For the first time in the Central European region Hungary hosted the World Export Development Forum (WEDF), the flagship event of the Geneva-based International Trade Centre (ITC). One of the world’s leading trade conference was held with the participation of over 600 business leaders, policymakers and officials from trade and investment support institutions and international organizations from 60 countries.
In cooperation with the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the International Trade Centre – the joint trade development organisation of UN and WTO – has organised, on 24-26 October 2017, the 18th World Export Development Forum for the first time in the Central European region in Budapest, Hungary. During the 3 days event 60 countries’ ministers, heads of states, international company leaders and trade experts have debated on the development and integration of small and medium sized companies (SMEs) in the global value chains. The conference focused on several sectors: digital economy, innovation, agribusiness, waste and water management.
The conference was opened by János Áder, President of Hungary, Péter Szijjártó Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary and Arancha González, Director of International Trade Centre.
“Countries are in tough competition with each other with regard to both exports and investments”, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade underlined. Hungary has entered this competition by providing Europe’s lowest rate of corporation and personal income tax, and by supporting international enterprises that would like to invest here and companies that would like to market their products abroad”, he added.
Executive Director of the International Trade Centre Arancha González said that in her opinion the more competitive the small and medium-sized enterprises in a country, the greater the potential for economic growth.
The conference were accompanied by B2B meetings and thematic exhibition, where Hungarian companies had a chance to showcase their technical solutions mainly in the field of agro-food and environmental and water management industries.
„What we have seen here in Budapest is trade in action” Arancha Gonzalez, ITC Executive Director
