Plans are underway for two significant trade missions aimed at facilitating business development opportunities for Georgia companies in Central Europe this fall.
John Parkerson, an Atlanta attorney and honorary consul for Hungary in Georgia, together with John Woodward, his Slovak counterpart, will embark on a trade mission covering Hungary and Slovakia from September 13 to 20.
This initiative, branded as Central Europe Connect, will include visits to four cities, featuring the capitals, Budapest and Bratislava, as well as the secondary cities of Debrecen and Košice.
Debrecen, recognized for its automotive and aerospace sectors, and Košice, which is emerging as a center for IT and engineering innovation, will serve as vital locations for potential business engagements.
The mission will provide participants with opportunities for direct meetings with companies specializing in food technology, advanced manufacturing, medtech, and space, among others.
Additionally, participants are set to engage with government officials and leaders from innovative clusters, with a key highlight being attendance at the Slovakia Tech Forum & Expo in Košice.
Mr. Parkerson has been representing Hungary in Georgia for nearly two decades, fostering trade relations by assisting Hungarian companies in establishing their presence in Georgia.
Meanwhile, Mr. Woodward outlined the groundwork for the mission during his June visit to Slovak cities, where he conferred with other honorary consuls from around the globe.
In October, after the successful Hungary-Slovakia mission, Czech Republic Honorary Consul Monika Vintrlikova will spearhead a delegation of Georgia businesses to the Czech Republic. This trip coincides with one of Central Europe’s largest trade fairs, the MSV Industrial Engineering Fair in Brno.
The MSV Fair, attracting around 1,500 exhibitors and 55,000 attendees from over 40 countries annually, presents a valuable opportunity for Georgia companies to expand their networks.
Brno, the second-largest city in the Czech Republic, has been actively cultivating relationships with Georgia since Ms. Vintrlikova was appointed honorary consul five years ago.
During a recent similar endeavor in 2024, her efforts led to significant ties between the City of Roswell and PBS Aerospace, a Czech manufacturer that committed to a $20 million investment in the north-metro area and is poised to ramp up operations for missile and drone engine production.
This year, Ms. Vintrlikova is collaborating with trade fair organizers, the Brno Regional Chamber of Commerce, and various stakeholders to ensure that Georgia’s presence at the MSV Fair is impactful. A dedicated booth for Georgia companies will be established, along with a schedule for individual meetings with prominent Czech firms and government officials.
Jan Kubata, the general director at BVV Trade Fairs Brno, commended Ms. Vintrlikova’s efforts in strengthening ties between the Czech Republic and the U.S. during a recent interview. He highlighted the importance of bringing fresh agendas to trade shows, enhancing the value proposition for companies and visitors alike.
U.S. companies, historically underrepresented at the MSV Fair, are being encouraged to attend and make business deals. Kubata has pitched the fair as a vital link to Central Europe, emphasizing the attendance of B2B decision-makers from the region and beyond.
With targeted industries spanning digitization, robotics, cybersecurity, 3D technologies, energy, advanced manufacturing, and transportation, the fair serves as a significant platform for fostering collaboration.
Exuding an optimistic outlook, Kubata expressed his desire for increased American representation at the fair, aiming to surpass even the numbers of participating Chinese companies.
Brno itself is characterized as an innovation hub, enriched by a youthful population of around 50,000 college students amidst its half-million inhabitants, making it an attractive site for foreign investors and new ideas.
The honorary consulate of the Czech Republic is collaborating with The Shared World, a consultancy led by former City of Atlanta International Affairs Director Vanessa Ibarra, to attract businesses interested in participating in the mission to the Czech Republic.
Companies interested in joining either of these missions can reach out to Melinda Setenyi for more information.
These initiatives not only promise to bolster economic ties between Georgia and Central Europe but also set the stage for fruitful collaborations in various sectors, highlighting the importance of international trade relations for regional development.
image source from：globalatlanta
