It was a busy day in Debrecen for Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade. After the opening of the Vitesco plant came another welcome task: the formal opening of Hajdu-Alu Zrt.'s new production plant in the city.

At the Vágóhíd utca plant, the minister recalled that eighteen months ago there was considerable debate about the best way to handle the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic. The government decided not to abandon the economic strategy that had brought success over the previous 10 to 12 years, and to continue providing people with work rather than benefits. That is how one of the most significant investment incentive and support programmes in Hungarian economic history was assembled, in which 1,435 companies took part, Hajdu-Alu among them.

"Through the investment support provided to them we were able to protect 270,000 jobs. The results are already visible: last year foreign direct investment fell by 42 per cent globally, while in Hungary we recorded 140 per cent growth, and today 36,000 more people are in work than were before the pandemic last year." – Péter Szijjártó added.

In his view, a good basis for rapid economic restart is that those 1,435 companies invested heavily over the past eighteen months in expanding capacity and adopting new technologies. Overtaking on a bend, the minister said, is dangerous and certainly not advisable on the road — but for the Hungarian economy it is proving successful.

Photo: Annamarie Kiss

"Hajdu-Alu Zrt. carried out an investment worth HUF 575 million. The new 3,000 square metre production hall creates scope to modernise manufacturing and shorten production times. Since this investment secures the future of 53 Hajdu-Alu employees, the government is providing HUF 287 million of support," he said. The minister added that the people of Hajdú-Bihar county have good reason to be proud: 48 companies in the county applied for and received support for their investments, worth HUF 24 billion in total.

László Pósán, Member of Parliament for the area, said at the new plant that the presence of Hajdu-Alu products on buildings including the university and the stadium demonstrates how successful a Debrecen business can be. – "It also illustrates what the government is doing on a large scale and the city on a smaller one: reducing our exposure, in economic and other areas. Debrecen was always known for a proper balance in local economic life between outside investors and local businesses growing ever stronger" – he said.

Imre Heim, the company's CEO, recalled that six years ago they set themselves the goal of becoming a metal building component manufacturer able to deliver, to an ever higher standard, the transparent architectural solutions and window and door systems increasingly prominent on buildings. They developed in several stages, and at the start of 2020 the need took shape to focus on expanding the office and production building. Although the pandemic overshadowed their plans, Imre Heim said they did not give up: their application was successful, and with government support construction of the new plant could begin. Production staff — who have already won several construction industry awards and distinctions — will now be working in the new plant.

Photo: Annamarie Kiss

Source: haon.hu