At the meeting of the Committee on Economics of the National Assembly, Minister of National Development Miklós Seszták said that gas storage facilities in Hungary are 48% full.

Together with this and the expansion of procurement sources, energy supply is ensured for the winter.

He explained that the Ministry of National Development ensured energy security for Hungary in 2014 and 2015 as well. Last year, gas storage facilities of 6.5 billion m3 capacity were 60% full.

At his annual hearing, the Minister highlighted that the Ministry of National Development made full use of EU funds within its competence in the 2007–2013 EU development period and reported no losses of funds.

At the meeting of the Committee on Sustainable Development of the National Assembly, the Minister said he believed that Hungary would reduce pollutant emission by 20% and 40% by 2020 and 2040, respectively.
The Minister also said that since 2014, as part of the ‘Otthon Melege’ (Warmth of Home) Programme, HUF 15 billion have been spent on the replacement of energy efficient household appliances. As a result, energy efficiency has improved in 85 000 households.

Mr. Seszták said that Hungary can certainly meet the 14.6% target for the use of renewable energy it undertook by 2020, maybe even by 2018 or 2019, since in 2013, this share was 9.8% contrary to the 7.8% target previously committed to. In 2014 it was 11.1% and in the 2014–2020 period, EU funds of HUF 750 billion are available for this purpose.

The Minister also mentioned the improvement of industrial parks for the facilitation of which a state-owned company of a share capital of HUF 10 billion will be established.

Mr. Seszták emphasised that from 1 January 2016 waste management will be renewed. A holding-based non-profit system will be introduced, which is possible to join on a voluntary basis.

The Minister recalled in front of both Committees that Hungary has become a member of the European Space Agency. This makes it possible for Hungarian companies to use 100% of the money paid under the programmes.

In addition, he highlighted the reinforcement of consumer protection. He said that recently more strict requirements have been introduced for sales promotions. As an example, he mentioned that no loan agreements can be concluded at these promotions, and that the companies concerned must have customer services available.

Within the field of transportation, the Minister mentioned the development of railways in which they intend to invest HUF 1 000 billion between 2014 and 2020.

The possibility of electronic auctions has been established in asset management, Mr. Seszták said.

He mentioned that the asset management agency had received 30 000 real property offerings until October 2015, and that it ensures the housing of 100 000 individuals.

The Minister drew attention to the importance of fund resources directly obtainable from the EU in the 2014–2020 period. In order to ensure successful fundraising, the Hungarian Development Center has been established. On the website of the Center, tenders published in English are translated and published in Hungarian within 24 hours.

(Ministry of National Development)