MNKH: thinking at a regional level

The Hungarian National Trading House (MNKH) has realised that there is great economic potential in regional level cross-border cooperation in the Carpathian Basin. Our magazine asked CEO Zsanett Oláh about cooperation opportunities and programmes with Hungarian enterprises located outside of Hungary.

T. M.: – Hungarian enterprises in neighbouring countries are a priority issue for the Hungarian National Trading House. By now MNKH established a network of 22 regional offices and made available its services portfolio. What is your goal with these steps?

Zsanett Oláh
CEO
MNKH

It is important to note that the neighbouring countries are the main target markets of Hungarian enterprises, and among our top 10 export partners we find Romania, Austria, Slovakia and Poland. Treating the region as a single economic area creates many opportunities. By joining our forces we can serve third markets with products in larger quantities, which makes market entry easier – countries in the region are sometimes unable to produce enough for large export markets on their own. We also pay special attention to establishing production cooperations and collective product bases. By doing so we strengthen not only business in Hungary, but also the positions of Hungarian enterprises located in neighbouring countries.

T. M.: – Do your run programmes which specifically target Hungarian enterprises located on the other side of the border?

Already 250 Hungarian managers have profited from our training courses in Szabadka, Csíkszereda, Makkosjánosi, Gyergyószentmiklós and Eszék, learning about EU regulations and successful market entry strategies. At the Carpathian Basin Economic Forum in Hajdúszoboszló, held in 2017, 200 exhibitors and 400 professional visitors were present. The main goal was to establish partnership relations between Hungarian enterprises in the Carpathian Basin. This year we will repeat the event on 12-13 March in Budapest’s Várkert Bazár.

T. M.: – What are your goals for 2018?

Our main objective is to popularise the e-learning programme that we launched in 2017 among Hungarian businesses outside of Hungary. By using this opportunity they can get instant access to MNKH’s Export Academy knowledge, no matter where they are. We are also inviting enterprises from other regions to the programmes organised by our 22 regional offices. //