The first direct freight train from Xi’an arrives in Budapest
After 20 days on the tracks, the first direct freight train from China to Hungary arrived its destination on the 21st of April. In the 41 wagons of the train from Xi’an, China, once the start point of the Silk Road to Budapest, Hungary, where shipped electronics, clothing, toys and steel products worth more than 1 million US dollars.
The 650-meters long train traveled around 10.000 kilometers, passing through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland and Slovakia before arriving at Mahart Container Center terminal in the Port of Budapest. Ekol Hungary organized the delivery.
Deputy Secretary of State Tamas Molnar, who is responsible for customs and international affairs of the Ministry of National Economy, Duan Jielong, Chinese Ambassador to Hungary, along with representatives from Mahart Container Center and Ekol Hungary marked the arrival of the train
“The arrival of the train is the symbol of the revival of the old Silk Road from an economic aspect,” Deputy Secretary of State Tamas Molnar said at a welcoming reception of the train. “This route plays a very important role in the bilateral trade and I hope that our mutual efforts and cooperation will lead to new results,” he added.
Hungarian state-owned railways MÁV, the China Railway International Corporation and China Railway International Group set up a joint venture late last year and preparations are underway to upgrade the Hungarian section of the Budapest-Belgrade line, which will become part of a transport corridor for Chinese goods bound for Europe.
