Hungary last year reached unparalleled success in stimulating foreign investments, Szíjjártó said at a press conference. He said in 2018 Hungary benefited from 98 new large investments with a combined value of HUF 1,380 billion (US$4.9 billion), to which the state’s contribution was HUF 135 billion.

He said the above investments created over 17,000 new jobs with an average monthly salary of HUF 425,700 (US$1,510) which was 40 percent higher than the average in 2017.

Also as a result of the new investments, unemployment in Hungary remained at a 3.6 percent low – equaling full employment – and higher wages also contributed significantly to domestic consumption, one of the drivers of economic growth.