“The Government’s goal is to make digital services available to the widest possible degree, which will both increase the competitiveness of service providers and reduce costs for consumers”, Minister for National Economy Mihály Varga declared following the third meeting of the National Competitiveness Council.

Proposals for new legislation that will be put before Parliament this year have been successfully drawn up with regard to five out of the six topics already discussed by the Council, Mr. Varga told reporters.

The Minister for National Economy highlighted the fact that the Government wants to promote electronic account management and the electronic payment of public utility bills, and the Cabinet plans to eventually have the tax office also prepare the tax returns of enterprises, similarly to those of private individuals.

According to Mr. Varga, the spread of digitalisation will be facilitated by the fact that the Government has decided to reduce the level of VAT on internet access from 18 percent to 5 percent next year. Among other supportive measures, the Minister also mentioned the introduction of social accounts, thanks to which the costs relating to maintaining a back account should fall significantly within the short term.

The Minister also highlighted that some of the short-term proposals made by the Council in the interests of increasing competitiveness, including simplified building regulations and regulations concerning public utilities, have already reached the legislative phase.

(Ministry for National Economy)