Hungarian PM arrives in India on four-day visit

New Delhi, Jan 16: Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany arrived here today on a four-day visit to boost bilateral economic ties.

During Gyurcsany's visit, the two countries are expected to sign a number of agreements in the field of agriculture, animal husbandry and cooperation in scientific and energy sector. Gyurcsany, who is accompanied by a delegation, including Agriculture and Regional Development Minister Jozsef Graf, will attend the CII partnership summit in Gurgaon today. Later today, he will leave for a visit to Banglore and Agra. He will return to the capital tomorrow evening.

Gyurcsany will be a given ceremonial reception at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan on Friday morning. He will meet President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other India leaders on the same day.

Cooperation in civil nuclear area, apart from giving a push to the economic ties, is likely to be on the agenda of talks.

Hungary is a member of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). It is also an important member of the European Union, with which India has a strategic partnership.

Indian exports to Hungary in 2006-07 amounted to 142.5 million dollars, while imports from Hungary were to the tune of 128.3 million dollars.

Several Indian companies have a presence in Hungary in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, IT, power, and auto-components. There are opportunities for further growth in these as well as in the sectors of manufacturing and biotechnology, and promoting two-way tourism.

ANI