In his speech delivered at the opening in Soltvadkert of a production facility of Material Plastik Ltd, an enterprise fully owned by Hungarians, Minister for National Economy Mihály Varga said that Hungary has been back among the best performers in Europe and we are regaining the position the country lost in 2002.
Mihály Varga stressed the 2.7 percent growth which the Hungarian economy registered in the fourth quarter of last year is indicating that Hungary’s growth was the fourth largest among the EU28 and with this figure the country is among the best within the Visegrád Four.
The Minister also called it justified that international analysts are also predicting dynamic growth for the Hungarian economy. He added that the economy has been back to a growth path, and in addition to exports expansion is increasing driven by domestic demand and consumption. He mentioned that employment data are also improving, as at the end of 2013 the number of those in employment exceeded 4 million, up by 107 thousand year-on-year. Mihály Varga added that this increase is partly contributable to the public work programme, but the number of people employed within the private sector was also up by 37 thousand. He emphasised that the New Széchenyi Plan will have to be revamped and a new energy policy will have to be implemented.
The Minister pointed out that the family enterprise stemming from Soltvadkert is a good example of the perseverance of Hungarians, as the company not only managed to stay alive during the crisis years, but it evolved, expanded and became a supplier of significant large enterprises in that period.
Fidesz MP and Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture of the National Assembly Sándor Font stressed that 1300 registered enterprises are active in a town of 7600 people, which figure is well above the country average. According to data he quoted, over the past four years enterprises active in the town have received HUF 4bn of EU and Government funding.
Material Plastik Ltd owner Zoltán Garami said at the ceremony for the opening of a production hall and a printing facility that the enterprise was launched in 1989 from the garage of their house. Later on, the Széchenyi Plan helped the company purchase state-of-the-art machinery and equipment. The company has hitherto applied for and won 12 EU tenders. As Zoltán Garami stressed, the current Government’s assistance has been instrumental for the enterprise to become capable of competing with international companies. According to their plans, he added, the current headcount of 80 will be increased after another investment project is completed to more than 100.
The expansion of the production hall cost HUF 220 million, for which the company won funding of HUF 90 million. For the printing machinery the enterprise paid some HUF 700 million, including grants of HUF 150 million. Thanks to the project, the number of employees increased by 18. Besides domestic sales, Material Plastik Ltd exports 30 percent of goods produced. The family enterprises posted net revenues of HUF 2bn in 2011, which amount was increased to HUF 2.2bn in 2012. The company mainly produces plastic packaging materials, such as shopping bags, sacks and foils.
(Ministry for National Economy)
