One of the world’s most famous chocolate manufacturers, Ghraoui Chocolate will implement a greenfield project creating 540 new jobs in Hatvan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó announced.
The Minister highlighted: the company which is one of the world’s most prestigious premium chocolate manufacturers will build a plant with a floor space of 12 thousand square metres as part of a project worth HUF 7.6 billion. According to plans, the new factory will start production in November 2017, and 95 per cent of the chocolate to be made in Hatvan will be exported, Mr Szijjártó added. He indicated: the Government provided an individual grant of HUF 1.5 billion for the purposes of the project.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade pointed out: the fiscal changes concerning businesses which will enter into force as of the beginning of next year, such as the reduction of the corporation tax to a standard, low rate and the reduction of the social contribution, will make the Hungarian economy the EU’s most competitive investment environment.
Mr Szijjártó highlighted: there are dramatic changes of historic significance taking place in the world economy, there are new dimensions emerging, and we must rise to new success criteria. This is also true of the efforts to boost and encourage investments.
The Government has recently been compelled to transcend two „dogmas”: first of all, the dogma that balanced state finances cannot be maintained against the background of economic growth. The Government has demonstrated that economic growth can also be achieved against the background of a disciplined state finances policy on the part of the Cabinet, Mr Szijjártó pointed out.
The Minister stressed: with the measures now implemented, the Government will prove that it is possible to raise the pay of workers and to achieve significant pay rises in a country against the background of improved economic competitiveness and the consolidation of the economy.
Regarding the current investment, he indicated: what is Audi in the automotive industry is Ghraoui Chocolate in the confectionery industry. He said: the chocolate manufacturing company was established in 1805 as a Syrian family business, and the company’s name has been well-known in the Arab world ever since. However, it is now recorded as one of the world’s 5-6 most significant chocolate industry companies, its customers include the world’s most expensive premium hotels and „five-star airlines”. The plant in Hatvan will primarily make premium chocolate and bonbon products, the Minister added.
Mr Szijjártó highlighted: in the context of the Government’s foreign trade policy, the project is also important from the respect of easterly opening. It demonstrates that it successfully manages to attract investors to Hungary from other parts of the Orient, in addition to the Far East.
At the press conference, journalists were informed: it is likewise a remarkable achievement that, after 15 years, the confectionery industry is making a return to Hatvan, and will provide jobs for more than 500 people.
(MTI)
