MH-HUNGARY

Hungary pushes for direct Budapest-Mumbai flights
    Mumbai, Jan 16 (PTI) Hungary on Thursday pushed for
direct air connectivity between Budapest and Mumbai, and
acknowledged India's role in promoting investment and creating
new jobs in the central European country.
    There is a great deal of interest among Hungarians in
India for direct air connectivity between Budapest and Mumbai,
said Hungarys Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter
Szijjarto.
    Direct air connectivity will reduce the travel time
between Mumbai to Budapest from the present 10 hours to 7
hours. This will provide a major impetus to business, travel
and tourism between Hungary and India, he said.
    The Hungarian Foreign Minister was speaking after
meeting Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari at Raj
Bhavan here.
    Szijjarto told the governor Hungary was placed 28th in
terms of its economy when it joined the European Union (EU).
    The country has emerged as one of the fastest-growing
economies in the EU and last year it clocked growth rate of
5.1 per cent.
    "Hungary has adopted the policy of Look to the East
and acknowledged the role of India, among other Asian
countries, in promoting investment and creating new jobs in
Hungary, he said.
    Szijjarto informed the governor there has been a
whopping 500 per cent increase in visa applications processed
by the Hungarian Consulate in Mumbai.
    Hungary has emerged as an attractive destination for
shooting of Bollywood films, he said.
    Koshyari assured Szijjarto of his full cooperation in
starting direct flights between Mumbai and Budapest.
    The governor told the visiting minister Maharashtra is
an advanced state in terms of economy, culture and education.
    The state has many places of tourist attraction,
which would be of great interest to travellers from Hungary,
said the governor.
    Ambassador of Hungary to India Gyula Petho and
Hungarys Consul General in Mumbai Ferenc Jari, among others,
were present on the occasion. PTI ND
RSY RSY

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)