The area’s business appeal is further increased by the construction of the northern part of the ring road around Kecskemét, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and External Economic Relations Péter Szijjártó stated at the project's foundation stone laying ceremony on Monday. As Kecskemét has become one of centres of the Hungarian automobile industry, the Government is giving priority to investments in the area, he added.

The State Secretary underlined: the road, which will be completed in mid-2015 with an investment of HUF 13.6 billion (€46m), will further increase the business appeal of the county seat and the surrounding area. The 10km long connection between the main roads 44 and 5 is expected to draw more investors from the automobile industry, creating more jobs. This sector of industry is becoming increasingly important to the country, with over 600 firms operating in Hungary providing over 100.000 jobs. The accumulated production revenue reaches 15 HUF billion (€50m), 92% of which constitute exports.

Mr. Szijjártó pointed out that the development of the Hungarian economy and the automobile industry are inseparable. Accordingly, the Government continuously supports the growth and development of the industry with measures such as the job-friendly tax system, the introduction of the most flexible labour regulations in Europe and the renewal of the vocational training system. As a result, foreign investments tripled in 2012, making Hungary the most desirable investment location in Central Europe.

(Prime Minister’s Office)