AGENDA:

08:15-09:00: Arrival & Networking

09:00-09:10: Opening Remarks by Zoltán Szabó, President, AmCham and by István Joó, CEO, HIPA; Government Commissioner for the Implementation of Large Foreign Direct Investments

09:10-09:30: Keynote by Péter Szijjártó, Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade 

09:30-09:45: Renewing the AmCham-HIPA Strategic Partnership Agreement 

09:45-10:15: Keynote by Fabian Zuleeg, Chief Executive and Chief Economist, European Policy Centre followed by a Q&A

10:15-11:00: Panel Discussion with

• Andrea Antoniou, VP Iron Mountain Central & Southern Europe
• Nikolaas Baeckelmans, Vice President EU Affairs, ExxonMobil 
• Mario Klesse, Vice President, Regional Commercial Strategy Lead, Johnson and Johnson Innovative Medicine
• Abhinav Kumar, Global Chief Marketing Officer, TATA CS
• Munir Nanji, Central Europe Sub-Cluster and Banking Head, Citi
• Moderated by: Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU

11:00-11:10: Anniversary Cake

11:10-11:50: Break

11:50-13:20: Breakout Sessions (Please kindly note that breakout sessions will be held parallel.) – company representatives engage in a discussion with government officials:

Business Environment (in English without translation):
Business actors and government representatives will discuss how current tax and investment related strategies impact competitiveness, how Hungary can add to the EU’s growth and how we can maximize returns. We take an in-depth exploration of the country’s fiscal landscape and its current directions in industrial policy. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your understanding and make informed decisions for your business ventures. 

Panelists:

• Botond Besesek, Deputy State Secretary for Tax Regulation and Accounting, Ministry of Finance
• Zoltán Dapsy, Managing Director, Continental Budapest
• István Joó, CEO, HIPA; Government Commissioner for the Implementation of Large Foreign Direct Investments
• Máté Lóga, State Secretary for Economic Strategy, Industry, Financial Resources and Macroeconomic Analysis, Ministry for National Economy
• László Szivi, Director for Network Operations, Hammel & Hochreiter
• Moderated by: Dorottya Prokaj, Tax Manager, Andersen

Healthcare (in Hungarian with translation to English):
The AmCham Healthcare Committee will host a discussion on the role of health as a key driver of national competitiveness. We will also address the healthcare-related recommendations from the AmCham 2024 Strategic Recommendation Package aimed at fostering a more sustainable and competitive Hungary. Additionally, the event will feature the launch of our newly published Data Policy Paper. A roundtable discussion featuring key government decisionmakers will highlight how health initiatives can enhance the nation’s competitive edge.

Panelists:

• Judit Bidló, Deputy State Secretary for the Professional Coordination of Healthcare, Ministry of Interior Affairs 
• Ádám Nagy, Deputy State Secretary of Industry Affairs, Ministry for National Economy 
• János Révész, Director General, National Hospital Directorate (invited)
• Mariusz Révész, State Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office 
• Co-moderators: Vanda Galambos, Policy Center Lead, Roche & Chair, Healthcare Committee, AmCham & Krisztina Ujhelyi, Market Access, Government Affairs and Big Capital Lead, Medtronic

Workforce (in Hungarian with translation to English):
The workforce breakout will bring a comprehensive discussion on the strategies Hungary could implement to maintain a competitive edge in the EU labor market, with a focus on attracting highly skilled foreign workers. The panel will also cover current trends in the employment of foreign workers from third countries. Panelists will highlight the most critical points and share best practices and innovative policies from neighboring countries. This panel will provide valuable insights by policymakers, business leaders, and HR professionals striving to enhance Hungary’s appeal to top international talent.

Panelists:

• Szilvia Balogh, Deputy State Secretary, Ministry for National Economy
• Dávid Meretei, HR Manager, Howmet
• László Róbel, Head of Department, Regional Directorate of Budapest and Pest County, National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing
• László Szőcs, HR Director for GBS Europe & HR Business Partner for GBS Customer, bp
• Moderated by: Andreas Köhler, Partner, CMS

Digital (in English without translation):
What are the key digital transformation trends shaping industries in 2024? How are businesses leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance their digital strategies? The AI Act which came into effect on August 1, 2024, will be applied gradually, in multiple stages, and will become mandatory by mid-2026. We will explore the practical implications of the AI Act and discuss how AI developments are redefining competitive advantage and creating new opportunities for businesses in Hungary and the EU. Panelists will give insights into innovative AI strategies and how they can be leveraged to ensure long-term growth and resilience.

Panelists:

• Gergely Kiss, Co-Founder, Attrecto
• Gábor Béla Magyar, Head, Artificial Intelligence Working Group, National Tax and Customs Administration; University Professor at Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME)
• Katalin Horváth, Partner, Technology, Media and Telecommunications
• Veronika Spanarova, Managing Director and Country Head for Citi
• Szabolcs Szolnoki, Deputy State Secretary for Technology, Ministry for National Economy
• Moderated by: Theodore Boone, Member of the Faculty, Corvinus University of Budapest

13:20-15:00: Lunch & Networking