The main objective of the Cseh-Magyar Üzleti Klub (Czech-Hungarian Business Club), established in 2004, is to develop bilateral business relations and promote cooperation between Czech and Hungarian businesses. In addition, the Club aims to create a forum for its members – be they companies or individuals – to deepen their cultural and human ties in addition to their business contacts. That Club also wishes to contribute to the two countries, the two nations, getting to know each other's values better and further develop the traditional cooperation to the benefit of both sides.
As the President of the Club, László Vajányi points out to Diplomacy&Trade, “success in the life of a business club is when its members find successful business opportunities through club membership, or when a business leader is able to make the best decision based on the opportunities they hear about and experience in the club. The important thing here is not the club, itself but the members who join the club to help each other, share their experiences about Czech trade activities and create new and new business opportunities for themselves and their fellow club members in the framework provided by the club.”
Citing some concrete examples, he highlights that “we held an international business meeting for the automotive industry in the four Visegrád countries. Last year, within the framework of international support from the Czech government, we organized major tenders for companies from the Czech Republic entering the Hungarian market and Czech companies operating in Hungary. Such an international tender took place in 19 countries in the world and we know that our organization, for example, reached the most applicants and won the most tenders, fully exhausting our possibilities. Given all this, we still consider as the biggest success for our club when members win one of their best business opportunities through their membership here.”
Close cooperation
Czech-Hungarian business relations are developing dynamically. Regarding the role of the Club in strengthening bilateral relations, the President is of the view that the significant growth trade relations between the two countries in recent years are linked primarily to the very well functioning Czech Embassy. “As the Czech-Hungarian Business Club works closely with the Czech Embassy, we play a liaison role between the Embassy and our members. In addition, CzechTrade plays an important role in strengthening bilateral relations, as does the Embassy, and we are able to work with them in a similarly effective way, both in terms of information and events.”
Concerning the Club’s role in facilitate business relations between its members and external partners, László Vajányi stresses that there is no template for this. “We have a common internal marketplace, we have a business network around our members and because we are members of the EU Chambers, we reach out to all members of other bilateral chambers, clubs and associations, which can mean tens of thousands of potential business partners.”
He adds that all sorts of topics and issues/challenges are discussed at club meetings. “We try to reflect on the current situation and these shape the themes of our events. This was also the case at our last event, where energy, cyber defense and the automotive industry were the topics.”
According to the Club's statutes, it is also an advocacy organization, representing the interests of its members with the Hungarian government, municipalities or other decision makers. As the President points out, “we are involved in trade issues and in this field, we cooperate with local governments and even participate in intergovernmental meetings.”
Not just strictly business
Meetings of the Czech-Hungarian Business Club are held in a relaxed atmosphere with delicious Czech food and beer. “We regularly sit down to the table with festive Czech food and our favorite, sparkling, frothy Czech, beers. One such event we host every year is the Czech Beer Festival, which, as well as being a treat, always brings business opportunities,” he says.
Of course, members of the Club contribute to bilateral relations beyond the business sphere, for example by deepening cultural and people-to-people contacts. In this regard, László Vajányi explains, the Club has, for example, organized a cultural and culinary trip to the Czech Republic, to South Moravia, with a rich program of activities, “just for ourselves, to enrich our knowledge of Czech culture, history and gastronomy together.”
The value of membership
Membership in the Czech-Hungarian Business Club is growing. As for the value of membership in this club, the President explains that “over the last decade, business relations between the two countries have intensified and interest has increased in both directions, therefore, we are contacting the companies participating in this process. With new entrants, we can share primarily our experience, be it sectoral, commercial, legal or accounting. This can save time and sometimes money. Our aim is to maintain our ‘club’ character, with friendly exchanges of experience and interesting and valuable professional events.”


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