The Chamber, which was renewed a year ago, is providing more and more help to businesses

The new presidency started its work with ambitious plans in order to achieve its goals at the end of 2024. The most important goal was to build an organization that was much more dynamic than the previous ones, providing real and tangible support to the membership.

With the chamber renaissance, MKIK put the entrepreneur at the center, just as the renaissance put the person at the center. This is a fundamental change in perspective compared to the previous ones.

This spring, a 5-year agreement was reached with specific commitments between the Chamber and the Government of Hungary. The result of this is the fixed 3% Széchenyi Card loan interest rate or the 100 billion forint Demján Sándor Capital Program, which is a huge step in supporting domestic businesses.

As part of the same Government-Chamber agreement

• The value of the value added tax (VAT) exemption for individuals will gradually increase to 20 million forints in 2026, then to 22 million in 2027, and to 24 million forints in 2028, which will allow allows more small businesses to be exempt from VAT.
• In the case of sole proprietors who choose flat-rate taxation, the deductible cost ratio will increase, thereby reducing their tax base and more favorable tax conditions will come into effect.
• The 112.5 percent multiplier will be abolished when calculating the social contribution tax base for sole proprietors with a main occupation, which will simplify the determination of the tax base.
• The range of KIVA beneficiaries will expand, especially affecting medium-sized businesses, which is expected to result in 10-15 billion forints of additional revenue for those affected, which will reduce the tax burden on businesses.

It is important that the Chamber considers each business size and segment as unique The government has made and continues to make proposals to the government taking into account its needs. The cabinet’s latest tax package will leave Hungarian businesses with 80-90 billion forints next year.

In the near future, the performance of certain public tasks may be transferred to the Chamber, and further reduction and simplification of administration is expected in the sectors related to tourism, hospitality and trade.

In the past year, the Chamber has concluded additional cooperation agreements with

• the National Tax and Customs Administration,
• the Hungarian National Bank,
• the Supervisory Authority for Regulated Activities,
• the Hungarian Academy of Arts,
• several major interest groups
• as well as with universities, research institutes, educational companies and training centers.

The Chamber has strengthened its own research system and launched the “Digital Wake-up” seminar series with the participation of several renowned artificial intelligence (AI) experts. The project introduces 10,000 Hungarian enterprises to the conscious, practical application of artificial intelligence. According to research, using AI can achieve a 20-40% increase in efficiency in the operation of enterprises.

The Chamber’s recently created free cybersecurity system called SecureBot informs companies of the types of malicious, external digital attacks they may be exposed to. The program helps SMEs comply with the EU Cybersecurity Directive, NIS2, and the Hungarian Cybersecurity Act.

Elek Nagy, President of MKIK, said: “Today, a knowledge-based Chamber is being built. Relying on the valuable knowledge accumulated in the regional chambers, we are working on a training structure that will be suitable for mass knowledge transfer, similar to the Austrian WIFI system.”

Celebrating the 175th anniversary of its founding this year, MKIK has raised the cooperation between the Chamber and the regional chambers to a different, qualitative level: now, the member organizations have national representation, rather than MKIK’s rural units.

“The goal is a national chamber system that not only represents but also provides tangible assistance, because there is no strong country without strong businesses”

– emphasized Elek Nagy, President of MKIK.