AmCham Hungary, one of the largest American Chambers of Commerce in Central and Eastern Europe, discusses their advocacy efforts, particularly highlighting the chamber’s recently established Healthy Nation Policy Task Force and its aim to positively shape the current and future state of healthcare in Hungary. Can you please describe for our readers AmCham’s history in Hungary as well as some of the areas where you have recently been working? Irisz Lippai-Nagy (ILN): AmCham is a nonfinancial and nonpolitical organization founded in 1989 currently comprised of 365 members. Around 40 percent of our members are American, 30 percent are international companies and 30 percent are Hungarian companies. Our members represent over 190,000 employees and 36% of Hungarian exports. The chamber’s main focus has been the execution of our policy agenda, which was published last year. Our mission is to help Hungary increase their spot in competiveness ranking reports. In 2014 Hungary was ranked 60, our hope is that this will be 50 by 2025. [Featured_in] We have identified four major areas to focus on: investment, encompassing the general investment environment, taxation, regulation and subsidies; talent, including workforce and education; innovation; and lastly healthcare, which encompasses the Healthy Nation Policy Task Force, whose activities focus on improving the health of the Hungarian population. In all of these areas we have identified challenges and made commitments. From your perspective, what qualities make Hungary such a favorable investment destination for your member companies, especially when compared to other markets within the region? ILN: There are several reasons Hungary is a favorable investment destination. Traditionally Hungary has had a very talented workforce, and investors value the people they can find here. Additionally, Hungary’s geographic location makes it easy to serve the whole globe, connecting the east and the west. This has become even more apparent with recent investments in physical and IT, digital infrastructure, helping to connect all different parts of the continent.

Hungary’s geographic location makes it easy to serve the whole globe, connecting the east and the west