During recent years, Hungary has moved from being one of the worst performing European countries to become one of the frontrunners of the EU, a result of the Government’s consistent economic policy, Government Spokesperson András Giró-Szász stated at a joint press conference on Friday. He emphasised that the Hungarian Government is convinced that the measures requested by the European Commission are unnecessary, as budget targets will be met without difficulty.
State Secretary for External Economic Relations and Foreign Affairs Péter Szijjártó negotiated with South American and Caribbean ambassadors in Hungary.
As from 1 May 2013, the Government has increased to 5% the interest subsidy provided for the facilities of Széchenyi Investment Loan, Széchenyi Own Contribution Supplementary Loan and Széchenyi Subsidy Advance Loan. The more favourable financing possibilities may contribute to the investment spirit of domestic small and medium enterprises, this way supporting the development of Hungarian economy. Due to the rate of interest subsidy exceeding that of the current base rate of the bank of issue, Hungarian companies may obtain a loan at an interest of less than 0.4% per month in the scheme.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has asked Minister of National Economy Mihály Varga to work out new measures to ensure Hungary's exit from the Excessive Deficit Procedure, Government Spokesperson András Giró-Szász said on Thursday. The Hungarian Prime Minister attended a board meeting of the ruling Fidesz party earlier on Thursday, focusing on necessary steps in connection with the EU procedure, he added.
The State Secretary for External Economic Relations and Foreign Affairs Péter Szijjártó declared at the press conference of the Hungarian Investment and Trade Agency that the top priority of Hungarian economic policy this year is to facilitate growth and achieving this requires the successful implementation of the Opening to the East policy.
200 activists from the Hungarian Cyclists’ Club served breakfast to people who cycled to work today as part of the Bike to Work (Bringázz a Munkába!) campaign, which is also supported by the Ministry of National Development.
The European Commission has recently published its Spring Forecast for 2013. This contains key macro-economic data, including facts for 2012 and estimates for 2013 and 2014, as well as short evaluations on each European Union member state.
Enikő Győri, Minister of State in charge of EU affairs, stated that the report prepared by European Parliament Rapporteur Rui Tavares was without precedent within the European Union. The Hungarian Minister of State pointed out that the report - which was strongly critical of the state of the rule of law in Hungary - concerns issues that fall within the scope of national competence.
The government is preparing to launch a programme to promote births in the second half of 2013, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced at a Christian forum.
Foreign Minister János Martonyi held talks with Silvan Shalom, Minister for Energy and Water Affairs, who represented the Israeli Government at the Assembly of the Jewish World Congress in Budapest.