Hungary could pass 2016 bank tax cut by April -official

MBH Jelzalogbank Nyrt

20/02/2015 13:10

BUDAPEST, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Hungary's government could 
discuss a planned reduction in a punitive tax on banks shortly, 
enabling lawmakers to pass the required changes by April, 
Economy Ministry State Secretary Gabor Orban told Reuters on 
Friday. 
    The proposed cut in the levy, among the highest in Europe, 
is the mainstay of a truce between Prime Minister Viktor Orban's 
government and the banks he has squeezed for years. 
 ID:nL5N0VJ3P8  
    Orban hopes by making it cheaper for banks to operate in 
Hungary they would lend more to boost recovery. 
    "I would like to put this on the agenda as soon as 
possible," the Economy Ministry's Orban said. "I cannot see a 
reason why this should not get formal approval and then we can 
submit the relevant bill to parliament." 
    Orban said lawmakers could pass the amendments by the time 
of the upcoming meeting of the International Monetary Fund due 
on April 17-19. 
 
 (Reporting by Gergely Szakacs) 
 ((gergely.szakacs@thomsonreuters.com; +36 1 327 4748; Reuters 
Messaging: gergely.szakacs.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) 
 
Keywords: HUNGARY BANKS