Finance Minister Mihály Varga and Kazakh Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi reviewed cooperation in the areas of education and culture, as well as economy, at the meeting.

Varga noted that pharmaceuticals and healthcare supplies accounted for 70pc of Hungary's exports to Kazakhstan in the first half of the year, but said farming, the food industry, water management, waste management, energy and ITC are also promising areas for Hungarian companies that want to sell their products and services in the country.

Varga said 50 Hungarian business leaders participated at a Hungarian-Kazakh business forum at which a number of agreements were reached with local business partners.

Hungary's Rex-San is in talks on delivering hospital beds and rehabilitation equipment to Kazakhstan, he added.