According to Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó, the pharmaceutical industry is one of the break-out sectors of the Hungarian economy, in which all funding provides a return, and accordingly the government will continue to do everything possible to ensure that Hungarian pharmaceutical production remains among the world’s frontrunners.

At the official inauguration of Richter Gedeon Plc.’s new office building in Debrecen on Wednesday, the Minister told reporters that last year the production value of the Hungarian pharmaceutical industry was 910 billion forints (EUR 2.495 billion), which represents an increase of 5 percent compared to the previous year, with an export ratio of 86 percent. “In Hungary, the pharmaceutical industry boasts a long tradition, and the country plays an outstanding role in the world’s pharmaceuticals production, and accordingly the pharmaceutical industry also plays an outstanding role in the performance of the Hungarian economy”, he added.

“The pharmaceutical industry is the Hungarian economy’s most innovative area”, the Minister continued, noting that the pharmaceutical industry spends the most on research & development as a proportion of its turnover, which places Hungary among the frontrunners among the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Mr. Szijjártó also mentioned Hungary’s major pharmaceutical exports: “2000 billion forints worth (EUR 5.48 billion) of pharmaceuticals left Hungary last year, thanks to which, although we may only be in 92nd place in the world with relation to our population, Hungary was able to boast the 19th highest level of  pharmaceutical industry exports in 2019”. “Hungarian pharmaceutical industry exports have increased by 93 percent over a period of ten years”, he added.

“The pharmaceutical industry was also able to realise development during the the coronavirus epidemic: the performance of the Hungarian pharmaceutical industry increased by seven percent during the first eight months of this year, and the number of people working in the sector has increased to 25 thousand”, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade indicated. “These records could not have come about without Richter, which is not only Hungary’s largest pharmaceutical company, but also one of the most significant, successful and innovative pharmaceutical industry companies in Europe and our ‘regional multinational’, which in addition to Hungary is also operating successfully in Western Europe, Latin America, Russia and China, and today, 90 percent of Richter’s profits are generated abroad”, he added. “Last year, Richter Gedeon Plc. realised a record turnover of 508 billion forints (EUR 1.39 billion), and it is present in forty countries with over 200 pharmaceuticals and 13 thousand employees”, Mr. Szijjártó pointed out at the official inauguration of the 3500 square metre office block, also highlighting that in recent years Richter has realised 15 billion forints (EUR 41.1 million) worth of capacity increasing and technology-developing investment projects in Debrecen, towards which the government has provided 5 billion forints (EUR 13.7 million) in funding, thanks to which 125 new workplaces have also been created.

The region’s Member of Parliament Lajos Kósa (Fidesz) praised the fact that Richter has been continuously realising development in Debrecen since 2012. “The cooperation between Richter and the city, and the government funding received, are contributing to enabling Debrecen to be the engine of the 21st century Hungarian economy”, he noted. Mayor of Debrecen László Papp (Fidesz-KDNP) said the investments arriving in the city, including Richter’s continuous development, confirm that Debrecen is an outstandingly competitive, innovative city, the further guarantors of which include the high level of development of its industrial infrastructure, the presence of a skilled workforce, and the knowledge base of the city’s university.

President of Richter Gedeon Plc. Erik Bogsch highlighted: “This inauguration ceremony represents another important station in our aspiration to provide a competitive and inspiring environment for our highly skilled staff, with which we are able to keep both talented fresh graduates and experienced professional in Hungary”. CEO Gábor Orbán added: “Our investments in Debrecen have led to the establishment of Hungary’s only biotechnology facility, which is unique within the Central and Eastern European region with relation to the fact that cell line research & development, production, filling and quality control all occur in one place”. In addition to the 68 new office workstations, the 3500 square metre, multilevel office complex also includes a restaurant, a conference hall, meeting rooms that are equipped with state-of-the-art infocommunications technology, and occupational medicine clinic, separate spaces for HVAC and electrical systems, and a server room.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade / MTI)