Deputy State Secretary responsible for the “Opening to the East” Policy Dr. Csaba Balogh inaugurated the 24th and 25th foreign representative offices of the Hungarian Trading House in Botswana on 10 December and in Pretoria on 11 December, 2014.

The Deputy State Secretary emphasised in his address that, in line with the „Opening to the East” policy, the Hungarian government is seeking closer cooperation with the countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, which are becoming the new growth centres of the world economy.

He pointed out that the opening of the two new trading houses will significantly contribute to the strengthening of bilateral economic relations and to their expansion to new areas, facilitating the market access of Hungarian small and medium sized enterprises and the establishment of business partnerships.

Dr. Csaba Balogh held talks with Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Lapologang C. Lekoa in Botswana, following which an agreement on regular political consultations between the two Foreign Ministries was signed.

In South Africa, the Deputy State Secretary was received by Jerry Matjila, Director-General of the Department of International Relations and Co-operation. The parties reviewed current questions of bilateral political, economic and human relations and confirmed their mutual willingness to strengthen the strategic partnership.

He also visited the Department of Trade and Industry where he had negotiations with Chief Director Victor Mashabela on the preparations of the second meeting of the Economic and Technological Joint Committee, which will be organised in Budapest in 2015.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade)