by Xiong Weisheng
BEIJING, Nov 27 (China Economic Net) – Hungary is seeking closer supply chain with China and exploring new partnerships with Chinese firms at the China (Hubei)-Hungary Supply Chain Cooperation Conference held on Tuesday during the ongoing second China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) in Beijing.
Martina Almási, director of the Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency (HIPA), in an interview with China Economic Net (CEN/ Xiong Weisheng)
Five Hungarian companies in areas including logistics and healthcare are presenting their products and services at the expo, and they are “seeking opportunities and collaboration with Chinese companies,” said Martina Almási, director of the Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency (HIPA), in an interview with China Economic Net (CEN).
“In our organisation, we have a wide network of over 700 companies in various industries. For Chinese companies looking for Hungarian partners, we would be very much pleased to help them search for the ideal partners,” Almási added.
Chinese officials also expressed enthusiasm for deepening economic relations with Hungary. Ren Hongbin, president of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), said at the conference, “We will actively help more high-quality Hungarian products enter the Chinese market and support more capable Chinese enterprises, including those from Hubei Province, to invest and develop in Hungary.”
Wuhan Mayor Sheng Yuechun highlighted sectors such as optoelectronics, new energy vehicles, life sciences, and high-end equipment manufacturing as areas for potential collaboration between Chinese and Hungarian enterprises. “We’d like to invite Hungarian firms to visit Wuhan and explore business opportunities,” he said, emphasising the city’s commitment to fostering international partnerships.
In 2023, Hungary attracted a record €13 billion ($14.5 billion) in foreign direct investment, with €7.6 billion ($8.2 billion) coming from Chinese investors, according to an HIPA report. In the same year, China became the largest investor in Hungary once again after 2020, the report said.
Speaking at the supply chain conference, Almási noted that the growth is largely driven by investments in electromobility sectors, especially battery and automotive industries. Chinese firms such as Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) and BYD have invested heavily in these areas.
“Our organisation HIPA is helping Chinese companies settle in Hungary. Our sister organisation, the Hungarian Export Promotion Agency helps the Hungarian companies venture abroad and find their business opportunities or investments in other countries, including China,” Almási told CEN.
CISCE, a significant platform for international businesses to explore supply chain cooperation, has attracted participants from over 70 countries this year. The expo serves as a hub for enterprises aiming to strengthen global supply chains amid economic recovery efforts.
（Editor:Fu Bo）
