Debrecen4U April 10, 2026

Economic Boom in Debrecen: SME Park Phase II Begins, Industrial Output Up by 50 Percent

Industrial production in Debrecen has increased by 50 percent in the period so far this year compared to the same period last year. This indicates that the city and Hajdú-Bihar County are driving the Hungarian economy forward, as stated at a press conference on April 9 on the development of the second phase of the SME Park. The investment will be carried out over an area of 11 hectares.

Agroszika Kft. moved into its Debrecen site last year. Engaged in logistics, civil engineering and demolition, the company relocated from its base in Derecske to the Southern Economic Zone, where it currently employs 25 people. “We have created an exceptionally successful site of which we are very proud. It is excellent not only aesthetically but also in terms of functionality; our colleagues like it, and its accessibility is ideal,” Krisztina Hajdú-Kalmár, Managing Director of Agroszika Kft., said.

In addition to this company, a further 15 businesses are operating in the 16-hectare area developed during the first phase of the SME Park. Together, they are implementing investments worth HUF 13.2 billion and creating 256 new jobs in the city. However, development is continuing: the second phase of the SME Park is already under preparation, covering 11 hectares for the creation of approximately 20 plots.

Deputy Mayor Lajos Barcsa highlighted that economic growth directly strengthens local communities. “When a local business grows, it can employ more people, provide higher wages and offer more stable livelihoods. Most importantly, the income generated remains within the local area and returns to Debrecen’s families and communities,” he emphasised.

According to Mayor László Papp, the current developments will determine the city’s future in the long term and elevate Debrecen into one of Central Europe’s key economic centres. “We have not focused solely on large multinational companies, but also on local small and medium-sized enterprises. Our aim has been to provide them with the same development opportunities as large corporations,” he added.

At the event, the State Secretary responsible for the development of SMEs and technology Richárd Szabados stressed that one of the main objectives of foreign investment is to strengthen domestic companies and, through them, the performance of the Hungarian economy. It was noted that the SME sector accounts for 54 percent of GDP, and therefore receives priority support.

“Over the past year and a half, approximately HUF 2,100 billion has been allocated to the development of small and medium-sized enterprises. Nearly 40,000 companies have gained access to funding, whether in the form of preferential loans or non-repayable grants. Considering both EU co-financed and domestic budget programmes, we have experienced an unprecedented period in business development,” he said.

He added that, as a result of these investments, the number of businesses has stabilised, and around 8,000 to 9,000 micro‑enterprises have moved up a level, continuing their operations as small and medium‑sized enterprises.

Source and photo credit: dehir.hu