Irish Hungarian Business Association

IHBA Formation The formation and economic emphasis of the IHBA was promoted by George Eaton, Hungary's Irish Honorary Consul and its establishment coincided with the appointment of Dr GĂŠza Kollar Hungarys first Trade Counsellor to Ireland. The Association enjoyed support from the earliest days from the Irish Trade Board and this continues to the present through its successor Enterprise Ireland. There has been close connection with the Hungarian Embassy in Ireland since it opened in 1991 with the Ambassador as Honorary President of the IHBA. Hungarian EU Membership From the earliest days the IHBA actively promoted Hungary's admission to full membership of the EU. In the mid 1990's Mary Kelly, a post graduate student of Trinity College, was engaged to make a study on "The Implications for Ireland of Hungary's Integration into Europe" This study effectively became a significant work of reference in the debate on EU enlargement. Hungary became a member of the European Union on the 1st May 2004. The membership has had significant positive effects on the Hungarian economy, and provides important competitive advantages for companies in the country. Annual Awards Annually the IHBA presents a prestigious Award to the company or individual "who is judged to have made significant contribution to Irish Hungarian economic relations". Recipients have included Avonmore, one of the early entrants into the Hungarian dairy industry, Navan Resources, Galway Chamber of Commerce, Grafton Recruitment, ICC Bank, retired Irish Ambassador Jim Flavin and in 2004, CP3, the Irish software company. Even the Irish pub Becketts was recognised in 1993 when Irish expatriates made it their unofficial Irish Chamber of Commerce.