On February 18, 2020, International Investment Bank (IIB) together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary hosted a business breakfast dedicated to the topic of support of Hungarian export companies.

Among the participants of this significant business event were the owners and top managers of leading Hungarian exporting SMEs, representing such key sectors of as agriculture, food processing, mechanical engineering, household and medical equipment manufacturing, pharmaceuticals. These companies are participants of the export support programme implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary.

Export development remains among key priorities for the country's economy as it improves competitiveness of the Hungarian business and contributes to the creation of jobs. Mr. Levente Magyar, State Secretary of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, indicated this in his welcoming speech. He noted that for several consecutive years, the annual volume of Hungarian exports has invariably exceeded 100 billion euros, which makes Hungary 34th in the world in this respect. At the same time, the Government hopes for a further increase in export activity. In this connection, an emergence of a new market player in the likes of a multilateral development institution with headquarters in the CEE region benefits this in every way.

Mr. Gabor Gion, Minister of State for Financial Policy Affairs of the Ministry of Finance of Hungary, who represents the country in the IIB Board of Governors, also noted that the cooperation of leading Hungarian exporters with IIB, which has accumulated sound experience in the successful development of foreign trade operations, will give a new powerful impetus to these activities.

Mr. Jákli Gergely, the CEO and President of EXIM Hungary, presented his vision of mutually beneficial ways of cooperation between Hungarian financial institutions and International Investment Bank in the field of export promotion. He expressed confidence that through joint efforts both banks will be able to raise the level of Hungarian exports to IIB member states and third countries to a substantially new level.

The IIB team presented a detailed information about the Bank’s services and products with the focus on its mid-term strategy and investment priorities to the companies present at the event.

The meeting participants agreed to continue such encounters and consultations on a regular basis.