Large, foreign-owned businesses were the most confident, both in terms of their production potential and on new hires, said MKIK president Laszlo Parragh.

About 15% more companies in the survey said they planned to add new staff than those that expected to cut their workforce. The last time that happened was in 2006, Parragh added. Demand for skilled workers and professionals with university degrees was high.

Employment state secretary Sandor Czomba said the cabinet aims to launch several new projects in 2011, financed from the Labour Fund, aimed at helping young graduates, those living in rural areas and people over 50 to find jobs.

Stating that resources should be concentrated on job creation at SMEs, Czomba said the cabinet will devote special attention to that in its new Szechenyi plan."

Source: Hungary Around the Clock.

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