ness in Hungary. It is these types of
relationships and goals that we work
to establish.
of the different phases that you have
to go through in order to get permits
and get facilities up and operational.
Katia: What are some big picture
issues facing Hungary today?
Katia: How is the Hungarian
business community uniquely
positioning itself to help Americans
Mr. Aronoff: The biggest issue who are interested in doing business
facing Hungry today is unwanted in Hungary?
immigration. Recently, the Prime
Minister called for a referendum to
vote on whether or not the people
of Hungary want to let in all of the
refugees that the European Union is
telling them that they have to let in.
The European Union is apportioning amongst all E.U. member countries a certain quota of refugees from
the Middle East. Hungary is resisting
letting them in en masse. The Prime
Minister has received a tremendous
amount of criticism for keeping the
refugees out and building fences. At
one point I was getting e-mails from
people saying, “Shame on Hungary.
How can you do this, and not let
these people in!” I responded with
Hungary’s position and said, “Why
are you mad at us? Be mad at Assad
— he is the one who’s destroying
lives, we’re not.”
vate, and funded by payments from
the member organizations.
Katia: Is there anything we have
not talked about that you would like
to discuss?
Mr. Aronoff: I would like to share
some history of Hungary. A lot of
territory after WWI was taken away
Mr. Aronoff: It is mostly the gov- from Hungary. At the beginning of
ernment that is facilitating these ef- WWII, Hitler came in and promised
forts. In the business community, that he will give Hungary back the
there is an American-Hungarian land it lost in WWI, and therefore
the country joined on the side of the
Axis. Thank God they lost the war.
Hungary, like many other countries,
suffered under the hammer of communism for the next 45 years.
“I am not a diplomat,
I am a granite salesman”
One of the things I am trying to do
this year, as it is the 60th anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution of
1956, is to create events to commemorate the Revolution and remember
those who lost their lives fighting for
freedom from communism. It was
the first time that the people living
under communism stood up and
said, “Wait a minute, communism is
evil; we have no freedom; our lives
are horrible.” Before that, the world’s
Katia: Hungary is currently trying
media was out there propagandizing
what a wonderful, benevolent leader
to build foreign investment and job
opportunities inside the country. Tell Chamber of Commerce and they are Joseph Stalin was and how everyvery involved, very active. It is made body was so happy and equal, while 6
us about them and any offered
up of Hungarian companies that do million people are dying from starvaincentives if any.
business with the United States, and tion in Ukraine. 45 years later, when
Mr. Aronoff: They have a lot, for mostly with American companies George Bush was President and Jim
Baker was Secretary of State, comexample the new tax abatements. doing business in Hungary. It is very
munism was defeated and nobody
effective
and
important.
Hungary’s income tax rate, corporate
died; it was handled so beautifully.
income tax rate, and personal income
The commemoration will express
tax rates are some of the lowest in The Foreign Minister, the Finance
the appreciation to George Bush and
the European Union. We are talking Minister, and the Commerce MinJim Baker for leading a truly blood16% personal income tax. The gov- ister were here. People from the
less revolution which freed Hungary
ernment has hired people who will American-Hungarian Chamber of
and the rest of Eastern Europe from
work with anyone serious about do- Commerce accompanied them on
communism.
ing business in Hungary. They have the trip aimed at developing business.
people who will walk you through all The Chamber is very responsive, pri-
42 iF Magazine | August 2016