“Government measures that are adapting to changes in the global economy and global politics are making enterprises stronger and more competitive”, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó stressed at the official foundation stone laying ceremony of Materiál-Plastic Ltd’s capacity-increasing and job-creating development project on Thursday in Soltvadkert.

Mr. Szijjártó said that rapid changes are going on in the world in an order of magnitude that has not been seen for a very long time: new technologies are becoming the criteria for success and highly significant processes within the global economy and global politics are shaping the future of Hungary. The Government and company directors can provide only one good response to this, he said: instead of complaining they are adapting to the changed conditions. “Hungary’s government is one of the frontrunners in this field, and is creating a financial, job market and digital environment for enterprises that establishes and reinforces the competitiveness of Hungarian businesses both at home and internationally”, Mr. Szijjártó explained.

“Lowering corporation tax to 9 percent, the lowest level in Europe, support for technological investments and the reduction of employer social contributions are also helping Hungarian enterprises stand their ground in the heavy international competition”, that Minister stressed. “And the fact that by next year 30 megabit/second broadband internet access will be available throughout Hungary means we will be two years ahead of our competitors”, he added.

At the event, Mr. Szijjártó also spoke about the fact that the globalised world has become constricted and far-away events are now also affecting us. “If someone wants to be successful, them must make courageous decisions”, he declared, citing as an excellent example the largest enterprise in Soltvadkert, which was launched from a garage with four staff members in 1989 and has since grown to become a supplier for, amongst others, Szentkirályi mineral water and Coca-Cola.

“To maintain its market position, Materiál-Plastik Limited has also had to continuously expand and develop, and the Government is contributing 1.4 billion forints in funding towards the company’s latest 3.1 billion forint investment”, Mr. Szijjártó told the press.

The Minister stressed that the investment, which involves the construction of a 6000 square metre production hall and is creating 66 new jobs, will double the company’s production capacity and multiply its export activities. “This will mean the establishment of Hungary’s leading plastic foil production base in Soltvadkert and open the way for the company to break into the US and Russian markets”, he said.

At the ceremony, owner of the company Zoltán Garami said those involved were laying the foundation stone for the largest investment to date by the enterprise. Mr. Garami indicated that the company markets its products to practically every country in the EU, as well as to countries outside the EU such as Trinidad and Tobago, and since last year it has been shipping an annual 1000 tons of packaging materials to Algeria. In 2016, the company’s net turnover approached 5 billion forints, and according to plans will exceed 5.5 billion forints this year, he continued, adding that last year 25 percent of turnover was derived from exports, and this figure is expected to increase by 15-20 percent this year.

Materiál Plastik Ltd’s most important export target countries are France, Germany, Holland, Austria, Switzerland and Romania, and the company currently employs 106 people.

(MTI)