“Today, the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) approved the main recommendations for the improvement of competitiveness, which it will be putting before the Cabinet”, Minister of Finance Mihály Varga announced at a press conference following the body’s session today.

“The programme includes the analysis of the economy’s current status and a detailed action plan”, the Minister and NCC Chairman told the press.

Mr. Varga expressed his thanks to the organisations involved in drawing up the plan for their quality work. As he explained, the competitiveness-related proposals of the Hungarian National Bank, the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry for Innovation and Technology and the Ministry of Finance have been included in the package of programmes being put before the Cabinet. “The National Competitiveness Council discussed the first draft of the plan at its session in October and put forward proposals for its expansion with further elements. After these were drawn-up in detail, the ‘For a More Competitive Hungary’ programme was put before the NCC again today”, the Minister of Finance explained.

“The programme adopted by the Council puts forward proposals within six main areas in the interests of the comprehensive improvement of competitiveness. These include simplifying taxation, accelerating tax administration, promoting the employment of young mothers, inactive workers and public work employees, and improving the business environment of enterprises”, Mr. Varga pointed out.

The Minister said improving business productivity and making the innovation system and public sector more efficient through the application of digital solutions was particularly important. In addition, there is also a great need for a skill- and capability-oriented education system that corresponds to the requirements of the economy, and for the assurance of a competitive workforce, in the interests of which basic healthcare services must be improved and preventive programmes must be expanded further, he added.

(Ministry of Finance)