Greetings from Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Dear Friends,

I am delighted to send this message to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Hungary website and particularly to the Canadians working in Hungary.

Canada and Hungary enjoy close relations, dating back to the late 19th century. The Canadian community in Hungary plays an active role in the fostering of bilateral and trade relations between our two countries.

Our government welcomes your activities, for their positive contributions towards Canada's ambitious free trade agenda that is opening new markets and creating opportunities for Canadian business and jobs for Canadian workers.

We encourage the opportunities the chamber is rolling out for Hungarian and Canadian companies to find mutual business opportunities, not only in Hungary, but also in Canada.

Canadian businesses and workers can compete with the best in the world, confident that their government is focused on economic recovery and sustainable growth.

Canada offers many advantages as an investment destination and partner for global business, including:

• The only G-20 country to eliminate tariffs for manufacturing imports.
• Lowest taxes on new business investment in the G-7;
• Lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in G-7;
• Fastest economic growth in G-7 this year according to the IMF;
• World’s soundest banking system according to World Economic Forum;
• Highest proportion of post-secondary graduates in the OECD;
• The Economist Intelligence Unit highlighted that Canada is the best place to do business in the G7;
• One of most generous research and development (R&D) tax incentives in the world;
• Lowest business and R&D costs in G-7, says KPMG (Competitive Alternatives 2010); and
• Outstanding quality of life.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me, if I can be of any assistance to you as you continue your good work. Please accept my best wishes for a bright and prosperous future.

Sincerely,

HON., Deepak Obhrai
Member of Parliament – Calgary East
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs