Modernisation of the Žilina–Košice railway line, section A.1 Poprad-Tatry – Vydrník (source: Facebook - Doprastav)
Talentis International Infrastructure Investments Operations, an affiliate of Hungary’s Mészáros Group, is set to acquire a majority stake in Doprastav, one of Slovakia’s largest construction companies, deepening the presence of politically connected Hungarian businesses in the country’s economy.
The purchase agreement was signed on August 8 by Dušan Mráz, Doprastav’s majority owner, who will retain a minority stake and remain vice-chairman of the board. The deal, subject to regulatory approval, is expected to close by the end of October 2025. No financial details were disclosed.
Interests in Slovakia go beyond construction
The acquisition comes as Hungarian construction firms have secured a string of significant Slovak public contracts. A high-profile €486mn tender to build a new military hospital in eastern Slovakia was recently awarded to a consortium that includes companies tied to allies of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Confector and West Hungária Bau (WHB), despite the bid coming in more than €100mn above the government’s initial cost estimate. The award has drawn political scrutiny given Orbán’s close relationship with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who has praised his Hungarian counterpart’s governance model.
