Press Release on the launch of Invest Hungary

14th November, 2013

The establishment of Invest Hungary lays a significant milestone for trade and investment exchanges between Hungary and Asia

Thanks to its unique geographical and economic conditions, Hong Kong, as one of the freest economies in the world, plays an important role in bridging the East and the West. A long-time advocate of closer trade and economic relations between Hungary and Asia, H.E. Paul Kan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Hungary, has joined hands with Hungarian partners to launch Invest Hungary, a business initiative with a base in Hong Kong that targets to promote investment in Hungary through foreign direct investment; encourage cooperation between Hungarian SMEs and companies from Hong Kong and China; and foster Hong Kong - Hungarian partnerships. Invest Hungary was officially launched on 14 November 2013, laying a significant milestone for fostering the relationship between Hungary and Asia.

Leveraging Hong Kong's unique position within Asia and as the gateway to China, with its rule of law, freedom of speech, and the status of a leading international financial centre, Invest Hungary provides a knowledge platform that facilitates services including consulting, advisory, database management, match-making and data mining for Hungarian companies looking for business opportunities in Asia and China. It is also a promotional body for Hungarian brands for wholesale and retail in Asia as well as Hungarian culture, gastronomy and tourism. Furthermore, Invest Hungary strives to bring investment in Hungarian innovation as well as alternative technologies in IT, environment, biotech, life sciences and nanotech, areas in which Hungary is at the forefront.

Hungary, on the other hand, is strategically located at the centre of Europe, has good potential to be the logistics hub within the European Union, and above all, it is a great destination for the tourists with Budapest as the one of the most beautiful capital cities and some of the best spas in the world known for wellness and health improvement. Marking the launch of Invest Hungary, Ambassador Paul Kan remarked, “I'm proud of the partnership with Hungary which represents an exceptional opportunity for Hong Kong. Through the Invest Hungary initiative, I'm confident that we can help enhance business co-operation and facilitate both inward as well as outward investment into and out of Hungary to Asia.”

Professor Paul Kan was conferred the title of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Hungary in July 2013. This refers to the highest ranking diplomat who represents the country, with the special assignment to advise and assist the Hungarian State and Government on particular issues. The appointment, together with H.E. Paul Kan's award of the Federation of European Associations of Honorary Consuls (FUECH) Grand Cross of Merit for Outstanding Consular Work in April 2013, signified the high regard for H.E. Kan as an international diplomat, and the close ties between Hong Kong, China, and Hungary, as well as Europe.

Invest Hungary was launched on the same day as the re-opening of the Consulate General of Hungary in Hong Kong, which was officiated by H.E. Péter Szijjártó, the Hungarian State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and External Economic Relations.

Invest Hungary Limited
E-mail: pr@iHungary.org
Website: www.iHungary.org
Tel: (852) 2896 9311 Fax: (852) 2898 6268

Ambassador Paul Kan CBE, Comm OSSI, Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur, SBS, JP
Ambassador Paul Kan is the Founder and Chair of three information technology companies (Champion Technology Holdings Limited, Kantone Holdings Limited, and DIGITALHONGKONG.COM) which are listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Ambassador Kan is also Chair of A Better Tomorrow; Chinese World Cultural Heritage Foundation; and World Cultural Relics Protection Foundation. He is a fervent supporter of the information technology industry and is currently Chairman of Hong Kong IT Alliance and Honorary Chairman of the Hong Kong Information Technology Industry Council. As an aficionado and connoisseur of art and culture, Ambassador Kan is the Patron of International Foundation for Art Research; Member of Arts and Treasures Evaluation Committee, Ministry of Culture, China; and Executive Committee Member of Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation. Ambassador Kan's contribution to the development of technology, arts and culture has received worldwide recognition. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace by the Government of the HKSAR in 2006; awarded Commander of the most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2006; Commendatore dell'Ordine della Stella della Solidarieta Italiana (Comm OSSI) by the Italian Prime Minister Hon. Romano Prodi in 2006; Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur by the French Government in 2007; and Silver Bauhinia Star (SBS) by the Government of the HKSAR in 2009. In 2011, he was appointed Honorary Consul of the Republic of Hungary in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macau Special Administrative Region. In 2013, Ambassador Kan was awarded the Grand Cross of Merit for Outstanding Consular Work by the Federation of European Associations of Honorary Consuls (FUECH) and was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Hungary by the Government of Hungary.