At the Budapest Water Summit 2016 the Minister for National Economy held talks with the leaders of various international organizations and institutes, among others, with Managing Director and World Bank Group Chief Joaquim Levy, International Investment Bank Chairman Nikolay Kosov and Deputy Director-General of United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Taizo Nisikawa.
Outstanding expertise in water issues, internationally renowned skills and substantial water reserves may make Hungary a globally active participant in the cooperation of countries interested in sustainable development, Mihály Varga said, following talks with Joaquim Levy.
The Minister drew attention to Hungarian companies with adequate experience and know-how in the field of water management, which may be a great help in projects funded world-wide by the World Bank. Mihály Varga and Joaquim Levy agreed that the organization – as an international development policy institute of massive knowledge – must support the implementation of international water management projects.
Concerning issues such as improving economic growth and competitiveness, cooperation between Hungary and the IIB must be continued, especially as far as the sharing of best practices and international know-how is concerned.
Mihály Varga conferred with International Investment Bank Chairman Nikolay Kosov on the bank’s upcoming strategy for the period 2017-2022. As a shareholder of the IIB, Mihály Varga said, it is important for Hungary that, in line with the new directives, larger emphasis will be placed on the direct financing of SME and state projects alike.
Speaking of the role of UNIDO, the Minister stressed that the organization, which plans and implements development projects, and assists the industrialization of developing countries, has been pivotal in coordinating development efforts of member states. Mihály Varga noted that Hungary’s re-industrialization policy aims to turn the country into one of the most highly industrialized within the EU by 2020. Deputy Director-General Taizo Nisikawa noted that the UNIDO recognizes and supports Hungary’s re-industrialization endeavours.
(Ministry for National Economy)
