Hungary’s cheap wages, big subsidies and pro-Beijing stance are attracting a wave of Chinese companies looking to expand into Europe
When Agosto Bodo took a job at a Chinese law firm’s Budapest office last year, he found himself catapulted into the centre of a China-fuelled investment boom.
Yingke Law Firm, a major player in Chinese corporate law, had opened the new office to serve a wave of Chinese companies looking to open factories in Hungary. And the business was quickly gaining momentum.
“We helped our clients with sourcing labour, looking for offices – we provided the whole service to help them overcome the language and culture barrier,” Bodo said.
For Bodo, who started as an intern before becoming a director’s assistant, it was an eye-opening experience. He quickly had to learn a new way of doing business, which often revolved around boozy banquets with Chinese executives.
