PwC Organizing Business Summit in Debrecen

The "Business Forum 2024" event is being organized with the aim of creating a tradition, PwC tells the Budapest Business Journal. Each spring, it will focus on current business issues and will bring together executives, owners, and invited speakers from domestic and international companies operating in the region. The event offers a unique opportunity for business people to learn from each other and build synergies.  

The afternoon workshops will be organized in cooperation with the German-Hungarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DUIHK), the American-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), and the Hajdú-Bihar County Chapter of the National Association of Entrepreneurs and Employers (VOSZ). 

At a joint press event held on March 19 by the Municipality of Debrecen and PwC Hungary, László Papp, Mayor of Debrecen, spoke about the new approach launched by the City of Debrecen in 2015, which is based on the implementation of a structured industrial and economic development strategy and comprehensive investment promotion activities.

The development of the region's largest industrial park and the creation of an industrial park infrastructure in the city is underway. PwC joined this dynamically developing ecosystem at the end of last year and has already organized a number of business events in Debrecen since opening its offices, attracting both domestic and international medium and large companies. 

"Debrecen has grown into a global player and is looking forward to a perspective growth. It is therefore very important to evaluate the past 10 years, to find answers not only to the progress but also to the challenges and to highlight those who have been important players in the economic development of the region. I hope that in the future this forum will be a meeting that will keep us up to date in business and economic life", stressed  Papp. 

"The conference itself is a major focus of attention for the region from a global player and this summit, which has been launched as a tradition, will put its name on the table of local economic players for the first time. It will be a meeting point for local and regional economic actors, as well as for the heads of multinational companies based in and around Debrecen, and will enable us to model, look at and better understand processes both locally and globally," he added.

Tamás Lőcsei, CEO of PwC Hungary, said, "Since November 14, when PwC arrived in Debrecen, we have had several important local events and to top this, as the mayor mentioned, we want to bring the best of the region's business scene to the city every spring so that business people can learn from each other, whether they are international or local. It is important to help existing and newcomers to prepare for the ever-changing environment, based on the principles of trust and quality. Our presence will foster dialogue between business and education, promote the role of women in business and contribute to the empowerment of disadvantaged groups."

In outlining the business and economic potential of the region, the CEO referred to PwC's 13th Hungarian CEO Survey, in which 31 CEOs from Eastern Hungary (10% of respondents) participated. The results of the survey for the region will be presented at the April event.

At the press conference, Tamás Lőcsei also announced two awards for the region - "Business Life Excellence Award 2024" and "Company of the Future Excellence Award 2024" - which will be presented at the Business Forum.

"I think that Debrecen's economy is growing, changing and becoming a key player in the country's economy to such an extent that these awards are particularly needed, especially in such a changing economic environment," the Mayor of Debrecen said, reflecting on the announcement of the awards.