Welcome from the IHBA Chairman, John McMillan

Welcome to the Irish Hungarian Business Association website. Over the past 15 years, the nations of Ireland and Hungary have been forging ever closer trade, investment, tourism and cultural links.

The Irish Hungarian Business Association continues to play an important role in helping to build relationships at a business and personal level to strengthen the economic ties between our two countries. We are a voluntary organisation, strongly supported by our association’s President, His Excellency Ambassador Tamás Magyarics. Our website is designed to be a focal point and information source for our members and visitors alike.

Our members are important to us and we continue to seek ways in which we can enhance the benefits of membership. We very much welcome new members and I, as well as the Council Members, look forward to interacting with you as our association continues to grow.

We wish you every success with your business activities.

John McMillan

IHBA Chairman

Welcome from the IHBA President, Ambassador Tamás Magyarics

Ireland and Hungary are relatively far away from each other; however, there are more things linking them than meet the eye. We are members of the same family – the European Union. Ireland and Hungary share the same or very similar views regarding the present and the future of the EU, especially as far as the economic and financial issues are concerned. Thus, both countries have an open, export-oriented economy, and both have a vested interest in offering the best possible business environment, including, among others, low corporate tax. Since the early 1990s a number of Irish entrepreneuers have taken advantage of the economic and trade liberalization in Hungary. On the other hand, Ireland was one of the few countries in 2004 that applied the principles of the ”four freedoms” (the free movement of goods, services, capital and labour) of the EU vis-á-vis the new members and thus offered a lot of business opportunities to Hungarians as well.

The parallels between the two countries were, unfortunately, valid when both were hit hard by the economic crisis in 2008. The consequence was, inevitably, a certain decline in the economic opportunities Dublin and Budapest were able to offer to each other. Nevertheless, it seems that the two countries have been over the worst period and, barring any downturn in the wider economic environment (primarily in the EU but in a broader sense the world economy), business prospects are improving for the Irish and the Hungarians alike.

As the Honorary President of the Irish Hungarian Business Association I would like to encourage both the Irish and the Hungarian companies and individuals to explore what the other country may offer in terms of investments, joint ventures, as well as exports and imports. The IHBA and the Hungarian Embassy in Dublin will be more than happy to provide any information and assistance to facilitate the strengthening of the business relations between Ireland and Hungary.

Dr. Tamás Magyarics

Ambassador of the Republic of Hungary

IHBA Membership

Whether from a large multi-national corporation, or a newly established business, IHBA members are decision-makers in their organisations.

Membership in IHBA provides you with high level contact in a wide variety of businesses and firms in Hungary and Ireland.

IHBA membership facilitates business relationships by providing frequent opportunities for members and their guests or clients to meet one another at IHBA events.If you're not yet a Member, now is the time to seriously consider joining the Irish Hungarian Business Association.

The Association was established with the following objectives:

Promote two way investment, trade, commerce and tourism between Hungary and the Republic of Ireland

Enable business people and companies to share their experience to mutual advantage.

Members gather at regular networking events and seminars, and work to develop ties with businesses in Hungary. To realise the Association's objectives and goals as well as to continue in its evolving growth, it needs people like you, people who want to create a difference, people who want to make a difference to Irish-Hungarian business and cultural interests. Click Here to contact us regarding membership.