Amerikai Magyar Szó, 1989. január-június (43. évfolyam, 1-26. szám)
1989-02-02 / 5. szám
Thursday, Feb. 2. 1989. AMERIKAI MAGYAR SZO Increasing Trade between Hungary and USA The US lies fourth or fifth among Hungary's western trading partners, and the turnover has been mounting over the past few years— it was $ 560 million in 1987. For the last 13 years, a group of Hungarian and American businessmen have been busy encouraging Hunorarian-American economic ties and cooperation, and seeing that trade gets the boost is deserves. Working under the auspices of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce, they are known as the US-Hun- garian Business Council. We asked f co-chairman Dr LÁSZLÓ RANKY, managing director of foreign traders A Terimpex, more about the Council. xTr "The Business Council provides a framework for Hungarian • US trade, giving businessmen information of direct concern in business life, assisting Hungarian companies to make a mark in America and vice versa. One of our latest activities is to invite American specialists over, with the help of the Soros Foundation (endowed by a US millionaire financier of Hungarian extracion.) "How would you rate the trade the two countries are doing at present?" "From the viewpoint of commercial policy, we can regard the 1978 trade agreement, which ensured mostfavored-nation treatment for Hungary as an advantage to both sides. It also indicated that there are no unsettled differences between Hungary and the United States with regard to commercial policy. However, certain difficulties may arise. For example, it would be more practical if Hungary were granted most-favored-nation status for a longer term, instead of the agreement being renewed every year. Moreover, some of our imports are impeded by the American system of granting export permits. We trust that in future the export laws will be applied more flexibly in the US, and that the protectionist elements in the new American trade legislation will ease. "Despite all this, the Hungarian-US trade turnover has increased continuously. Last year Hungarian exports to the US were 30 96 higher than in 1986, amounting to more than $ 300 million. Imports increased somewhat more slowly to $ 255 million." "Can one see any specific commodity structure in Hungarian-US trade?" "Yes, about two-thirds of the Hungarian exports are from ten large industries, which in some cases means a particular large company. Engineering leads with exports of $ 50 million, followed by the ready-made garment industry with $ 47 million and the meat processing industry with $ 40 million. The most important imports are instruments, electronic products, chemicals, soya and chemical industry machinery. It's an . interesting feature of Hungarian- US trade turnover that we primarily supply processed products, whereas we mainly import raw materials and semi-finished goods. 1 must admit, though, we'd be pleased to buy more machinery and equipment if it weren't for the Cocom export restrictions." "Recently, Hungary has been encouraging foreign companies to set up joint ventures. How far has US capital become involved?" "At present there are five purely Hungarian and three joint ventures operating in the US. Hungarotex, Monimpex, Taurus, Medicor and Tungsram have their own companies there. Several American companies have set up joint ventures in Hungary, but the difficulty is that these are not primarily production companies. I believe that until we can make a basic advance on questions of investment promotion and protection, US capital will remain cautious about Hungary." "So how do you see the future?" "Experience shows that American consumers like to shop, and that they're willing to spend money, but only on goods of excellent quality. The company I run, Terimpex, which sold goods worth $ 40 million on the US market last year, aims to introduce new products there. We intend to promote foil-packed hams, salamis, and pizza sausage. Negotiations are also underway on joint sausage production in US. I know that Hungarotex aims to increase its exports of ready-made garments and home textiles, and at the same time it is looking for partners for long-term cooperation. Tricotex is concentrating on the sales of leisure wear. "I would add that although the Business Council has assisted about 200 Hungarian companies in their activities on the US market, more attention has to be paid in future to small and medium sized companies." j György Faludy Something special from Hungary in tax-free stores abroad MALÉV has a new business activity in mind. Up to now those ubiquitous tax-ffee stores in airports and other places around the world have hardly stocked any Hungarian food or drink specialities. If they were stocked there, they would be cheaper, because of the tax break. And since dutyfree stores are outside national customs areas, the various trade quotas and agreements don't apply. The plan is to supply both tax-free stores for passengers and crew shops and airport catering services with Hungarian food and drink. Another target: diplomatic stores, which also enjoy tax-free status. The airline's busy setting up the new business at present, but the first deal's already been landed: PanAm, through MALÉV, has bought some Hungarian ingredients for its in-flight catering. : THE LAST PRAYER OF MICHELANGELO ■■er •‘i Your anvil is the earth and standing on the sky your arm's sweeping gesture is like the sun's immense round. * My Lord, working for seventysix years stood I ' here on top of the scaffold, but you I haven't found. Under my chiselto dust fell the marble's vain glow, in my fist a torso or an idol alone remained. I coud not behold you, elusive rainbow, though your glory shone under every unhewn stone. Torn in a thousand thorny thickets I turned into a rough, worn, voiceless boulder, but earned a light from heaven in my soul's single eye. How could I free that shimmer from my body's jail? Hit me hard, if you still can love this old, frail sinner, Godsculptor! For the marble am I. Translated by Maxim Tabory 1 "*■ 11.
