Ambassador András Simonyi and George
Herbert Walker, U.S. Ambassador to Hungary, were keynote speakers at a
series of trade and investment road shows spanning three states and cities
between November 28 and December 2, 2005.
The road show, entitled "Hungary: A
Regional Hub for Doing Business in Europe," stopped in St. Louis, MO;
Cleveland, OH; and Chicago, IL, and was supported by the U.S. Department
of Commerce and the Investment and Trade Development Agency of Hungary.
The Ambassadors met local businessmen in order to introduce Hungary as an
entry point to the European Union for U.S. businesses.
In St. Louis, Ambassador Simonyi
inaugurated the new honorary consulate general of the Republic of Hungary
for the state of Missouri on November 28 by presenting Consul General Joe
Adorjan with the letter of commission.
On
Friday, December 2, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Europe, Eric Stewart
gave a keynote speech at a seminar on "Hungary: A Regional Hub for
Doing Business in Europe," in Cleveland. DAS Stewart indicated that
relations between the U.S. and Hungary were stronger than ever before and
as a regional player, Hungary has proven to be an attractive regional hub
for many U.S. companies.
He said that trade and investment
continues to grow between Hungary and the United States. In 2004,
our bilateral trade was more than $3.7 billion. The United States is
the second largest investor in Hungary. Of the $40 billion of
Hungary's direct foreign investment since 1989, $9 billion has been from
the U.S.
Having recently joined the European
Union, Hungary is a fully-functioning market economy with well-established
legal structures. Strategically located in the middle of Europe,
Hungary is a technologically and infrastructurally advanced but
cost-effective country. U.S. exports to Hungary are increasing and
now stand at $1.1 billion.
Over the years, Hungary has become a
regional hub for global business, trade, and investment. Many
multinational companies have chosen Hungary for their European
headquarters and leading-edge R&D centers. The country is the
home to key operations for most of the Fortune 500 companies, including
GE, GM, IBM, Alcoa, Ford, HP, Nokia, Audi and Sony.
From left, Amb. Walker, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay,
Amb. Simonyi, and Consul General Joe Adorjan
Karel Schuber Vice President and William Danforth,
President of the Danforth Plant Science Center with Amb. Walker, Amb.
Simonyi, and Consul General Adorjan
Ambassadors Simonyi and Walker with Monsanto CEO Hugh
Grant (middle)
Amb. and Mrs. Simonyi with Joe and Diana Adorjan, and
Amb. Walker
Business breakfast at The Executives' Club in Chicago
Honorary Consul Kaarina Koskenalusta, Edgar Jannotta,
Chairman of William Blair & Co., LLC, and Ambassador Simonyi
at The Executives' Club event in Chicago
