The Hungarian–Kyrgyz Business Forum, jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary and HEPA Hungarian Export Promotion Agency (HEPA), took place in Budapest on 21 November 2025, bringing together key government representatives and business leaders to deepen bilateral economic cooperation.
The event’s importance was highlighted by the presence of His Excellency Bakyt Sydykov, Minister of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic. The Hungarian delegation was led by Boglárka Illés, State Secretary for Bilateral Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, while HEPA was represented by Dr. Gábor Péter Artner, Deputy CEO.
In her opening remarks, Boglárka Illés emphasized the impressive momentum in Hungarian–Kyrgyz economic relations. Over the past year Hungarian exports to Kyrgyzstan grew by 56%, while bilateral trade turnover increased by 55%. She also welcomed the strengthening of the strategic partnership established in 2020, which was elevated to a new level in 2024. Cooperation has since broadened significantly, now covering agriculture, food industry, pharmaceuticals, water management, energy, IT and tourism.
Speaking on behalf of HEPA, Dr. Gábor Péter Artner highlighted the strong performance of Hungarian companies in Kyrgyzstan, particularly in the fields of energy, water management, the food industry, and healthcare.
These achievements reflect the deepening and tangible progress of economic cooperation between the two countries.
He also underscored the importance of joint projects developed with the professional contribution of the Drought Prevention Institute (DPI). These initiatives aim to promote modern, sustainable agricultural and water management solutions across the region, supporting economic growth, strengthening rural areas and contributing to long-term sustainability goals.
The corporate sector showed significant interest in participating in the forum, with 44 Hungarian and 21 Kyrgyz companies attending. Following the plenary session, targeted B2B meetings enabled businesses to explore concrete partnership opportunities and identify new avenues of collaboration.
The forum clearly demonstrated that both countries remain committed to deepening their economic partnership. HEPA continues to play a pivotal role in supporting Hungarian companies in establishing stable, long‑term, value‑creating international collaborations, extending Hungary’s global economic footprint.