The 4th Hungarian-British Business Forum was held in Budapest, jointly organized by the HEPA Hungarian Export Promotion Agency (HEPA), the Hungarian-British Business Association (HBBA) and the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN).
Katalin Bihari, Deputy State Secretary for External Economic Affairs at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary and CEO of HEPA, emphasized that the United Kingdom has become Hungary’s 8th largest foreign investor, with investments amounting to nearly 3.5 billion HUF in 2024. More than 600 British-owned companies operate in Hungary, providing jobs for about 50,000 people.
Hungarian exports to the United Kingdom have increased by 17.3% over the past three years, particularly in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, IT, fintech and the food industry.
HEPA supports the international expansion of Hungarian businesses. As Katalin Bihari highlighted, the mission is clear: every Hungarian company, regardless of size or sector, must have access to the tools, knowledge and international connections necessary for success abroad.
Peter Freedman, former Marketing Director of Aston Martin, drew attention to an interesting fact: when we think of luxury or sports cars, the UK may not be the first country that comes to mind, while the country is traditionally one of the leaders in this elite segment. In his speech, he underlined the importance of stable and secure supply chains. Maintaining competitiveness requires adaptability and cross-border supplier relationships.
The forum featured presentations from nine British and six Hungarian companies.
Dr. Gábor Péter Artner, Deputy CEO of HEPA, emphasized that HEPA not only connects Hungarian and British business partners but also delivers specific results: creating new export opportunities, investments and lasting economic cooperation.
Budapest offers strategic advantages for investors, while London, through HEPA and HBBA, supports Hungarian enterprises.
The event provided an opportunity for 66 Hungarian companies to hold direct negotiations with the 18-member HBBA delegation, further strengthening business ties between the United Kingdom and Hungary.
Participants also met Lukas Haitzmann, an extreme adventurer and three-time Guinness World Record holder, whose story of courage, perseverance and determination inspired everyone in attendance.