FROM THE EDITOR
Dear <<First Name>> <<Last Name>>,
How did the state healthcare system cope with the COVID-19 epidemic? How have private clinics adapted and changed the way they operate? How are Hungarian scientists helping to drive forward the repurposing of drugs and the search for a vaccine with which to treat and defeat the coronavirus? All are important questions, and in the week the state of emergency was officially lifted, they are covered in the Healthcare Special Report inside this week’s issue of the Budapest Business Journal.
There is, of course, much else to read. Our cover story is a rare and exclusive interview with the Czech CEO of Telenor Hungary, Jan Hanus, who talks us through the telecom’s coronavirus experience, and how he believes companies such as his can “do something revolutionary” in driving through sustainable, digital change.
There is much data to chew over in trying to discern what shape the recovery might take. Macroscope looks at some eye wateringly poor industrial output figures, but some perhaps surprisingly upbeat predictions for Hungary from London-based analysts. Not everyone is convinced, however; we also detail in our Business section the OECD’s two scenarios for the country, which predict an 8-10% hit to the economy this year, depending on whether the dreaded second wave of the pandemic hits us.
Our Socialite writer, David Holzer, talks to a group of restauranteurs who have taken the injunction to “be kind to one another” to heart. Even as the emergency response to the virus shut down their businesses, they started cooking meals for front line healthcare workers. Now the “Feed the Doctors” movement has become a non-profit dedicated to using donated foodstuffs to feed those left most in need.
Our wine columnist, Rob Smyth, is determined to prove that small really can be beautiful on the latest halt in his virtual wine tour. This issue finds him in Somló, the smallest region in the country, but the producer of some of its biggest white wines. They also travel quite some distance. Somló’s specialty grape is Juhfark, a wine apparently much enjoyed by the Britain’s Queen Victoria, he tells us.
The emergency is over (for now, at least); the recovery is underway. There are stories aplenty out there. Do let us know what your business is up to, how you are adapting to the new normal, and we will do our best to feature them, online or in print: drop me an email with the details (in English) on robin.marshall@bbj.hu
You can find the digital version of the Budapest Business Journal by following the link with this letter, or you can head off to our website (bbj.hu). Stay safe.
Robin Marshall
Editor-in-chief
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