Debrecen Economic Forum 2026

Get straight to the deep end: in the morning of the conference, we will take a look at the growth path the Hungarian economy could take and prepare for the financial realities shaping the second half of 2026, with a special focus on expectations and updates on EU funds. In a volatile economic environment, stable liquidity can be the key to survival and levelling out, so with the help of our experts, we explore the current state of SME lending and the latest sources of funding. We look for answers to questions that will fundamentally determine the scope for businesses for the rest of the year, giving them the opportunity to make informed, informed business decisions.

In the second session we will focus on Debrecen, the economic engine of Eastern Hungary and its explosive development. We will examine how current market trends are reshaping local real estate development and investment, how the housing market is coping with the surge in industrial parks, and then we will confront one of the biggest obstacles to growth in the region - and in Hungary as a whole -: labour market tensions. Why is it so important to talk about this? Because capital attraction and infrastructure leapfrogging can only be translated into sustainable profits if we manage to respond effectively to critical challenges, including human resource shortages.

In the third session, we will focus on three global megatrends that are radically redefining the corporate vision: energy, automotive and artificial intelligence. In an era of geopolitical uncertainties, optimising energy costs and understanding global automotive movements is not only a strategic advantage, but a prerequisite for competitiveness. Finally, we take a look at the most important technological leap forward: how AI is changing the future of different industries. 

The conference will close with an exclusive macroeconomic big-picture analysis, where the country's most respected economists will draw a map of the future. At a time when global and domestic economic influences are changing the rules of the game almost daily, it is vital to have a clear view of Hungary's direction. This concluding discussion will help synthesise the day's presentations and provide policymakers with a credible, expert compass with which to confidently navigate the macroeconomic waves of 2026.