“Hungarian-Swiss relations are mutually beneficial; there are more than 300 Swiss companies operating in Hungary that provide employment to 40,000 people”, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Parliamentary State Secretary László Szabó said on Wednesday in Budapest at a conference organised by Swiss food industry giant Nestlé.

The Food4Talk conference coincided with the 150th anniversary of the founding of Nestlé and the 25th anniversary of Nestlé Hungária Limited. The Deputy Minister told those present: Hungarian-Swiss relations are developing dynamically; foreign trade flow between the two countries increased by 10 per cent last year.

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Mr. Szabó recalled that Nestlé has been present in Hungary with production capacities for 25 years, and since then has continued to introduce developments and innovative technologies, create jobs and bring the country more and more export opportunities.

Through continuous innovation, Nestlé is producing increasingly healthy and nutritious foods, he added. The Deputy Minister said it was important for science to support the food industry and referred to the fact that the sector plays a significant role both in Hungarian agriculture and exports.

Managing Director of Nestlé Hungary Jean Grunenwald told the conference’s participants that Nestlé’s investments in Hungary total more than 100 billion forints (EUR 330M). The company plays a determining role within the Hungarian food processing industry and provides employment for 2,400 people at its plants in Bük, Szerencs and Diósgyőr, and its unit in Budapest. The company also actively cooperates with Hungarian suppliers that produce quality ingredients, he added. Mr. Grunenwald stressed that the company has always sought to provide innovative solutions to the social challenges and requirements of the age and is a frontrunner in science-based product development and research & development aimed at healthy nutrition, and supports efforts to improve public health.

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The Managing Director indicated that the company had joined the National Food Processors Association (ÉFOSZ) and had made voluntary pledges within the field of healthy nutrition. Nestlé Hungary posted a net turnover of 126.8 billion forints (EUR 415M) in 2015, 7.5 percent more than in the previous year. The company realised investments totalling 2.9 billion forints last year, mainly including the modernisation of existing production lines and projects aimed at improving energy efficiency. In the spring of this year, the company announced a 20 billion forint investment that will make its Bük plant the Nestlé Group’s largest and most important pet food production centre in Europe.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)