Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Hungary wants to strengthen economic ties with the country, Hungarian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó tells CNN Philippines’ The Source in an episode aired on Wednesday.
In particular, Szijjártó said his country is interested in three areas, namely, water management, in light of natural disasters, water pollution, and lack of access to drainage.
“Hungary is very highly developed on water management, so the technologies we can offer can be very helpful for you to overcome all these challenges,” he said.
“We understand that there are more than 10 water-related nature disasters happening in this country… on a regular basis,” he added. “We understand that water pollution is an issue here, which should be overcome. And we understand that the… population is still not having access to drain (networks).”
Szijjártó said Hungary pursued similar projects in Cambodia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam, so they “have very good international references” in Asia.
Hungary is strengthening ties with the country after it reopened its embassy in Manila on Tuesday. The embassy first opened in 1991, but closed in 1995.
Hungary is also considering partnerships on food manufacturing-particularly exporting meat — and providing agricultural technology.
“We have received the permission for three major Hungarian meat processing companies, so that will boost the trade,” Szijjártó said.
“We understand the Philippine government would like to run a five-year plan in automatization and modernization of agriculture,” he added. “Hungarian agricultural technologies-which are very developed… could be helpful.”
Strengthening trade, investment
Szijjártó said their foreign policy is focused on the economy, of which trade is an important part.
“We have opened a credit line of 510 million Euros… and it should be taken advantage of by Hungarian companies who would like to work together with your companies (whether) on a very simple export or import transactions, running together… on third markets, or establishing joint ventures,” he said.
He added he met with about “seven (or) eight” leaders of Filipino companies interested in investing in finance, construction, real estate, and energy in Hungary.
Szijjártó said Hungary has the lowest corporate and personal income tax rates in Europe, or flat tax rates of 9 and 15 percent, respectively.
“We have introduced a very wide variety of cash incentives for investments, which in certain parts can reach up to 50 percent of the worth of investments,” he said. “So now it really makes sense to put into consideration [investing] in Hungary.”
Cultural exchange
Szijjártó said Hungary is also interested in “people-to-people contacts.”
One of their programs includes scholarships to Hungary, which he believes will be easier to apply now that the embassy in Manila has reopened.
“We grant scholarships for 35 Filipino students on an annual basis, full state-financed in Hungary on English language courses,” said Szijjártó.
“If we see a growing demand, there will be a growing offer,” he added.
Szijjártó also signed on Monday a memorandum of understanding on Cooperation between his office and the Department of Foreign Affairs – Foreign Service Institute.
According to a statement from the Presidential Communications Office, the agreement includes “exchange of experts and researchers, conduct of joint research programs, invitations to symposia, meetings, and conferences, as well as other modes of cooperation.”
National Artist and National Commission for Culture and the Arts Chairman Virgilio Almario and Hungarian Ambassador to the Philippines Ambassador József Bencze also signed on Monday the Cultural Cooperation Program for 2017 to 2018.
The program “calls for exchanges between art/cultural professionals and organizations in both countries in the areas of creative and performing arts (i.e. literature, fine arts, music, dance, theater, cinema, publishing) museology, and archives, among other fields,” according to the PCO statement.
Fight against terrorism
Szijjártó also expressed Hungary’s intent to assist the country in the fight against terrorism.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines is combating the terror group Maute gin Mindanao that is linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
“We understand you have a struggle to fight against a terrorist organization here which is linked somehow to ISIS,” said Szijjártó. “Hungary takes the fight against ISIS very seriously.”
Hungary is a member of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS. Szijjártó said his country deployed 150 troops to Iraq to fight against terror. He added that the Hungarian government is looking into “(increasing) their number to 200, and (expanding) our mandate until the end of 2019.”
