Hungarian Conservative

A Ministry of National Economy statement released on Wednesday confirmed that the repurchase of the Ferenc Liszt International Airport continues to progress as scheduled, as opposed to press rumours.

According to the joint statement of the two companies released on Tuesday, Hungarian Cerbona has acquired the trademarks of Boci, Melba, and Párizsi kocka. The transaction will be finalized on 22 May 2024; until then, Nestlé will continue to manufacture the products to ensure the continuity of supply.

Back in May, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán mentioned at the Qatari Economic Forum that there is interest from Qatar towards Budapest Airport, and ‘we would welcome them.’ Now, it appears that the Qatar Investment Authority is joining the deal as a financial or strategic investor, and the possibility of a third terminal is also being considered.

MFAT State Secretary Levente Magyar stated at a press conference on Monday that Stellantis, which owns fourteen automotive brands, has chosen Hungary as the hub for autonomous driving technology and electrification. ‘We are proud that Hungary…has become one of the leading automotive powers in the world in just under 20 years,’ he said, adding that the country is among the top 20 in terms of automotive production.

The new Hungarian owners aim to protect their users by already having local customer service in place for the Jófogás, Vatera.hu, Használtautó.hu, and Ingatlan.com marketplaces. They plan to compete with global players with world-class operations driven by a local touch and understanding of the market. The Ingatlan.com portfolio also includes Money.hu, a site that compares banking, financial, and insurance products, which complements the marketplaces.

Previously, there were discussions of buying out the airport with the participation of Hungarian private investors and major corporations, but despite reportedly advanced negotiations, the transaction was postponed in 2021 citing unfavourable Hungarian and international financial conditions.

The Libri Group is a key player in the Hungarian book retail and publishing market. The group’s significant member, Libri Könyvkereskedelmi Kft., serves millions of customers annually through its nationwide network of 57 bookstores and its online store.

The purchase of the airport has been a hot topic in Hungarian politics for the last few years. Now, it has resurfaced again and it seems that the government has serious intentions to buy it back.