Jake Boyer, Chair, SL Chamber Board, Zsuzsa Mihalyi, wife of Ambassador Szombati, Ambassador Bela Szombati, Lew Cramer, President/CEO World Trade Center Utah
On March 19, the Utah business community hosted a luncheon with His Excellency Béla Szombati, Ambassador of Hungary to the United States. Trade collaboration between Utah and Hungary has been growing steadily over the years. For example, in 2009 Utah exports to Hungary increased by 66% compared to 2007. The most essential export categories include Computers, Electronic Products and Chemical Manufactures.
In his brief presentation the Ambassador reflected upon challenges that his country, along with the rest of the world is facing as a result of lingering economic turmoil. He also shared with the business community political and economic initiatives introduced by the government of Hungary to help stimulate further progress. Responding to a comment about the high quality of the Hungarian educational system, the Ambassador pointed out that while Hungarian education is academic focused, American education encourages both: academic knowledge and its application – in this respect, the two countries can benefit from each others’ experience. Recently, Utah universities have been developing relationships with their counterparts in Hungary. For example, Westminster College has signed an MOU with the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, while the University of Utah is developing a student/faculty exchange program with colleges in Hungary.
Ambassador Szombati previously served as head of the Strategic Planning and Information Management Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2006-09) as well as Hungary’s ambassador to the United Kingdom (2002-06) and to France (1994-99)
Hungary Quick Facts:
Area – 35,919 sq mi
Population - 2009 July estimate: 10,020,000
GDP (PPP) 2009 estimate
– Total $186.054 billion
– Per capita $18,548
GDP (nominal) 2009 estimate
– Total $124.241 billion.
– Per capita $12,386
