Péter Szijjártó, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and External Economic Relations, praised the fruitful relations that have been built with Arab countries since the change of Government in 2010.

The State Secretary told participants at a board meeting of the Arab-Hungarian section of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry that tightening relations with the Arab region has been truly beneficiary for the Hungarian economy. He underlined that Hungary can offer products and services that are in demand in Arab countries.

He recalled that the eurozone crisis hit the Hungarian economy badly, since the great majority of Hungarian exports targeted EU Member States. Nothing will be the same after the crisis, and so methods used before cannot be successful now, he said, adding that the Government faced a harsh situation when taking over power in 2010 and needed to overcome serious disadvantages for the previous Government had not taken steps towards building a system of allies.

Péter Szijjártó pointed out that opening up to the East is part of a foreign policy and economic strategy, which includes building relations with China and the Far East as well as with countries from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Caucasus Republics, since the Hungarian supply structure and demand in these latter overlap. Hungary’s further important partners are the Western Balkans and the Arab world.

The State Secretary noted that the main fields of cooperation with the Arab region are infrastructure, agriculture and R&D. Several Arab countries have recently elaborated national development projects and the Hungarian construction industry may participate in their realisation. He also underlined the importance of helping small and medium-sized enterprises get access to foreign markets, which is an important source of economic growth.

He mentioned that the regular meeting of joint economic committees is also an important instrument for building relations. Exports can also be further boosted by high-level state visits, he added.

Chairman of the Hungarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce László Parragh has expressed his appreciation regarding the expanding Arab-Hungarian economic relations.

At the board meeting, the Arab-Hungarian section discussed this year’s programme schedule, which includes business visits by delegations from Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi-Arabia, as well as a Hungarian visit to Iraq.

(Prime Minister's Office)