For H.E. Dr Petra Ponevács-Pana, the Ambassador of Hungary to Malaysia, it is quite fitting that Malaysia is her first ambassadorial posting since joining the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 2014. As she told International Business Review, “The friendliness and politeness of the Malaysian people along with the diversity of Malaysian culture are what made me want to come serve here.”
As the Ambassador prepares to mark her third year in Malaysia, having been appointed to her post in September 2020, she reflects on how ties between Hungary and Malaysia have developed since then.
Heroes’ Square is known for its Millennium Monument. It was constructed in 1896 to commemorate the 1000th monument is a symbol of national pride and remembrance. It has also witnessed significant political and historical events.
Lake Balaton is not only a natural attraction but also a cultural and historical treasure for Hungary. Its stunning beauty, mild climate, and diverse recreational opportunities make it a hotspot for tourists. It has also been a source of inspiration for Hungarian poets, writers, and artists for centuries.
Dancing is a core element of Hungarian culture. There are five basic types of traditional dance here: round dances; jumping dances; men’s dances; slow and fast couples dances; and stick dances.
Opportunities for Cooperation
Hungary, the Ambassador reveals, places great emphasis on developing relations with Asia, and Malaysia is an important player in that endeavour. This is reflected in the fact that in 2022, Malaysia was Hungary’s second largest trading partner from ASEAN.
Ambassador Ponevács-Pana also believes that Malaysia stands to benefit from advances that Hungarian businesses have made in various cutting-edge technologies, particularly in agriculture, water management, IT and cybersecurity.
“This is why we (the Embassy of Hungary in Malaysia) are participating in the Smart Nation Expo for the second year in a row, which will be taking place in Kuala Lumpur in September., This is the platform to connect stakeholders with innovative smart technology solutions providers, and we are pleased to be able to bring several returning Hungarian companies to the event,”
the Ambassador smiles.
Among these companies are those actively involved in smart ICT and green technology such as ACPM IT, EPS Global, greeHill, Neumann Technological Platform and Teqtos. All of whom can, the Ambassador says, “accelerate Malaysia’s digitalisation and green transition efforts, which are promising frontiers for bilateral economic collaboration.”
And on the subject of green transition, Ambassador Ponevács-Pana is also pleased to reveal that her homeland occupies a unique position in the fast rising electric vehicles (EV) market as the fourth largest EV battery producer in the world.
“This has come as a result of our government’s decision to ramp up our EV battery manufacturing capacity. Because of this, EV batteries have become Hungary’s number one export product over the past 18 months. And we have projects in the pipeline that will help us advance to become the world’s second largest producer. I am pleased to note that our countries share a similar vision about the important of EVs in the energy transition agenda,” she tells International Business Review.
Budapest University of Technology and Economics, founded in 1782, is the most prestigious university of technology in Hungary. Currently, over 1000 international students, including Malaysians, are studying here.
Hungary Welcomes Investment
Having such commonalities has made the Ambassador confident that Hungary and Malaysia can further enhance economic and trade relations. This is why she is optimistic about the prospects of the Hungarian-Malaysian Joint Economic Committee, which will work to strengthen ties between businesses from both countries.
Ambassador Ponevács-Pana also extends a welcome for Malaysian businesses to expand into Hungary, highlighting several factors as to why the country is an ideal hub to penetrate into the European Union.
“Since 2010, the Hungarian government has introduced several pro-investor initiatives to attract more investments. As a result, we welcomed more than euro 6.5 billion (RM32.9 billion) worth of investments in 2022, which resulted in the creation of 15,000 new jobs,” she proudly reveals.
The Hungarian Parliament building sits gorgeously by the bank of the Danube River. It was designed by the renowned architect, Imre Steindl, and built in 1896.
Rich Culture and Heritage
Beyond its economic attractions, Hungary is also a unique land of culture and nature. Being a proud Magyar (Hungarian), Ambassador Ponevács-Pana is keen to show off the charms of her homeland, saying “I would like to invite Malaysians to come and experience the beauty and rich culture of Hungary. Of course, there is our capital city Budapest, which has many architectural marvels as well as a vibrant nightlife. Our countryside is equally attractive with a lot of natural allure,” she says proudly.
Hungary is also renowned for its tastes. Hungarian cuisine, flavoursome and zesty, along with its world-class wines, promises a gastronomic journey of excellence. The country’s thermal baths and Central Europe’s largest lake, Balaton, offer relaxation and adventure, appealing to a diverse range
of tourists.
Education is one of the areas in which the Ambassador hopes to strengthen ties between Malaysia and Hungary. “Every year, the Hungarian government provides full scholarships to 40 high-performing Malaysian students to study in the best universities in Hungary as part of the prestigious Stipendium Hungaricum programme. Not only does this give them the opportunity to tap into our top-notch education infrastructure, it also deepens cultural exchange and solidify the bonds of friendship between our nations,” she tells International Business Review.
From the enchanting attractions of Budapest’s architectural wonders dancing alongside the Danube and the allure of Hungary’s countryside to the nurturing of talent through educational scholarships and thriving economic collaborations, Hungary and Malaysia are reaping the mutually beneficial ties. H.E Dr. Petra Ponevacs-Pana’s insights reveal not just a promising present but an even more fruitful future solidified by cultural exchange, trade resilience, and shared aspirations.