Taiwan's ties with Hungary are growing fast, which is good news for Taiwanese exporters and companies looking for a foothold in the European Union.

• Trade between Taiwan and Hungary grew more than 230% in the first eight months of the year.
• Hungary is now Taiwan's fourth-largest investment market in the EU.
• Since Hungary's April parliamentary election, Taiwanese businesses have been asking more questions about the market, with several trade groups visiting and some firms deciding to invest or expand factories.
• Taiwan's representative in Hungary, Wang Yi-lung, tied the relationship to shared democratic values, pointing to Taiwan's support for Hungary's 1956 uprising, now 70 years ago.
• Culture is part of the push too, from Taiwanese films and contemporary art shows in Budapest to a local coffee chain selling a Taiwanese pumpkin spice matcha latte.

Outlook: More Taiwanese investment in Hungary looks likely as the new government courts foreign money in higher-value industries.