Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó concluded capacity enlargement agreements with American companies in Chicago on Friday, aimed at creating more new jobs in Hungary.
The Minister met with the heads of eight American corporations from the automotive, chemical and farm machinery industries, who are engaged in business activities in Hungary, Mr. Szijjártó told Hungarian news agency MTI by phone.
"We signed agreements on the enlargement of their activities in Hungary, on the basis of which we can announce that American investments in Hungary will create some 1000 new jobs already this year.” he said.
According to the Minister, his American negotiating partners voiced their satisfaction with the Hungarian production and investment environment. Mr. Szijjártó informed them that personal income tax is expected to fall again next year and the Government is committed to further reducing energy tariffs, because "overpriced energy is Europe’s biggest disadvantage compared to the USA”.
"Since there is no joint European strategy for cutting energy costs, Hungary set out to reduce energy prices on its own”, the Minister said.
Also on Friday, Péter Szijjártó met with Mayor of Chicago Rahm Emanuel, with whom he discussed economic and cultural cooperation between the Midwestern United States and Hungary. Mayor Emanuel spoke approvingly about the revival and diversity of Jewish culture in Hungary.
The parties confirmed their cooperation with relation to the 35-40 thousand strong Hungarian community living in and around Chicago, whom Mayor Emanuel assured of his highest consideration, in addition to voicing his appreciation of the fact that Hungary has reopened its Consulate General in the city.
Hungary’s head diplomat is due to speak at the 70th General Debate of UN General Assembly in New York on Saturday. He will be primarily speaking about the global challenges, such as increasingly difficult access to water, climate change and protracted armed conflicts, which are expected to lead to increased migratory pressure on Europe in the near future, the Minister said.
"In our opinion, the UN is the best framework for providing a global response to the global challenge posed by migration”, Mr. Szijjártó emphasized.