Minister for National Economy Mihály Varga and Slovenia’s Minister of Economic Development and Technology Zdravko Počivalšek discussed cooperation options related to industrial policies, digitalization and electro-mobility. Mihály Varga stressed that the Hungarian Government does everything in its power to assist partnerships between the enterprises of the two countries through cross-border programmes.

Besides traditionally good economic relations, areas such as industrial modernization and the digitalization-focused so-called 4th industrial revolution are offering new partnership opportunities for Hungary and Slovenia, Mihály Varga pointed out. Hungary is about to build a state-of-the-art test track, one of the most up-to-date tracks in the region, in Zalaegerszeg, which may be a new location for joint development projects. As the Minister said, he and his Slovenian colleague have discussed a potential agreement in the field of electromobility. In the long term, it is vital for customers that electromobility services providers coordinate their operations within the region, he added.

After the meeting, Mihály Varga said that Hungary supported Slovenia’s efforts to tighten economic relations with the V4, especially with regard to projects boosting the region’s competitiveness.

Budapest’s bid to host the Olympics was high on the meeting’s agenda, and Slovenia expressed support for the project. A successful bid is a great opportunity for not only Hungary but the entire region, Mihály Varga noted.

Following the event, Head of Start-up Initiative Slovenia and Imre Hild of the Start-up Division of the Hungarian Association for Innovation ceremoniously signed an MoU on the Slovenian organization’s joining of the “Regional Start-up Platform”. Thus, the number of start-ups contributing to the competitiveness of the V4 Plus may increase, which may also attract skilled labour and stimulate entrepreneurial spirit, he emphasised.

(Ministry for National Economy)