The rise of Chinese merchants in Hungary
The country has an impressive number of over 7000 Chinese and Vietnamese shops selling clothes and all sorts of products.
It is common knowledge that there is a relatively big Chinese community in Hungary, especially in the capital. So strong that in May, they organised a three-day-long campaign to vaccinate 600 Chinese people living in Hungary.
Chinese merchants used to start their businesses in the country with small shops and stores selling clothes. Today, they sell all kinds of products for very low prices, let it be a hand mixer, a suitcase, a football, clothing items or sweets. Not only Chinese, but more and more Vietnamese merchants are also present on the Hungarian market. Some of them even own their very huge stores, similar to shopping centres.
These Asian merchants started as simple vendors at marketplaces, selling their products on small tables. Then they moved into small shops, then to bigger ones, only
to establish their own marketplaces and department stores.
Their working circumstances and the image of their shops changed drastically, from a ramshackle hut to a fancy big building.
The new marketplace of Józsefváros district, Sárkánycenter (DragonCentre), and AsiaCenter, for instance, are all proofs of their development and expansion, writes the trade blog blokkk.com. The old marketplace of Józsefváros moved to the other side of the big Kőbányai út, where the owners established a neat and tidy place, similar to a nice shopping centre.
This change is also because most of these Chinese vendors selling clothes decided to switch to having a widespread business of considerable traffic. In Kőbánya (Buda), for example, a new wholesale centre was opened with brand new shops.
Especially in the past few years,
the number of those Chinese or Vietnamese stores and convenience shops selling all kinds of everyday items skyrocketed in the residential areas.
It might be the effect of fast fashion clothing lines that made prices decrease. Nevertheless, the previously very popular and small 1-euro shops also disappeared.
Today, it is easy to bump into an Asian convenience shop or small discount store anywhere in the capital. Napi.hu found out that
the number of Chinese or Vietnamese little shops or businesses in the country is somewhere between seven and eight thousand.
Even bigger villages and settlements possess at least one, let alone big cities.
Some of these businessmen managed to become quite a big fish in the dangerous waters of commerce by establishing small chains of shops. Having a webshop for their products is also part of the package. Unico-Trade, for one, has eight little shops – including a webshop – in Budapest, called Eugroup.
On the other hand, the coronavirus pandemic certainly hit hard these Chinese clothes shops and smaller businesses, together with the system of online cash registers. Since giving a receipt was never really fashionable at these businesses.
Read alsoGovernment pledges EUR 558.9m to boosting business productivity
Source: napi.hu, blokkk.com
3 Comments
EMBRACED as a Policy of the Fidesz Party – this article “scratches the surface” barely, of the on-going continual growth in the relationship – that in – FACT – is occurring between China and Hungary.
The Chinese are without doubt – the Favored – special dispensations and arrangements granted – country of immigrants in Hungary.
Visit an Immigration office of the Hungarian Government and do a head count of Chinese waiting to lodge applications for Residency.
It is Scary – that in one day alone 96% of applicants sitting waiting – with there Interpreters -to lodge there papers – are Chinese.
Property Market – Foreign Investors into it – from 2015 to 2020 – new property – storage and warehouse facilities – renovated properties – the Chinese “topped” the class by day light hours – followed by the Vietnamese and Germans.
The “preferred” vaccine of choice by the present Government of Hungary – over 2.5 million Hungarians Vaccinated using the Sinopharm – Chinese “conglomeration” – it’s preference – “veiled” by the present Government – in there long term arrangements they are undertaking with China.
Budapest, Hungary – the “new” silk road – the East meets the West – that by on-going rail development – the location of Budapest, Hungary – makes an IDEAL – distribution European Location and Center – for the on-forwarding – disbursement – of Chinese produced products.
Fudan University – funded by Chinese funds – run and controlled by Chinese – and numerous “other” highly questionable arrangements that spell – spelt -DANGER – for Hungary – if this project ever gets off the ground.
In these challenging and difficult times for us in Hungary – the “explosive” situation and fragile relationship we are experiencing, through our own Government agenda, with the European Union and “other” major countries globally – is China our “line of credit”.
Where there is Smoke there is Fire – and I firmly believe – that sizable funding is being received by arrangement with China by the present Government of Hungary.
How large is that line of credit ?
What is contained in the “fine print” of the Financial Loan agreement?
Are we or have we handed over – or Surrendered to China – any of our “jewels” – lands or “other” assets of Hungary – for this Monetary Loan Agreement ?
Interest rates – up.
Un-employment up.
Tourism – sluggish.
Huf – on Monetary Markets – under pressure.
National Elections May 2022.
Growing “angst” in civilians of Governments performance – that policies do appear to be fragmenting, dividing and aggressively – challenging civilian life-style groups from “all stations in life” – in particular those of the LGBTQ – Family.
Law passed June 15th – European outrage and Global – objection of its passing and restrictiveness imposed and placed on civilian’s – freedom and liberty.
Interesting time for Hungary – and the National Elections of 2022.
Not since 1989 – have there been National Elections that will “shape and mould” – the Hungary – it’s immediate short and long term Future.
Democracy – traditional values of – Yes or No – that’s in our Hands.
The conundrum – a confusing difficult problem or question – that is being poised – Challenging – the 9.6 million Hungarians is what form of Government – does it wish to be Governed under.
Saint Pope John Paul 11 – in his visit to Hungary 1991 – that to-day remains carved into stone in Hero’s Square – is worth deep and serious consideration – for the future Political Landscape – Party and Policies – Direction of Government for Hungary.
Saint Pope John Paul 11 – words of wisdom to Hungary – 1991 ;
“Mindful of the Blessings that Freedom, which You – have Definitively Secured means for your Future.
Cherish it – and make Good use of Your Liberty”.
This is the conundrum we Face. – going forward.
Do we “sign off” or continue to allow – what the message in the words contained in Saint Pope John Paul 11 message – to be taken stripped from us ???
Fragmenting – the re-writing and re-wording of the core components of Democracy – is fraught with DANGERS.
To then “veil” or “smoke screen” – the Fact – that the ADJUSTMENTS, CHANGES and ADDITIONS – are ALL under the core foundations of DEMOCRACY – is absolutely Fabrication and Falseness of Truth.
This is what has been and continues to be the Political Agenda of the current Prime Minister – Victor Orban led Fidesz Party and Government of Hungary.
Political aggressive objection continues to be bombarded at Hungary – from the European Union, Europe , Great Britain and the United States of America – and “other ” countries – bought on by this “veiling” or “smoke screening” – stripping pulling apart fragmenting, re-wording and the re-writing of Democracy – under the Philosophy and Ideas the “catechism” of the Fidesz Political Party.
Fidesz – “feed” on POWER – then in a distant second place – the people citizens of Hungary.
National Elections May 2022 – we through the RIGHT of Democracy – get our chance to cast our vote which is our VOICE – to decide the future direction and Government style – we wish for Hungary.
This is a crucial time in our History – and our VOTE – our VOICE in May 2022 rightfully under Democracy is our opportunity to “shape” and “mould” our country for it’s FUTURE.
“Mindful of the Blessings that Freedom, which You have Definitively Secured for your Future ”
Amen – in Trust may it be returned to it’s Rightful Meaning and Practice in Hungary.
Every major business and financial issues the US – have major relationship with China – nothing Hungary comes even close. China has a greater population than the entire western world. With a dying europe and corrupted government in the US- you would be a fool not have some relationship. same goes for Russia but for different reasons. Germany has gifted Russia to handle its blood supply worth billions.