Testifying before parliament's budget committee on Tuesday, National Economy Minister Márton Nagy said Hungary's government aims to stimulate growth and achieve fiscal balance at the same time.
Minister Nagy said putting the budget balance in the black, excluding debt servicing costs, was of "key importance". An upturn in the domestic economy will lift GDP growth and boost budget revenue, he added.
The minister said it was the task of the government to channel a large amount of household savings coming out of maturing retail government securities in the spring to the right place, be that more government securities, consumption or home purchases. The recovery of purchasing power next year will impact all strata of society, he added.
Fielding questions, Minister Nagy said the government put the number of work permits issued to non-European Union nationals at 65,000 per year, low relative to the number of Hungarians employed.