ferromark-Trading Ltd. aims to emphasize how important it is to decrease the use of natural resources, to prevent environmental pollution and to reduce environmental loads.

With the help of the available technology, knowledge and decades of experience, the Hungarian company aims to emphasize that industrial by-products are just as useful as other raw materials, and the same results can be achieved while protecting the environment.

In the last 30-50 years, enormous natural habitats, rain forests, lakes and rivers were lost due to Africa’s mining activity and the exhaustion of natural resources. Environmental protection was not an issue people took seriously until recently.

Local residents and companies used to contribute (to a high extent) to the deforestation and soil erosion of the continent.

Mary Goretti Kitutu, Uganda’s Minister of State for the Environment visited the Ferromark-Trading Ltd.’s establishment in Hungary in May, 2017. She was introduced to the many options regarding the procession of waste produced by the iron- and steel industry. She was also familiarized with the reclamation potential of the mine spoils accumulated by mining activity.

The Hungarian company pays special attention to the environmental protection in Uganda, and thinks that it is really important to handle the mine spoils accumulated by old mines, and get rid of the toxins that might have got into the soil due to the outdated techniques these mine spoils were treated with.

Featured image: www.globoport.hu

The Hungarian Trade & Cultural Center (HTCC) attends symposium held in Algiers

According to htcc.org.hu, an IT Symposium was held in Algiers, capital of Algeria, between the 20th and 22nd of November, 2017. The local embassy invited Hungarian companies and helped them establish promising relations.

The Hungarian delegation travelled to Algeria on the 19th of November, 2017, and they were welcomed at the airport by Krisztina Szabó, foreign economic attaché. On the part of the Hungarian Trade & Cultural Center (HTCC), the event was attended by Balázs Szilágyi, business development advisor. HTCC presented the products and solutions of two Hungarian IT companies – mainly systems in connection with transportation.

In the morning of the 20th of November, the delegation visited the newly built Sidi-Abdallah Cyber Park, which is a state funded start-up incubator house. Emerging local companies and their products were introduced to the audience at the venue. Moreover, the Hungarians got an insight into the Algerian IT situation thanks to Managing Director Abdelhakim Bensaoula.

Photo: www.htcc.org.hu

The delegation also visited the Ministry of Informatics, where they were welcomed by Sir Mohamed Seddik, who is in charge of developments and IT systems. He talked about the recent developments that have been executed in Algeria.

The IT Symposium held on the 21st of November was opened by Mrs Helga Katalin Pritz, Hungarian Ambassador to Algeria. She expressed her pride regarding the close cooperation between Algeria and Hungary in the IT sector. She added that this was the second time the event was held and that she hoped that bilateral trade and business relations will further strengthen between the two countries.

Photo: www.htcc.org.hu

The delegation took part in a series of presentations and B2B meetings. Algerian companies were very much interested in the event, almost sixty of their representatives attended the symposium. The participants represented – among others – internet service provider and start-up companies, informatics enterprises, ministries and state institutions.

To close the successful symposium, the delegations were invited to the residence of the ambassador. On the part of Algeria, prominent personalities and the representatives of the seriously interested companies were present.

The ambassador wished the best of luck to the Algerian and Hungarian businessmen, hoping that the event contributed to the deepening of Hungarian-Algerian ties in the field of information technology.

Featured image: www.htcc.org.hu

A new era to start in Moroccan-Hungarian relations

According to globoport.hu, the Hungarian-Moroccan economic joint committee held talks in Rabat for the third time. Several agreements were concluded to boost cooperation.

Besides industry, the agreements also concern the fields of culture, trade, agriculture, water economy and academic research. The contracts were signed by the state secretaries of the responsible departments – on the Hungarian part, by Levente Magyar, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. As a result of the agreements, Hungary will invest 600 million dollars in Morocco in the next years.

As it was mentioned during the negotiations, both countries aim to develop trade and encourage investments.

Prior to this, a Hungarian-Moroccan business forum was held in Casablanca, where the participants agreed on the main fields to strengthen the cooperation between Hungary and Morocco. The colleagues of the Moroccan-Hungarian Business Council (camh.org.hu) and the Hungarian Trade & Cultural Centre (HTCC.org.hu) have been working on the development of trade and cultural ties between the two countries for a long time.

The volume of the trade between the two countries was 191 million euros last year – out of this, the Hungarian export added up to 160 million euros.

The topic of touristic cooperation was also touched upon in Casablanca. This is facilitated by the recently launched direct low-cost flights between Budapest and Morocco: Ryanair takes passengers to Marrakesh, while WizzAir takes them to Agadir twice a week.

Levente Magyar offered a strategic partnership to Morocco based on the fact that Hungarian investors think of the country as the gate of Africa.

Similarly to the Moroccan state secretary, he believes that the cooperation could be boosted with the involvement of new actors form the private sphere in highlighted sectors like tourism, agriculture and industry.

A great reform programme was launched in Morocco with the goal of modernising the economy and connecting it to the world economy. According to the programme, local and foreign investors get different discounts in the North African kingdom.

As Moroccan State Secretary Rakiya Eddarhem noted, thanks to the strengthened cooperation Hungary receives a bigger access to the African market, while it will be easier for Morocco to access the Central European market as well. Levente Magyar highlighted that besides the fields of economy, trade, tourism and culture, the exchange of expertise and experiences between the two countries will also be more intense regarding the fight against illegal migration.

Featured image: www.globoport.hu

Hungarian rowing success thanks to Florida-Hungary cooperation

The representatives of the Hungarian Trade and Cultural Center (HTCC) and of the Florida International Chamber of Conference (FICOC) gathered together on the 25th of October at the Városligeti Café to celebrate the gold of the Hungarian rowing pair. The Hungarian team won a gold medal at the 2017 World Rowing Championship on the 29th of September.

At the celebratory event, the champions Béla Simon and Adrián Juhász were present too, along with their coxswain, Vanda Kolláth, also Dr. Szabolcs Tamás Bényi, president of the Hungarian Rowing Federation.

The HTCC backing up the sportsmen at the Sarasota-Bradenton World Rowing Championship contributed a lot to their success. The FICOC played an important role too, as the partner of HTCC. It was the FICOC who made sure that the Hungarian team had a balanced training and efficient rest between the rounds. The team contacted the HTCC a couple weeks prior to the world championship. The collaboration between the sportsmen and the Center was exemplary, successful, and fruitful. The participants of the celebratory event could even see the gold medals for themselves, as the contestants have brought them along.

Sándor Balogh, president of the HTCC, told the participants that it was an honour to have been able to support such fine sportsmen as the Hungarian team.

The organisation sponsored several sports events in the past period. As it is reflected in the name of the organisation, strengthening relationships with the help of culture and sports is a very efficient and noble path to choose.

Peter Harris, the president of the FICOC, said that it was an honour for their organisation to have had the opportunity to work with the HTCC and to have helped the Hungarian team at such an important competition. The circumstances were optimal, and everything was made sure to help the team perform at their peak. He further added that it is not only that they are excellent sportsmen, but he is glad that a good friendship was born out of this event and he hopes to keep in touch with them.

The final round was screened at the event, where the Hungarian team beat the Australian contestants in an amazing and triumphant way. Photos were taken at the dinner, all the while the participants could share some personal stories and experiences.

Both the HTCC and the FICOC are proud to have been part of such an extraordinary win and hope that this cooperation will bring even more success to both parties in the future.

featured image:htcc

Vampire scare causes severe problems for Hungarian surgeons in Malawi

hospitals

Fear has been growing since the beginning of September in Malawi, Africa, where several people were killed due to a vampire mass hysteria. The situation reached the point when people are afraid to give blood, globoport.hu reports. Blood shortage causes serious problems for the Hungarian neurosurgeons currently working in Malawi.

As a part of its 17th medical and 3rd surgical mission, the African-Hungarian Union (AHU) sent Hungarian neurosurgeons to perform operations in Malawi, Africa. The surgeons started to receive less blood than it is needed for the surgeries due to the growing vampire mass hysteria that spread along Africa’s South-Eastern country. According to Csaba Szeremley from the Hungarian Trade & Cultural Centre (HTCC),

blood shortage is caused by the growing fear of vampires, and blood donor centres are too afraid to send associates to the rural areas of Malawi because of the lynch mob attacks,

globoport.hu reports.

What is this vampire scare?

Malawi is one of the world’s poorest countries, and belief in witchcraft is not uncommon in the rural parts of the country.

Recently, there has been a growing number of rumours in Malawi about people who drink human blood as a part of some kind of ritual.

These stories of blood sucking people made others believe in the existence of vampires.

This mass hysteria is very dangerous for many reasons. First of all, it has triggered mob violence in the form of lynch mob attacks.

People voluntarily took it upon themselves to punish people whom they suspect to be bloodsuckers, thus leading to the murder of innocent people.

Several people were killed in these attacks. The government even ordered a curfew between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m., but, unfortunately, the number of attacks did not decrease. Hundreds of people got arrested, but the situation does not seem to get better.

As a direct result of the vampire scare, the United Nations (UN) pulled its staff out of certain districts of Malawi where lynch mob violence killed a number of people.

The vampire scare also causes severe problems for the doctors working in Malawi. A group of Hungarian neurosurgeons working in Blantyre (Malawi’s centre) said that even though they do not observe the vampire crisis directly (because the area where they live is completely peaceful), effects of the vampire scare are apparent in the hospital they work at. Shortage of blood is the biggest problem which resulted in the delay of an important surgery.

If you would like to know more about the 17th medical and 3rd surgical mission of the AHU, here you can read about the group of Hungarian neurosurgeons’ first week working in Malawi, Africa.

Young Hungarian football team’s triumph at international tournament in Barcelona

How would you feel if you read an article that started like this: the Hungarian national football team participated in an international tournament in Barcelona, where they had to compete with Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Switzerland and the representatives of other well-known football nations…?

Well, sportmindig.hu believes that you might predict that it’s going to be another face-plant for the Hungarian squad. But the national team actually won the tournament after beating Germany by 2-0. However, the context is not the usual one…

The story is not about the senior national football team. The concerned tournament is the Sant Vicenç Cup, which is the international tournament of young football players, organised by the KOMMIT Association. The boys are listed is five age groups (U19, U17, U15, U13 and U11), while the girls have two age categories (U18 and U15).

Hungary was represented by the team of Future Stars.

The boys belong to the U14 category, but since this isn’t a listed category at the tournament, the boys had to compete against older opponents. Their victory is very precious, because they won the acknowledgement of international experts.

Photo: www.globoport.hu

What could be their secret? First and foremost, they are very talented and capable of outstanding individual performances. Still, the biggest strength of the team is harmony and cooperation.

The boys are trained by great professionals, who can make the most out of them and are excellent teachers.

The Hungarian Trade & Cultural Centre (HTCC) discovered this unity, and they are honoured to be supporting such a nice team.

The team needs the support of HTCC so that they can train properly and take part in international tournaments. The outstanding result proves that the support is paid back by a rapid return.

Featured image: www.globoport.hu

Ce: bm

Is the southern opening the key to African markets?

According to fuhu.hu, the southern opening seems to be working, even if Africa’s share in the total Hungarian trade is small and it is characterised by significant fluctuations. Two Hungarian institutions, the Hungarian National Trading House and the Hungarian Trade & Cultural Centre set the goal to improve our African trade.

The import mostly features processed goods and food, while the export seems to be dominated by engineering products.

The trade with Africa is characterised by a great export surplus, while the continent’s share in the whole trade is still small (an import worth 16.5 thousand billion forints [~ EUR 52 billion] and an export worth 18 thousand billion [~EUR 57 billion] between January and July).

Besides the countries that play an important role in traditional fields and tourism, there are several states that are not in the limelight in Hungary. Out of the „dark” countries, Hungarian diplomacy (and trade) is present in five. For that matter, this is the part of the continent everyone wants to trade with; where China spends a lot of money on different investments.

The last time South Africa was featured in Hungarian news was when a local company’s interest, the New Europe Property Investments (NEPI) Rockcastle bought the Arena Plaza mall.

The 84 billion forint (~EUR 270m) purchase price is obviously not included in the statistics, which recorded an import worth 7.7 billion (~EUR 24m) and an export worth 61 billion (~EUR 196m) last year. Until this July, the import grew to its sesquialter, while the export showed a slight fallback.

The changing of the traffic is significant, even though based on the current evaluation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the southernmost African country’s competitiveness declined drastically due to the eroded institutions and the financial system. Moreover, bad public safety, corruption, political instability and the very high unemployment rate still count as great issues. The South African economy is currently improving, but the expectations are not quite reassuring.

The other great trade partner is Ghana, but it’s hard to manage the one-sided goods relation. Based on last year’s statistics, they had an import worth 25 million forints (~EUR 80,200) and an export worth 13.5 billion (~EUR 43.3m). This year’s rates are much better, the country is constantly developing.

Similarly, Nigeria is part of the “billionaires club” regarding import.

Hungary bought products worth 31 million forints (~EUR 99,550) last year, and 8 million (~EUR 25,690) so far this year. Meanwhile, the Hungarian export reached 9.9 (~EUR 31.7m) and 6.1 billion (~EUR 19.6m).

The Angolan trade traffic shows a very interesting pattern. There was basically no Hungarian import from the country last year, while the onetime Portuguese colony bought products worth 1.5 billion forints (~EUR 4.8m) from us. But both of the rates increased in the first part of this year: we had an import worth 6 million forints (~EUR 19,270) and an export worth 23 billion (~EUR73.8m). The same tendency characterises Nigeria.

Ethiopia, hit by war and terrorism, sold us products for 310 million (~EUR 995,450) and bought products for 6.3 billion (~EUR 20.2m) last year. This year, Hungary spent 136 million forints (~EUR 436,720) on Ethiopian products and sold them goods for 753 million (~EUR 2.4m) so far.

Kenya used to be the most developed African country regarding infrastructure. It is currently somewhat underrated in the Hungarian trade with a 400 million (~EUR 1.2m in 2016) and 87.5 million (~EUR 280,980 until July 2017) import and a 5 billion (~EUR 16m) and 1.2 billion (~EUR 3.8m) export.

Hungary usually sells machines, means of transportation and other processed goods to these countries, and buys raw materials, agricultural products and processed goods.

Two Hungarian institutions, the Hungarian National Trading House and the Hungarian Trade & Cultural Centre, are winning more and more positions on the continent the whole world wants to exploit. This is an achievement to be proud of.

Ce: bm

Hungarian beauty queen on humanitarian mission in Ghana

According to globoport.hu, beauty queen Tímea Gelencsér, who won the Miss World Hungary title in 2016, arrived in Ghana. Her mission is supported by the Hungarian Trade & Cultural Centre (HTCC).

She was welcomed at the airport by Miss and Mr Ghana.

Photo: www.facebook.com/GelencsérTímea

The beauty queen’s dream came true when she got the chance to go horseback riding at the seacoast in Ada.

She said that she always feels sorry for kids signalling that they’re hungry with their hands, so she usually gives them some change.

She was very touched after visiting an orphanage, where she also had the opportunity to distributed the gifts of HTCC.

Photo: www.facebook.com/GelencsérTímea

A huge explosion happened recently in the capital city of Ghana, a bunker and a petrol station burst where six people died. Many people believe that the reason behind the explosion was that locals wanted to grill near the petrol station. The beauty queen was shocked by the tragic event, but she still wanted to continue her humanitarian mission.

A similar tragedy happened in June 2015, when 150 people died in Accra in a fire. A petrol station got on fire in the worst possible moment: hundreds of people were running there to hide from the pouring rain and the flood that followed. The petrol leaked to the surface of the water and blew up the petrol station with the cars and full of people.

Featured image: www.facebook.com/GelencsérTímea

Ce: bm

Great start for Hungary at the World Rowing Championships

Globoport.hu writes that the 2017 World Rowing Championships started last weekend in Florida. Béla Simon and Adrián Juhász qualified for the final of the men’s coxed pair event, which is a great success considering that Hungary is not particularly a rowing country.

The event is held between the 23rd of September and the 1st of October in Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida. The location is perfect for the competition as the Nathan Benderson Park was built to FISA racing standards and boasts 9 x 13.5 metre lanes with 50 metres of clear water between the west shore and the course and 27 metres between the wave attenuator and the course.

The Hungarian rowing duo is sponsored by the Hungarian Trade & Cultural Centre (HTCC). The team made it into the final with the help of pilot Vanda Kolláth.

Photo: www.globoport.hu

The Juhász & Simon duo, who won the European Championships last year in the men’s pair category, finished in the second place behind the German duo in the heat held on Tuesday, thus qualifying into the top 6. The final will be held on Friday.

Photo: www.globoport.hu

Moreover, origo.hu reports that the Balázs Fiala, Bence Tamás, Péter Csiszár and Péter Krepsics quartet is also interested in two events. The first one is the men’s quadruple sculls, is which they qualified into the semi-final, while they are automatically finalist in the men’s coxed four as only six team entered the event.

Good luck!

Featured image: www.facebook.com/WorldRowing

Ce: bm

“We all believe in Africa” – The 6th Africa Expo has started

According to globoport.hu, Thursday was a professional day, but the Africa Expo can be visited by anyone from Friday as part of the Travel Exhibition held at Hungexpo.

“Here we all believe in Africa” said Africa expert Ildikó Szilasi at the opening ceremony of the 6th Africa Expo. The founder and organiser of the event thanked Hungexpo Budapest Market for taking Africa into the heart of the Travel Exhibition, and the main sponsor of Africa expo, the Hungarian Tarde & Cultural Centre (HTCC), and its president, Sándor Balogh, who is also the president of the African-Hungarian Union (AHU).

It shows the prestige of the event that the ambassadors of several African countries like Morocco, Angola, Republic of South Africa and Sudan were present at the opening ceremony.

Péter Orosz, the network development director of HTCC, expressed his joy for being able to welcome African countries and their exhibitors. He hopes that the Africa Expo will contribute to bringing the continent and its dwellers closer to Hungarians.

Sándor Balogh, the founder of the main sponsor HTCC, read the letter of patron Miklós Seszták, Minister of National Development, in his speech. He wrote about how we, Hungarians feel about Africa. When we think of the continent – with the words of the famous Hungarian traveller, Zsigmond Széchenyi – we see diversity and intense exoticism, where sunrises are brighter and raindrops shine more beautifully. Just like he experienced in 2015, when he visited Uganda.

But Africa is much more than that: it welcomes foreign investors, including Hungarians, with great opportunities. However, we have to be present at the continent to turn these opportunities into successes. This is why he’s happy that HTCC now has offices in seven African countries, because they aim to represent the Hungarian business world in Africa and to facilitate successful investments.

The Hungarian government considers Africa an important partner. In our globalising world we have to face challenges, difficulties like the climate change, sustainable development, immigration, to which we can only give adequate answers if we stick together. As the Mandinka saying goes: many small people in many small places, while doing many small things, can change the face of the world. In our case, this is only possible if, besides the traditional western openness, Hungary is also open towards eastern and southern countries – stated the minister. In fact, based on estimations, Africa’s share of the world economy’s performance is expected to grow from the current 2% to 12% by 2050.

Visitors can get to know Africa, its culture and opportunities at 28 exhibitor stands during the Africa Expo. The selection is quite diverse: it covers almost all fields of life from tourism, charity and volunteer programmes to business opportunities.

The African-Hungarian Union, organiser of medical and child support missions, received a separate stand along with Taita Charity supporting the African orphanage and school, the Republic of South Africa, Angola, Globoport Media Holding dealing with both Africa and the rest of the world, Culture Africa Charity, Travel to Africa travel agency, Védegylet fairtrade movement, Jane Goodall Institution and Conservationist Association, and of course the main sponsor, HTCC, which also held a business conference at the expo.

Take out your planners and write down Africa Expo for this weekend. It is the place for you to go if you’re interested in the continent. By the way, there’s also going to be an Africa bazaar, where you can get a taste of culture by favour of Ballett Camara and Abdoul Camara, professional Senegalese dancers and musicians.

Photos: www.globoport.hu

ce: bm

Hungarian Trade and Cultural Center spreads in the USA

According to mothly Globs Magazine, the Hungarian Trade and Cultural Center (HTCC), now having 13 offices worldwide, opened its newest office in Florida, one of the most important states of the US. The HTCC in Florida helps the Hungarian companies to enter the markets and to spread in the USA with the close cooperation and incorporation of local partner organisations and experts. The Parties signed these agreements in November.  

Important Milestone

Followed by Washington, The Hungarian Trade and Cultural Center opened a new agency in Sarasota which was preceded by an in-depth market research and sensitive negotiations. The Floridian partners’ determination and their interest in HTCC and also in the Hungarian business opportunities are indicated by the separate delegation spent to Budapest in order to introduce in details their activity and won their confidence.

The agreement on the representation of HTTCC in Florida was signed by Ádám Szerbin Executive Director by Hungarian part and Peter Harris, Executive Director of the Florida International Chamber Of Commerce (FICOC) by American part. Both parties indicated that Florida could offer special economic, trade and, last but not least, investment opportunities to Hungarian companies. In favour of the successful businesses the Florida International Chamber Of Commerce will provide the enterprising Hungarians with all support and help, as it strives to facilitate the development of the economic relations in the whole Middle European region.

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Warm Welcome for the Hungarians

Globs Magazine said, Hungary is not unknown for the Americans. There are many American corporations in our country, therefore, it is time for the Hungarians, too, to establish presence in the United States. It is no coincidence that the operation of and the successful international role of HTCC raised the Americans’ attention. The organization with head quarters in Budapest is present at several points in the world helping the Hungarian companies to enter the market.

“Hungary and the Hungarian people are warmly welcome in the USA. We are aware of every rule, we know every business forum, and we are capable of doing good marketing”, said the Executive Director of FICOCt, Peter Harris who emphasised that the fundamental task of the Florida International Chamber Of Commerce is to help and to support the activities of foreign enterprises, investors and businessmen. The HTCC is a perfect partner to achieve these goals and to develop a long-term cooperation.

 Florida is a special place

“We have a completely unique endowment, therefore, Hungary and Florida can have seemingly infinite economic and trading opportunities”, Les Grandi, tax and financing advisor who travelled with the Florida delegation to Hungary.

The expert explicitly stressed the advantages and positive effects of Florida’s sub-tropical climate, which makes tourism one of the leading sectors of the state: it provides approximately 1.2 million people with permanent job. Nothing illustrates better its popularity than having about 95 million visitors in 2015 which has a huge impact on the local real estate trading. Beside tourism, the entertainment industry is also significant which is a magnet for the visitors.

Why Sarasota?

Florida is maybe the most important part of the USA’s economic life. According to the annual study called Best State for Business, it is the fourth most favourable tax environment and the second in offering help to enterprises.

Nineteen commercial airports operate in Florida, and altogether with four, 800-km long rail networks, and with more than 20000-km long motorway, the state can be proud of outstanding infrastructure. It offers a great opportunity for doing business with its income tax of 0%.

Open Doors to the World

The aim of the Hungarian Trade and Cultural Center is to help and support those Hungarian enterprises which want to spread globally and enter into successful businesses. In order to achieve this, The HTCC established offices in several points of the world, so that it can represent the interests of Hungarian enterprises not only from Budapest but also from local levels. Besides, it maintains close relations and cooperation with local chambers, business organizations, and last, but not least, with businessmen which is an essential condition of successfully entering the foreign market.

According to Globs Magazine, the HTCC opened its first office in Morocco in 2013, and then it was successfully spreading in Uganda, Malawi, Ghana and China. The organization reached a significant break-through in 2015, after opening an office in Dubai, in the Persian Gulf. The HTCC was primarily specialised in regions which have the potential for businesses but had remained unknown for Hungarian enterprises, businessmen and investors.

[learn_more caption=”Facts about FICOC”] The FCOC was established by Peter Harris in 1997. The organization has held international seminars since 2001 in Florida, helping the foreign entrepreneurs to enter the markets of Florida and the USA, to establish new enterprises, and in the questions in connection with immigration and in the administration in relation to immigration. Since the start of its operation, the organization has promoted the in-flow of 750 million Dollars to Florida; the organization can be proud of significant professional references. The FCOC has strategic partnerships with more than 150 tourism, economy and trade development organizations, from which the most significant ones are Enterprise Florida, Visit Florida, and EDC Sarasota County. The organization has own head quarters in London, and now in Budapest, too, moreover, they are about opening their new office in Kiev.[/learn_more]

Sarasota is located on the Middle-Western Florida shore, so the location is a good choose. Sarasota’s beach have successively won the award of the most beautiful beaches of the United States, so it became a popular tourist destination, in addition, the biggest businessmen can also be found here. It is a dynamically growing town; pursuant to the demographic estimations, the number of its habitants is going to duplicate in 5 years, thanks to the continuous economic growth.

Read more Globs Magazine news!

Chongqing representation of HTCC starts working

china hungary flag

The new representation of HTCC has been working since January 2017 in South China, reports httc.org.hu.

The location is the city of Chongqing, a very important industrial centre of the region. The Hungarian Consulate-General opened in the city in 2010, Ferenc Fülöp, manager of HTCC in China, started his Chongqing job here as an external economic diplomat, back in 2013. During his time here he had the chance to get to know many industry and economic leaders in important positions, and he can rely on these relations during his job now. Because his job is to build economic and cultural relations between HTCC and the south-western region of China.

Ferenc Fülöp in the HTCC office in Chongqing Photo: htcc.org.hu

The surface of Chongqing is 82, 400 km2, its population is a bit less than 30 million people. The province-level municipality is keeping the two-digit increase of the GDP, which is much more than the Chinese average. Chongqing is one of the four province-level municipalities of China, but it is larger than, for example, Shanghai, in terms of territory and population, and its city population is “only” the 60% of the total population.

The 1997 establishment of Chongqing was a very important event for the development of the central and western region of China. “Three Gorges” project was a big improvement in terms of the protection against flood, the navigability of Yangtze, and the production of pure electricity. It brought the development of the tourism and the better quality of living for people in this area.  The railway network, which is being built in a fast pace, brings the large cities, that are far away from each other, close, helping their economic development.

Electricity, and the branch of industry connected to it, have developed a lot in the last years. The increase in the production of aluminium products, laptops, cars, was all around 20%. ChangAn, the largest car factory of the region, can be found in the municipality, which has affiliated companies with Ford and Suzuki. The private sector of Chongqing produces 60% of the GDP. The export possibilities of the food industry are promising from the Hungarian partners’ point of view, because the food safety of China is still weak; the population trusts import products.

Copy editor: bm