In Hungary micro, small and medium-sized enterprises represent 99.8% of the enterprises. As a priority the government and the Ministry for National Development and Economy continues to pay special attention to the strengthening of these enterprises. Expending export possibilities mean the single way to develop the Hungarian economy of relatively narrow domestic market. Aims set by the Strategy for the Development of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises which was approved by the Hungarian government on 10 October 2007, is to be fulfilled by a development programme called New Hungary Enterprise Programme. In addition to financial programmes, soft services, such as assistance for legal, marketing and internationalisation issues should be provided to SMEs.

The most important elements of the assistance granted to SMEs:

1. Financial instruments subsidized by the state – New Hungary Micro Credit Programme and Portfolio Guarantee Programme

Within the frameworks of the JEREMIE initiative the New Hungary Micro Credit Programme and Portfolio Guarantee Programme was introduced at the end of 2007. These programmes, subsidized by EU and budgetary funds, allow Hungarian entrepreneurs to obtain micro credits, portfolio guarantees and from the second half of 2008 also venture capital. With the help of the private funds of mediator institutions and by repeated outplacements the available HUF 200 billion can be multiplied.

Among small and medium-sized enterprises the so called Széchenyi Card is very popular providing them with freely usable credit to manage liquidity risks. In 2007 more than 19 500 enterprises received Széchenyi Card allocating credits of almost HUF129 billion to them. To card holders HUF 2 billion state subsidies were provided.

2. Provisions aim at the development of a supporting regulatory environment – In tune with Business Programme

The aim of the programme is to contribute to the reduction of administrative burdens and to the development of better regulatory environment, herby to increase the competitiveness of the Hungarian economy. With the help of the provisions of the programme starting a business and some business procedures became simpler, cheaper and faster.

3. Tenders of EU and domestic funds – Tenders of the Economic Development Operative Programme 2008

Tenders aiming at the modernisation of companies’ technology and IT were expanded by research, development and innovation tenders in 2008 offering new elements. On the one hand, big corporations are also included in the beneficiaries of the tenders; on the other hand the tender for the development of pole innovation clusters became the accentuated element of the Pole Programme.