DTI Secretary Lopez Visits Hungary, Meets with Trade Ministry, Parliament, and Businessmen
DTI Secretary Lopez and Hungarian Foreign Minister Szijjarto address the media in their joint press conference (Photo: J. Garcia)
26 February 2018 BUDAPEST – Department of Trade and Investment Secretary Ramon M. Lopez visited Budapest on 08-09 February 2018 at the invitation of Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto. He was accompanied by Ambassador Maria Fe T. Pangilinan and other officials from DTI and a business delegation.
The delegation met with the Hungarian officials led by Minister Peter Szijjarto at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on 08 February 2018. The Hungarian delegation included high-level officials from the Foreign Ministry and the Hungarian National Trading House.
The two delegations discussed the developments on multilateral, regional, and bilateral relations. Both delegations were pleased at the ratification of the Philippines-Hungary Economic Cooperation Agreement, and agreed to have its 1st Joint Economic Commission Meeting this year.
They also discussed and agreed to mutually supporting each other in various economic fora, expert exchanges, export promotion activities, and water management.
A joint press conference followed the bilateral meeting. Both Secretary Lopez and Minister Szijjarto spoke about the mutual interest for expansion of trade and exchange of support in ASEAN and the European Union.
The Philippine delegation also met with Deputy Speaker Istvan Jakab at the Hungarian Parliament on 09 February 2018. The Deputy Speaker welcomed the formation of two friendship societies – the Philippines-Hungary and Hungary-Philippines Friendship Societies – and encouraged reciprocal visits of both groups after the upcoming Hungarian elections.
During Secretary Lopez’ visit, a business forum was conducted at the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry on 09 February 2018, which was attended by officials from the Chamber and representatives from the public and business sectors. The DTI Secretary delivered a lecture on the economic developments in the Philippines and business opportunities back home.
The Philippines delegation was also able to visit two (2) Hungarian companies in Budapest, technological center Millenaris on 08 February and pharmaceutical company Egis on 09 February. END
For more information, visit www.budapestpe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PhilippineEmbassyBudapest.
Philippine and Hungarian delegations discussing various issues during their plenary meeting (Photo: J. Garcia)
Philippine delegation touring the Hungarian Parliament (Photo: J. Garcia)