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Government’s regular press briefing – State selling stake in OTP Bank, new tobacco tax, deported migrants
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Budapest, October 29 (MTI) – The government will propose the introduction of a new tobacco tax on types of tobacco products especially harmful to health, the government office chief said on Thursday. Also he said the state is selling its stake in OTP Bank and the government will look to consult interest groups whose members are involved in the use of EU funds four times a year on how to best spend the funds. Lazar said Hungary will not take back any migrants awaiting deportation in other EU countries.
Government to introduce new tobacco tax
Janos Lazar told a regular press conference that the new tax is expected to be 4 forints (EUR 0.01) per cigarette.
The minister also confirmed press reports that the government is considering ways to make large retailers employ more workers.
The previous system of supermarket oversight fees will have to be restored because of an infringement procedure launched by the European Commission, Lazar said. Restoring the earlier unified minimal fee will result in the central budget losing 23 billion forints (EUR 74m) in revenue, he said.
On another subject, Lazar said that the government will discuss on November 4 a document on how to continue the cuts in retail utility prices and how the cuts could be extended to businesses. The proposed steps would constitute a good response to Brussels, which “has attacked” the utility price cuts, he said. The Hungarian state will soon provide energy to all Hungarian households, he added.
Government to consult interest groups on use of EU funds
Janos Lazar told a regular press conference that the government would consult with representative organisations of social groups, small and medium-sized companies and local governments on EU tenders and the use of the funds.
He said the government will call tenders for 2,000 billion forints (EUR 6.4bn) worth of EU funds in 2016, accounting for 20 to 30 percent of funds available for the 2014-2020 funding period.
Lazar confirms state selling stake in OTP Bank
Janos Lazar said the proceeds would be spent on finance investments, adding that details are expected to be released by the development ministry later in the day.
Trading in OTP shares has been suspended for Thursday due to an auction of little more than 5 percent of OTP Bank shares on the Budapest Stock Exchange.
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