Direct flights between the capitals of Uzbekistan and Hungary are planned to be launched from the second half of 2023. This was announced on April 27 by the Minister of Economic Development of Hungary, Márton Nagy, speaking at the second International Investment Forum in Tashkent. The event is attended by over 2,000 representatives of international business - heads of companies, funds, well-known economists and experts.
“The connection between the two countries, despite the 4,000 km separating them, will become even closer and more significant in the near future,” Márton Nagy said, adding that direct flights were also part of the bilateral economic ties.
He also emphasized that at the last meeting of the Uzbek-Hungarian intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation, the parties explored opportunities for expanding cooperation in the textile, food, agricultural, pharmaceutical and chemical industries.
Márton Nagy also voiced Hungary's readiness to share with Uzbekistan its experience in artificial intelligence technology and drone production.
Implementation of nine planned investment projects had already commenced, said Márton Nagy. “Hungary and Uzbekistan are connected not only by business cooperation, but also by personal friendship,” he concluded.
On the sidelines of the forum, Márton Nagy was hosted by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the presidential press service said.
The parties reportedly touched upon the priority steps for the development of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, special attention was paid to the cardinal expansion of cooperation at the level of business and provinces.
The parties noted the importance of launching direct flights in the coming months, agreeing on conditions as soon as possible, and launching a site for in-depth industrial cooperation.
According to the press service, efforts would be stepped up on the preparation and implementation of agriculture, pharmaceuticals, transport and communications, and the creation of effective financial instruments projects.
Earlier, the Embassy of Uzbekistan opened in Budapest in March.
In February, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Economic Relations Peter Szijjártó said that Hungary was creating a special industrial zone near Tashkent, where Hungarian companies would be given special legal status to invest in areas such as the food industry, agriculture, nuclear industry, manufacturing medicines and medical equipment and the construction industry. In addition, the largest Hungarian bank OTP acquired Ipoteka-Bank in Uzbekistan.
