The Astana Expo is a major economic event this year, which offers a great opportunity alsor Hungary to present achievements of Hungarian enterprises related to future energies, Minister Mihály Varga said at the opening of the Hungary Day at the Astana Expo. As the Minister noted, the Hungarian pavilion has enjoyed special attention in the past two months, and the number of visitors at the Hungarian exhibition has now reached almost 200 thousand.

Kazakhstan is the first among t fohe countries of Central Asia to host one of the most important economic and cultural gatherings of the world, and the event has already brought success for the country, Mihály Varga stated. The Hungarian pavilion – where the exhibition’s lead topic was solar energy symbolized by the Tree of Life, an efficient utilizer of solar power – has accomplished its goal, successfully presenting Hungarian innovations in the field of energy savings and energy efficiency, e-mobility and innovative architectural solutions. These have created business opportunities for Hungarian companies, he added.

Speaking of Hungarian-Kazakh relations Mihály Varga stressed that in the past couple of years economic cooperation have evolved into a strategic partnership, thanks to which bilateral trade volume has soared, gaining some 270 percent in the first five months of the year,  in comparison to the same period of 2016. Besides stronger economic, educational and cultural relations another important result was that beginning with this summer a direct flight links the capital cities of Hungary and Kazakhstan, he said.

At the opening ceremony of the Hungary Day, which also marks the 20 August national holiday – at which Minister for Agriculture Sándor Fazekas also gave a welcome speech – visitors were entertained with folk dance and equestrian shows as well as programmes presenting Hungarian traditions.

(Ministry for National Economy)