In Göd, where the government is designating the first special economic zone, the Samsung plant is currently providing work for 1,600 people, but they will soon further develop the factory and will hire another 2,700 persons. As a result, the number of persons employed by the plant could rise to 4,300, Bence Tuzson, Governmental State Secretary of the Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister said on Wednesday on Kossuth Radio’s programme ‘Good morning, Hungary’.

He added that, pursuant to the decree, the tax revenues derived from the designated economic zone will have to be spent primarily in the vicinity of the area, and so the interests of those living in Göd, Csomád and Dunakeszi will also have to be taken into consideration. The question is who will spend this sum: the town management or the county “with a broader horizon”, meaning that this issue must be handled in a complex manner, he observed.

He also said when in Hungary thousands are losing their jobs because of the epidemic, it is very important that the government should try to strengthen places where new jobs are coming into being. This is what the government’s economy protection action plan is about, “mobilising” 18 to 20 per cent of the national economy, he stressed.

The development of the Samsung factory will cost HUF 400 to 500 billion, and is as such one of the largest in the country. At the same time, the project also represents a technological changeover as the plant is manufacturing batteries for electric cars, he said.

In answer to a question, he highlighted that the creation of special economic zones is an opportunity with which the government is able to help areas where jobs are being created. This is an economy protection measure, he stressed.

He added that, for the time being, there is one such zone, but the opportunity is there to create further ones.

On the public service television news channel M1, the State Secretary also said not even individual political interests can override the importance of job creation. He added that at present there is a chaotic political situation in Göd as the opposition mayor filed charges of corruption against two deputy mayors, and vice versa.

This does not favour job creation, and the livelihoods of 4,600 people cannot be put at risk, Mr Tuzson said.

(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister / MTI)