Minister of State for Culture Péter Hoppál opened on Thursday the Budapest Design Week, the region’s most prestigious such event, boasting 220 events on October 3-12.

The Minister of State pointed out that the government is relying on creative industries to help Hungary’s economic recovery and the sector is already showing great results. Hungary has the fastest-growing GDP in the region, but within that, creative industries are growing five times as fast. He added, however, that further improvements would still be needed to catch up with the performance of the creative industry of the Netherlands, the guest of honour of the event.

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Miklós Bendzsel, President of the National Intellectual Property Office said the event is one of the most prestigious of its kind in Europe and hopefully it will help launch the careers of many young designers, entrepreneurs and managers.

Dutch Ambassador to Budapest Gajus Sheltema said at the opening that in the Netherlands, design usually reflects social and individual problems and its success is a blend of innovation and practicality.

Director General of Design Terminal Gergely Böszörményi-Nagy said that the number of jobs in the creative industry in Hungary equals to those in agriculture, whereas the creative sector is the second most important growth area after the automotive industry, while also lending character and identity to the capital.

(Ministry of Human Capacities)