The Government considers small and medium-sized enterprises strategic partners and is designing its plans in a way to boost employment and economic growth around SMEs, Minister of State for Economic Regulation Kristóf Szatmáry said on Monday.
Before 2010, enterprises were not given the respect they deserved, Mr Szatmáry told a press conference, adding that they were in a difficult situation not only because of the crisis but because they were depended on large multinationals and banks.
Among the government measures introduced to help SMEs since 2010, he mentioned the 10% corporate tax applicable up to 500 million forints annual revenue instead of the earlier 50 million and the abolition of ten small taxes. The introduction of optional new tax types has made life easier for SMEs and steps have been taken to discontinue debt chains, he added.
Prior to 2010 shortage of credit and high lending rates made financing difficult for SMEs, but the Government has gradually expanded its Széchenyi Card scheme, which gives employees a range of non-salary benefits, and the Central Bank has introduced the credit for growth scheme, Mr Szatmáry said.
(Ministry for National Economy)
