Hungary the approximation of Hungary's standards in waste management, energy efficiency, and air, soil, and water pollution with environmental requirements for EU accession will require large investments

PRIVATE "TYPE=PICT;ALT="

Chapter 3: Hungary

(continued)

3.4 Project Opportunities

Major Environmental Problems

Table 3.7 presents the major environmental issues survey respondents currently face or expect to face in the coming years. Interestingly, only a few interviewees indicated a specific location, and were able to estimate the expected duration of the problems. The former may have been caused by an unwillingness to reveal potential areas where respondents were planning to start activities. The latter suggests that the environmental strategy of the government, (e.g. allocation of financial resources, regulations, action plans, etc.) is not transparent and does not clearly show the urgency and level of priorities. This comment was especially common among R&D sector respondents - business interviewees seemed to have a better knowledge of government priorities and the most urgent problems needing to be solved.

PRIVATETABLE 3.7: MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN HUNGARY

CategoryProblem Description and Expected DurationGeographic Extent

AirHigh emissions from obsolete industrial technologies, 10-20 yearsnational

SO2 emissions from coal power plants, 10 yearsindustrial areas, North-East Hungary, Middle Transdanubia

Emissions of solid particles from surface-miningBorsod and Heves counties

Dust and particulate emissions from cement plantsDorog, Beremend

Lack of or obsolete technologies for hospital waste incinerators, 30 yearsnational

High emissions of SO2, NOx and volatile organic compounds in the energy sector and chemical industry, 10-20 yearsindustrial areas

Air pollution from transportation: soot, lead, aromatic hydrocarbonsnational, but mainly Budapest and other major cities

Lack of and/or low quality road system, improper cleaning and maintenance, dust pollution, 30 yearsnational, major cities

Insufficient legal framework, poor enforcement, 5 yearsnational

High number of concentrated pollution sourcesnational

Lack of treatment processes for agricultural NH3national

Surface and Ground WaterQuality monitoring system only partially available, 5-10 yearsnational

Eutrophication in shallow lakesTransdanubia

Infiltration of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, as a consequence of careless, unprofessional treatmentnational

Hazardous waste dumps, 10-20 yearsnational, partly unexplored

Lack of modern abatement technologies to treat organic solvent pollutionnational, southeast Hungary

Deep-level mines lowering the groundwater levelBorsod country

Oil pipeline system polluting soil and groundwaternational

Unexplored pollution caused by organic toxic materialsindustrial areas

Potable WaterHigh content of Nitrates (sometimes NH4, Fe, Mn, methane) in potable waterdiffers by region

Unavailable mapping of the vulnerable water reserves, 10 yearsnational, northern karst water reserve

High arsenic content of drinking watersouth Hungary

Lack of up-to-date water treatment technologiesnational

Poor system maintenance; high proportion of water losses in the distribution networknational

Municipal WastewaterLack of proper sewerage systems and wastewater treatment plants, 20 years, (government program coordinated by the Ministry of Transportation, Communication and Water, KHVM)national, especially Budapest and major cities

Pollution of sink-holes in private households, 20 yearsnational

Shortage of available land to dispose of wastewater sludgenational

Underutilization of wastewater treatment plants built in the last 5-10 yearsnational

Illegal dumping of wastewaternational

Industrial WastewaterObsolete treatment technologiesnational

Pollution of groundwater or other recipient bodies by industrial wastewater dischargesnational

Insufficient treatment of industrial (chemical industry) and municipal wastewater (partial sewage system), pollution of water resourcesnational

High organic content of industrial wastewater discharge (directed to the sewage plant)national

Lack of a proper solution for the disposal of organic waste and diluted manure in agriculture (potential pollution for water resources)national

Lack of proper solution to dispose of sewage sludge (industrial, municipal)national

WasteLack of waste disposal act, inconsistent practice of inspectorates, 1-5 yearsnational

Cleaning up of municipal and hazardous waste dumps, 20-30 years (government program to abate the 15 most critical hazardous waste dumps)national

Lack of environmentally acceptable landfills for municipal solid waste, 20-30 yearsnational

Lack of hazardous waste incinerators, 5-10 yearsnational

Illegal or improper dumping of municipal solid waste and hazardous wastenational

Cleaning up temporary hazardous waste landfills, 10 yearsnorth Hungary, south Transdanubia

Disposal of tires, car batteries, spent oil, 5-10 yearsnational

Lack of selective waste collection systems, 5 yearsnational

Undeveloped waste recycling industry, 1-3 years (large subsidies available from product fees to establish nationwide recycling system)national

Little support from government to the environmental industry (Central Environmental Protection Fund preferences for infrastructure and end-of-pipe solutions), 1-5 yearsnational

Lack of correct records on waste stream both for businesses and authorities, 1-3 yearsnational

EnergyExcessive energy consumption in industry and population, 10-20 yearsnational

Lack of national concept to incinerate agricultural by-products for energy productionnational

Low level use of renewable energy sources, 20-50 yearsnational

High SO2 emissions from burning coal, lignite, 10-20 yearsnational

Bad construction of houses and flats from a heating point of view, over 50 yearsnational

Organizational and financing problems of apartment block reconstructionnational

Obsolete vehicles, low technical level, 10-20 yearsnational

Waste rock areas polluting soil, groundwater and airmining areas

Unelaborated energy plans for transportation, industrial productionnational

Noise and Vibration, Occupational Health and SafetyDeficiencies in urban development policy: residential areas are established in the neighborhood of industrial sitesmajor cities

Excessive noise from transportation, 20-30 yearsmajor cities

Lack of local noise protection plans (local governments), 1-3 yearsnational

Lack of frequent employee health checks, 5 yearsnational

Lack of emergency response plans (modeling of potential sources of danger, on-going training of employees), 5 yearsnational

Significant Environmental Projects in Progress

Respondents from the business sector were not willing to reveal their on-going environmental projects, except for those coordinated by the government and which are therefore well publicized. Listed below are the most important projects in progress coordinated by various state bodies acronyms are explained at the beginning of this report).

Water

Sewage water treatment program in Budapest and major cities;

Sewerage and sewage water treatment program to reduce the gap between water supply and access to sewage network (Government Program 20-21/1994, Resources: KKA, KHVM);

Improving the quality of Lake Balaton and Lake Velence (including dredging) and setting up a water quality monitoring system.

Air

Harmonization of Hungarian laws on air pollution with EU legislation (monitoring of air quality, setting emission limits for emissions by power plants, etc.)

Other

Varpalota region industrial sub-program for remediation of past environmental damages;

Asbestos program (a national asbestos register is to be established);

Pollution abatement program (action program to identify and address 10-20 local environmental pollution problems most detrimental to human health);

Development of Hungarian environmental industry to improve international competitiveness (government program will be suggested by IKIM, KTM and the Environmental Committee of the Parliament);

Promotion of environmental management systems (informal joint project of IKIM, OMFB, KTM).

For detailed information on current wastewater programs, please contact Mr. Istvan Sindel, Secretary at the Ministry of Environment, Main Department "Protection of Natural Elements"/"Water Protection" Department, Tel: (36-1) 201-2137.

For more information on air-related projects, contact Mr. Istvan Csoknyai, Head of the Ministry of Environment Department of Protection of Natural Elements/Air Protection and Noise Control, Tel: (36-1) 201-4019.

For more details on the Varpalota region industrial subprogram, the asbestos program, and the pollution abatement program, contact Mr. Lajos Csorba Nebb, Secretary at the Ministry of Environment Department of Environmental Development and Safety/Environmental Development, Tel: (36-1) 201-5180.

For more information on the Hungarian environmental industry development project, contact Mr. Erno Wittek; for details on the environmental management system (EMS) promotion contact Mr. Istvan Danyi, at IKIM (Ministry for Industry, Trade and Tourism), Department of Technological Policy, Tel: (36-1) 118-5180.

Additionally, a number of bilateral and multilateral projects are coordinated by the Ministry of Environment's European and International Integration Department. The major projects currently in progress are listed in Table 3.8. More details on the programs listed in Table 3.8 can be obtained from the contact persons listed in Table 3.9.

PRIVATETABLE 3.8: MAJOR BILATERAL PROJECTS COORDINATED BY THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT

CountryTopicTotal cost

SwitzerlandWastewater treatment at Pecs TanneryUSD 400,000

Wastewater treatment at Vajna-RohodCHF 7 million (USD 4.8 mln)

Wastewater treatment at Jaszfenyszaru-PusztamonostorCHF 600 thousand (USD 410,000)

Sewage system at municipalities connected to rivers Tapio-HajtaCHF 1.2 million (USD 820,000)

Environmental development of the city of KecskemetCHF 1.2 million (USD 820,000)

Environmental development of the city of DebrecenCHF 7.7 million (USD 5.3 mln)

Sludge treatment in DebrecenCHF 1.6 million (USD 1.1 mln)

Water quality protection at Lake VelenceCHF 1 million (USD 670,000)

JapanJICA Study on modernization of the Borsod Power Plantno data

Varpalota and region rehabilitation program, industrial subprogramYEN 10 billion (USD 80 mln)

Varpalota and region rehabilitation program, municipal subprogramYEN 5 billion (USD 40 mln)

Improving the environment of Lake Balatonno data

USALEMP, Local Environmental Management Project in Csepelno data

Environmental Management Training CenterUSD 200,000

EPA - Environmental Strategy ProjectUSD 50,000

Nitrokemia - wastewater treatment demonstration siteno data

Impact of agrochemicals on water qualityHUF 2.7 million (USD 15,000)

Glicin conjugation on pharmaceutical and environmental toxicologyHUF 3 million (USD 17,000)

Developing trees resistant to environmental damageHUF 2.4 million (USD 12,000)

Sub-micron emissions from incineratorsHUF 2.5 million (USD 14,000)

Integrated biological dentrification systemHUF 2.4 million (USD 12,000)

Land use and cover changes in SzigetkozHUF 1.8 million (USD 10,000)

Aerosol particle characterizationHUF 2.8 million (USD 16,000)

Entomopatogene nematodesHUF 3 million (USD 17,000)

Soil characteristics and forecasts on plant changesHUF 3.2 million (USD 18,000)

Genetics of thrichodermsHUF 3.3 million (USD 19,000)

Nitrogen and ozone cycle in forestsHUF 2.6 million (USD 15,000)

Measurement of CO2 fluctuation in the atmosphereHUF 2.3 million (USD 13,000)

Hazardous weather forecasting and warningHUF 2.4 million (USD 12,000)

Effect of sunspot activity on global changesHUF 3.5 million (USD 20,000)

Active sludge bioreactor configurationHUF 3.2 million (USD 18,000)

Air quality in BudapestHUF 3.6 million (USD 20,000)

Impact of PCBs on the nervous systemHUF 3.6 million (USD 20,000)

Development of the Hungarian-Slovak-Romanian border water monitoring systemUSD 6 million (for 3 countries)

CanadaCanada-Hungary National Parks Projectno data

FranceMethods to slow down the eutrophication of Lake Balatonno data

GermanyDeveloping methods for surface mining in an environmentally sound mannerno data

Environment-oriented know-how and technology transfer in Pest countyno data

Cataster for inherited damagesECU 250,000 (USD 290,000)

Environmental assessment of industrial plants prior to privatizationno data

Promotion of the Hungarian environmental industryno data

Ecotourismno data

Ecological corridors, wetlands, biodiversity, biomonitoringDEM 850,000 (USD 500,000)

Surveying and evaluation of polluted soilsDEM 250,000 (USD 150,000)

Municipal environmental protection - training materials, workshopsno data

Assistance in developing Hungarys air protection law no data

Impact of Budapests wastewater on water quality in the DanubeDEM 90,000 (USD 50,000)

Assessment of past environmental pollutionno data

Air quality monitoring systemDEM 100,000 (USD 60,000)

PRIVATETABLE 3.9: CONTACT POINTS FOR BILATERAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS

Donor CountryContact PersonTelephone

Switzerland, UKMs. Zsuzsa Arokhazi(36-1) 201-2243

Japan, USAMs. Eszter Szovenyi(36-1) 201-3764

Canada, France, GermanyMs. Csillag Deak(36-1) 201-4782

Denmark, Belgium, HollandMs. Katalin Schreier, Ms. Marta Galambos(36-1) 201-2891

Major Sources of Information on Business Opportunities

Almost all the interviewed respondents indicated personal and professional contacts as the main source of information concerning environmental project opportunities. Business and environment-related publications, as well as participation in environmental trade fairs and conferences were other important sources.

The most frequently read environment-related magazines are Krnyezetvdelmi Fzetek (Environmental Protection Booklets) (OMIKK), Krnyezet s Fejlds (Environment and Development) and the Krnyezetvdelmi s Vzugyi rtest (Environment and Water Protection Bulletin). Most local authorities in Hungary receive the magazine Krnyezetvdelem (Environmental Protection).

A much higher percentage of interviewed professionals read economic and business newspapers like Heti Vilggazdasg (Weekly World Economy) and Napi Vilggazdasg (Daily World Economy). However, environmental project opportunities are rarely mentioned in these publications.

Fairs and exhibitions of environmental technologies are attended by 90 percent of the interviewed respondents from the business and government sectors, and by 50 percent of respondents from the R&D sector. Respondents from the latter group participate more often in non-commercial events, such as conferences and symposia. Half of the interviewed businesspeople attend one or two events each year, and one third visit at least three fairs.

For comparison, Table 3.10 ranks information sources for business opportunities, based on a 1995 survey of 150 environmental businesses in Hungary carried out by the Regional Environmental Center.

PRIVATETABLE 3.10: MAJOR SOURCES OF INFORMATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

Source of InformationRespondents

Professional contacts92%

Personal contacts91%

Professional associations84%

Conference attendance69%

Environmental publications66%

Daily newspapers62%

Business publications59%

Trade shows and fairs53%

Environmental ministry42%

Mailing lists34%

Chambers of commerce32%

Other ministries32%

Academic associations27%

Ministry of industry/trade27%

Fax23%

Other19%

Local and regional government14%

Email7%

Source: REC Report "Emerging Environmental Market" 1995

The findings of the current survey correspond well with the picture given from Table 3.10, where personal and/or professional contacts (including conference and trade show attendance) are the major source of information, followed by professional associations, trade shows and fairs, and business and environmental publications.

Based on the same 1995 survey, Table 3.11 presents the main business and environmental publications read by Hungarian environmental professionals.

PRIVATETABLE 3.11: MAIN BUSINESS AND ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLICATIONS

PublicationRespondents

HVG35%

Kornyezetvedelmifuzetek34%

Napi Vilaggazdasag28%

Cegvezetes15%

Kornyezet es Fejlodes13%

Figyelo10%

Kornyezetvedelmi es Vizugyiertesito6%

Budapest Business Journal8%

Piac6%

Source: REC Report "Emerging Environmental Market" 1995

The role of environmental and trade associations in Hungary is quite limited, as shown in Table 3.12.

PRIVATETABLE 3.12: MAIN ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRADE ASSOCIATIONS

AssociationRespondents Enlisted

Hydrology Society23%

METESZ12%

Chamber of Engineers10%

Association of Chemists7%

Environmental Protection Association6%

Economic Chamber3%

Source: REC Report "Emerging Environmental Market" 1995

Interestingly, 61 percent of respondents stated they did not belong to any professional association. It is therefore surprising that at the same time 84 percent of respondents indicated professional associations as a source of information for environmental business project opportunities (see Table 3.10). One can only assume that, through personal contacts, information published by professional associations reaches a wide non-membership audience.

From the limited information received concerning the focus and approximate date of major environmental fairs in Hungary, it appears that participation in environmental fairs and exhibitions is an important, albeit not the major, source of information. Many respondents noted that they are not aware of any central register or publication listing environmental events, even though such a register would be extremely useful for planning one's attendance of the most important events.

Table 3.13 presents the major environment-related fairs in Hungary. In addition, Table 3.14 lists a number of other fairs, mainly those with a regional focus and which have an environmental component.

PRIVATETABLE 3.13: MAJOR ENVIRONMENT-RELATED FAIRS IN HUNGARY

Name of FairCityApproximate DateFocus

MACH-TECHBudapestMarch, annuallymachine manufacturing technologies

AGRO+MASHEXPOBudapestMarch, annuallyagricultural equipment

AQUA-THERM BUDAPESTBudapestApril, annuallyheating, ventilation, air conditioning, bathroom fittings, env. technologies

CONSTRUMABudapestApril, annuallyconstruction

Fair and Forum of 'Koztisztasagi Egyesulet' (Communal Association)Szombathely (location not set)April-March, annuallymunicipal solid waste handling

INDUSTRIA OKO-TECHBudapestMay, annuallydifferent environmental fields

KOMMUNALEXPOBudapestJune, annuallysewage, wastewater treatment, municipal solid waste handling

NATUREXPOBudapestAugust 1996 (one-time event)environment protection, nature conservation

BNV (Budapest International Fair)BudapestSeptember, annuallygeneral

International Conference and Fair on Energy Conservation and Environmental TechnologiesBudapestOctober, annuallyenergy efficiency and saving

BUDATRANSPACKBudapestOctober, annuallymaterial handling, packaging

Note: Highlighted in bold are the major events

PRIVATETABLE 3.14: OTHER FAIRS PARTLY FOCUSING ON ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES

Name of FairCityApproximate Date

CHEMEXPOBudapestMarch, annually

HUNGAROKORRBudapestApril, biannually

VERTESEXPOTatabanyaSpring, annually

GYONGYOSEXPOGyongyosannually

EXPO EASTNyiregyhazaNovember, annually

Note: Events listed above generally have a regional focus, and environmental protection is not necessarily the major field

Table 3.15 presents the major environment-related conferences in Hungary.

PRIVATETABLE 3.15: CONFERENCES WITH A SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENT

Name of ConferenceCityApproximate DateFocus

National Environmental Days for Local GovernmentsBudapestFebruary, annuallymunicipal solid waste, water, wastewater, air

National Conference on Transportation and EnvironmentBudapestMaytransportation, fuels and lubricants, vehicle manufacturing

National Environmental Information ConferenceBudapestSeptember, annuallyenvironment in general

DAT '9x (International Conference of Database Distributors)BudapestOctober, annuallySpecial section on recycling

National Conference on Agriculture and EnvironmentBudapestNovember, annuallyenvironmental issues in agriculture

Conference of the Hungarian Biomass AssociationGodolloannuallybiomass, energetics

Public Procurement Act

The public procurement procedure currently in force in Hungary is a potentially important way to identify environmental business opportunities. Local authorities and governmental agencies are obliged to announce a tender for most investments involving the use of public money. As the system develops, tender procedures are likely to play an increasing role as a source of information concerning upcoming projects.

The area is regulated by Act XI. 1995 on Public Procurement. Partial regulations in the field in Hungary have been in force since November 1, 1995, with comprehensive regulations made effective from January 1, 1996. According to the Act, public investments above a specified value made by the national government and local authorities are subject to a tender procedure. The provisions apply to governmental bodies and local authorities, to associations created by these bodies, as well as to public institutions, public foundations and public utilities. Subject to the public procurement process are acquisitions of products and services, and construction investments.

The specific investment values above which public procurement procedure and tendering become mandatory are determined annually. In 1996, the following limits were applicable:

HUF 10 million (approx. USD 60,000) for product purchases

HUF 20 million (approx. USD 120,000) for construction investments

HUF 5 million (approx. USD 30,000) for construction planning (blueprint)

Both tender announcements and the results of the bidding have to be published in the Kzbeszerzsi rtest (Public Procurement Bulletin). Regular media receive and can publish information concerning tenders only after they have been advertised in the Bulletin.

The tender procedure can be open, closed, or negotiable. Generally, open tenders are the preferred method - the latter two can only be used in cases specified by the Act. Announcement of the project in the Public Procurement Bulletin is the first step in the open tender procedure. The content of the announcement is regulated by law, and should include: documentation required for application, detailed terms of reference, a technical description of the project, and bidding deadlines. After the contract has been awarded, the decision is published in the Public Procurement Bulletin.

The Hungarian Parliament has enacted two additional pieces of legislation related to public procurement:

1/1996. (II.7.) KTM rendelet: detailed technical requirements for announcements of construction investments subject to public procurement;

125/1996. (VII.24.) KORM. rendelet: detailed rules of public procurement applicable to public institutions financed from the national budget.

Important Contact Points for Environmental Project Opportunities

Almost all the institutions listed in Table 3.16 are active in a range of environmental sectors, and therefore specific sectors are not indicated.

PRIVATETABLE 3.16: CONTACT POINTS FOR INFORMATION CONCERNING ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS

Organization Name and AddressContact Information

Ministry for Environment and Regional Policy (KTM)1011 Budapest, Fo u. 40-50see also Table 3.9 for more contact detailsMr. Arpad Kovacs, Tel: (36-1) 201-2043, Fax: 201-3971Mr. Tibor Farago, Tel/fax: (36-1) 201-4091Mr. Gyorgy Erdey, Tel: (36-1) 201-1407, Fax: 201-2819

Secretariat of the Central Environmental Fund (KKA)1011 Budapest, Fo u. 44-50Mr. Istvan SindellTel: (36-1) 457-3300, Fax: 457-3413

PHARE Office (KTM)1011 Budapest, Fo u. 44-50Mr. Bela DonathTel: (36-1) 201-1691, Fax: 201-5780

Environmental Inspectorate, Budapest1011 Budapest, Fo u. 44-50Mr. Pal VargaTel: (36-1) 201-4619, Fax: 201-4284

Environmental Service Providers Association (KSS)1149 Budapest, Angol u. 42Ms. Anna SzekelyTel/fax: (36-1) 220-2367, tel. 220-2369

Environmental Information Club (KVIK)1148 Budapest, Limanova ter 25Mr. Zoltan SzarvasTel/fax: (36-1) 252-8452, Tel: (36-30) 514-520

Hungary-EU Energy CenterMs. Doris KeszthelyiTel: (36-1) 269-9067, Fax: 269-9065

BAU DATA Project Information and Consulting Bureau1142 Budapest, Dorozsmai u. 110Tel: (36-1) 252-5454, Fax: 252-6518

Environmental Management Institute1369 Budapest, 5 Pf.352, Budapest, V Alkotmany u. 29Dr. Attila KovacsTel: (36-1) 332-9940, Fax: (36-1) 111-5826

National Association of Waste Recyclers1066 Budapest, Dessewffy u. 3Mr. Henrik BalatoniTel: (36-1) 111-1477; Fax: (36-1) 131-1516

National Committee for Technological Development (OMFB)1052 Budapest, Szervita ter 8Ms. Ilona Szabotel. (36-1) 117-5900, Fax: (36-1) 118-7998

Public Hygiene Society2483 Gardony, Pf. 15, Gardony Bone K. u. 44Mr. Gyorgy NagyTel: (36-22) 355-065, Fax: (36-22) 355-253

Environmental Management and Law Association (EMLA)1082 Budapest, Ulloi ut 66/b-I, VI-4Dr. Csaba KissTel/fax: (36-1) 333-2931

Independent Ecology Center1035 Budapest, Miklos ter 1Ms. Judit VasarhelyiTel: (36-1) 180-3420, Fax: (36-1) 250-1546

Environmental Training Program1112 Budapest, Budaorsi t 45Ms. Vilma EriTel: (36-1) 185-0777

Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC)2000 Szentendre, Ady Endre ut 9-11Mr. Pawel KazmierczykTel: (36-26) 504-000, fax: (36-26) 311-294

Hungarian Association for Environmentally Aware Management (KOVET-INEM Hungaria)1063 Budapest, Munkacsy M. u. 16Mr. Gergely TothTel: (36-1) 131-7578, Fax: (36-1) 332-0787

Foundation for Industry1063 Budapest, Munkacsy M. u. 16Dr. Tamas KemenyTel: (36-1) 312-2213, Fax: (36-1) 332-0787

Danube Circle1026 Budapest, Gabor Aron u. 33Mr. Janos VargaTel: (20) 419-096

WWF Hungary1124 Budapest, Nemethvolgyi u. 78/bMr. Ferenc MarkusTel/fax: (36-1) 175-4790

There is no "formal" institution or clearinghouse in Hungary collecting and disseminating information concerning environmental business opportunities. As indicated earlier, personal and professional contacts seem to be the most important and effective source of information for project opportunities. Two thirds of respondents indicated that information gathering via official/governmental channels (KTM, OMFB, MTA, OMIKK, EU Energy Center) is "very incidental."

Sources of Information on Available Environmental Technologies

In general, aside from the ever-present financial constraints, purchasing environmental technologies does not pose any significant problems in Hungary because of the wide range of products available on the market. Representatives of domestic and foreign companies often visit potential clients in person, or contact them by mail, offering products and services. Survey respondents generally believe the market to be saturated.

Based on the survey interviews, the most common means of gathering information prior to purchase of environmental technologies include, in order of significance:

personal and professional relations

industry associations

fairs and exhibitions

journals and catalogues

via the foreign owner or parent company

company contact

professional meetings, discussions, and conferences

references

through chambers of commerce

assistance from environmental inspectorates

As with the situation with information about project opportunities, when purchasing environmental technologies, most domestic Hungarian firms strongly rely on personal contacts, which are the primary source of information. In contrast, foreign firms and joint-ventures mostly depend on information provided by the parent company or the foreign partner.