At its late afternoon meeting on September 17, the Council of Regional Presidents (TEK), composed of the presidents of regional chambers, discussed the situation that has developed around the chamber system. A majority of the regional chamber presidents were present and unanimously expressed their confidence in Elek Nagy alongside the leadership of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI/MKIK). They called on the president to lead the chamber during the upcoming period and to manage the current situation. The body heard from Dr. Hajnalka Csorbai, prospective new board member of MKIK Capital Fund Management Plc. and candidate for chair of the HCCI Economic Development Committee, as well as Attila Krocsek, fintech expert and CEO of the BlockBen group of companies, whom TEK recommends for the post of HCCI Vice President of Finance.
The HCCI considers it natural that differing viewpoints, professional approaches, and management visions emerge within a democratically operating public body. Debate has always been part of the chamber system's operation and was regularly present at TEK meetings.
The letter initiating the resignation of the HCCI president and executive leadership was signed by five out of the 23 regional chamber presidents. Divergent views within the chamber community are not new: during the 2024 elections, markedly different visions for the chamber's future were presented. At that time, delegates overwhelmingly supported Elek Nagy's renewal program. It is unfortunate that the "open letter" was written precisely by regional presidents, most of whom were beneficiaries of the previous system (serving as general vice president or vice presidents) and who voted against renewal back then as well.
Since the beginning of Elek Nagy's presidency, the HCCI's goal has been to build a more entrepreneur-centric, service-oriented, transparent, and cost-effective chamber system. As part of this process, preparation began for new initiatives intended for roll-out across the entire chamber network, including the HCCI AI Hackathon, the HCCI's new podcast channel, and the HCCI Startup Lab. Cost-efficiency is a fundamental priority: for example, total organizational and event costs for the 60-participant AI Hackathon amounted to 1.2 million HUF.
The operation and strength of the chamber network are demonstrated by the fact that this week alone, the system delivered valuable business insights across 40 events in 23 cities, contributing to company competitiveness under the government's business development program.
A significant portion of the chamber's work remains less visible to the public. The HCCI gathers and conveys insights from micro-enterprises to large corporations, participates in professional reviews of tax and sectoral regulations, and channels business challenges and proposals into economic policy and legislative consultations.
Changes announced by the government regarding the chamber system create a new situation. The HCCI acknowledges the decision concerning the mandatory 5,000 HUF chamber contribution—having advocated for its reform itself—as well as the introduction of project-based funding. Once specific legislative amendments are made public, the Chamber will evaluate their organizational and operational consequences in detail. As the framework for the HCCI and regional chambers is defined by law, operations in the coming period will adapt to the resulting legal provisions.
Elek Nagy has made it clear on multiple occasions that his presidential tenure was tied to launching the Chamber's renewal. His goal is to build an organization that supports Hungarian businesses more directly and effectively while taking a stronger role in economic coordination. The president has committed to leading the HCCI during this transitional period until legislative amendments affecting chamber operations take effect and any resulting elections occur, ensuring that the achievements of initiated changes are preserved and carried forward.
Next steps for chamber renewal were also on the agenda at the TEK meeting. The body heard from Dr. Hajnalka Csorbai, Strategic and Operational Director at OPTEN, delegated by Elek Nagy to the board of MKIK Capital Fund Management Plc. as presidential nominee and slated to serve as Chair of the HCCI Economic Development Committee. Her work will emphasize data-driven decision-making and a precise, data-backed understanding of Hungarian enterprises' conditions.
Attila Krocsek, fintech expert and CEO of the BlockBen group, was also introduced. The Hungarian-owned enterprise operates in the European digital financial market and develops services in a regulated environment as a MiCA-licensed provider. TEK recommends Attila Krocsek for the post of HCCI Vice President of Finance.
The HCCI leadership considers its primary duty in the coming period to be maintaining the chamber system's operational continuity, representing business interests, and carrying forward initiated professional programs.
