Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor hosts investment meeting with Hungarian Minister Peter Szijjártó

Al Habtoor Group Chairman Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor today welcomed Peter Szijjártó, Hungary’s Minister of State for Foreign and External Economic Affairs, at the Al Habtoor Group head office on Al Wasl Road. Szijjarto was first elected as a Member of the Hungarian Parliament in April 2002 and is currently serving his third term after being elected in 2006 and 2010.

Other senior Hungarian officials were also in attendance including Szilárd Benkö, Head of Cabinet; Dr Zsuzsanna Horváth, Deputy State Secretary for External Economic Relations and Péter Bilek, Vice President, Hungarian Investment and Trade Agency. Accompanying the delegates were officials from the Hungarian Embassy in Abu Dhabi; His Excellency János Gyuris, Ambassador; Attila Toth, Deputy Head of Mission and Consul; Balázs Gerstl, Economic Counsellor and . Béla Velez, Cultural Counsellor. Present from the Al Habtoor Group were Mohammed Al Habtoor, Vice Chairman and CEO; Paul Rayner, Advisor to the Chairman; Maan Halabi, Executive Director; Sanjeev Agarwala, Director Strategy & Business Development and Yusef Shalabi, Technical Advisor to the Chairman.

The meeting was aimed at strengthening relations between the Al Habtoor Group and Hungary, potential investment opportunities and future cooperation in the real estate sector in the UAE and Hungary. The Al Habtoor Group is already invested in Hungary. In May 2012 it acquired the historic Le Méridien Budapest, a stunning five-star establishment in the heart of Budapest just minutes away from the River Danube. The hotel is managed by Starwood Hotels & Resorts under the Le Méridien brand. It has 218 bedrooms - all of which combine luxury with comfort and modern features.

Al Habtoor said, “There are many opportunities for Hungarian companies in the United Arab Emirates.  Our economy is strong and the UAE is on a growth trajectory. There are plenty of investment opportunities here for international investors.”

He added, “The Al Habtoor Group is very pleased with our current investment in Hungary. Le Méridien Budapest is a historic building. We as a Group are always looking to strengthen ties in countries we are invested in. It was a pleasure to welcome our guests today. I believe there are more opportunities for us in Hungary and we are currently studying other opportunities.”

The Chairman also urged the Hungarian delegation to start marketing their country and attending travel market exhibitions to show the world what Hungary has to offer. He urged them to draw on the successful marketing campaigns used by the UAE’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).

Al Habtoor said the meeting was full of positivity from both parties. “Hungary is full of potential. It is one of my favorite tourism destinations due to its beautiful nature, rich history, welcoming people and good food. What more can one ask for? Once the world knows more about it treasures, people will be pouring in from all over the world.”