Debrecen4U April 15, 2026

Incoming PM Péter Magyar on CATL: We will ensure that an investment compliant with environmental regulations is implemented

These investments will be reviewed; not with the aim of undermining them or preventing them from being realised but to ensure that investments go ahead which comply with European Union and Hungarian environmental regulations. This was stated by incoming Prime Minister Péter Magyar, President of Tisza Party, at his international press conference in connection with CATL and BYD.

CATL, which is building a factory in Debrecen, achieved a 50 per cent share of the Chinese battery manufacturing market in the first quarter of this year.

At the President of Tisza Party’s international press conference, topics included investments in Hungary by Chinese and South Korean companies. Regarding BYD and CATL, Péter Magyar said that regulations must be complied with, whether these concern environmental protection, occupational safety, or freedom from corruption. “We will review these investments, but not with the aim of bringing them down or preventing them from going ahead; rather, to ensure that investments are realised which comply with European Union and Hungarian environmental regulations, health regulations, occupational safety requirements, and which contribute to the performance of the Hungarian national economy,” he emphasised.

Péter Magyar stated that the Hungarian government has provided a great deal of funding, substantial state support, tax allowances, and infrastructure investments in order to attract these companies to Hungary. In his view, this in itself is not a problem if there is added value for the Hungarian national economy, if supply chains can be developed, if Hungarian small and medium-sized enterprises can participate as suppliers, if a value chain is established, and if such investments genuinely contribute to the Hungarian economy, Hungary’s GDP, and the well-being of Hungarian citizens.

“We will prioritise Hungarian small and medium-sized enterprises, and we would like to place Hungarian companies in a favourable position—whether at BYD, CATL, or other major investors—and I believe we will be able to cooperate,” he stressed.

The politician stated that they do not want, and will not accept, a situation in which foreign companies come to Hungary, receive substantial state support, and yet employ very few Hungarian workers. Such companies would offer no added value to the Hungarian economy while potentially endangering the cleanliness of Hungarian land, air, and water, the safety of workers—often guest workers brought in from Asia—or the health and safety of people living near the factories.

In response to a Chinese journalist, Péter Magyar also explained that China is one of the largest, strongest, and most important countries in the world. He believes it is in the interest of both parties to visit one another; he would be very willing to travel to Beijing and would also welcome Chinese leaders to Hungary.

He added that investors are warmly welcomed, provided that common interests can be found. “I believe it is in China’s interest, as well as ours, that we are able to cooperate very effectively, and that both countries and their companies benefit mutually. This is what we will work towards,” he concluded.

Source: dehir.hu | Photo credit: Papp László (Facebook)