Amerikai Magyar Szó, 1992. január-június (46. évfolyam, 1-26. szám)
1992-06-04 / 23. szám
6. AMERIKAI MAGYAR SZÓ Thursday, June 4. 1992. New Brunswick beacon of hope to hurting Hungary Hungary's leaders are looking to New Jersey - and New Brunswick in particular - for some of the cash and business ventures needed to prop up their country's post-Communist economy. Two-year-old link New Jersey is getting involved in the economic plight of an Eastern European country because of a two-year-old Sister Cities relationship between New Brunswick and Debrecen, Hungary's third largest city. Fostered by New Brunswick's Hungarian community, the Sister Cities relationship has led to the scheduling of a June 4 symposium at Rutgers University's Douglass College campus designed to explore potential business ties between New Jersey and Hungary. "The catalyst is New Brunswick and Debrecen, but the overall focus is on New Jersey and Hungary"- said Jane Tublin, the City's Sister Cities director. Tibor Nemes, commercial counselor for the Hungarian Consulate in New York, told local government and business officials that his office is trying to act as a "matchmaker" for New Jersey and Hungarian business people. No quick fix In an interview afterward Nemes said Hungarian officials are not looking for quick fixes, and that building up the Hungarian economy is going to be a slow, laborious process. Progress, he said, will take place only when people in and out of the country have confidence in the economy.To attract foreign investment, the Hungarian government is offering qualified investors generous tax breaks - up to 100 percent for manufacturing industries. The country also feels its workers are well-educated, yet cheap when compared to those of more- developed countries. "Hungarian labor is professional, well- educated and inexpensive", he said. The June 4 symposium at Douglass is a tie-in with the city's annual Hungarian Festival on June 6th. Gov, Laufenberg backing Supportive letters from Gov. Jim Florio and U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D.NJ) were read at the ceremony and A. Philip Ferzan, director of the state Division of International Trade, a guest at the ceremony, said his office would be involved in fostering Hungarian-New Jersey business ties. Tublin said the idea came out of a four- day trip she took to Debrecen in September as part of the International Sister Cities program, which was founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower 36 years ago. "Economic development is an important issue to New Brunswick and is an important issue to them"- she said. "We decided then we would seek to develop a program." August Molnár, president of the HungariDeen In the heart ct Dun ne a city: tit if fw: No other city in the world can be compared to it. Situated on both banks of Europe's most majestic river, the Danube, a magic mountain, the Gellert stands guard over it. In the river a diadem of matchless beauty: an enerald paradise, Margaret Island. Budapest is a city of effervescence, a hub of manifold cultural and business activities. It boasts of one of Europe's finest operahouse , a multitude of museums, fine theatres, magnificent, modern hotels. In the general turmoil in Eastern Europe accompanying the transition to market economy, Hungary is an island of peace and serenity. It is Budapest where the visitor today can be "present at the creation" amidst vibrant business and social activities. That is why we can say: "You haven't really lived until you saw Budapest!" HUNGARY TRADE FAIR NEW BRUNSWICK BOLSTERS SISTER-CITY TIES Debrecen, a plains area in the northeastern region of Hungary, is the country's third largest city with a population of about 120.000. It is home to Louis Kossuth University, named in honor of the same man after whom Kossuth Park in New Brunswick was named. The Eastern bloc nation is in dire need of investment capital and research and development assistance as it struggles to establish a free-market economy. Private enterprise there has grown from about 15.000 companies in 1989 to about 50.000 this year. Despite the problems of rampant inflation, which climed to a rate of about 36 percent last year, the Hungarian currency (the forint) is easily converted and incentives have been established for encouraging foreign investment. an Heritage Center and one of the officials who fostered the Sister Cities relationship, said the symposium is designed to be the kickoff to an annual series of Hungary-New Jersey trade fairs. Because of the ’ predominance of agriculture and food packaging as the main industry in Hungary, foreign investment is being sought to boost manufacturing. Foreign investors who back manufacturing endeavors may qualify for tax deductions of between 60 percent and 100 percent over the next year. Hungarian officials also are hoping foreign capital can be used to give a shot in the arm to the banking, high-technology, telecommunications and automobile industries. What's in store for shoppers in Budapest? Look for high-quality and inexpensive art. Herend and Zsolnay porcelain, embroideries, peasant blouses, dolls in regional costumes. Most museums have free admission on Saturdays. Contact Hungarian Tourist Board, One Parker Plaza, Fort Lee, N J 07024, (201) 592-8585.
