Szijjarto: Universities crucial to Hungary’s competitiveness

Peter Szijjarto attended the inauguration of Szechenyi Istvan University’s incubation and lodging building at the ZalaZone science park next to Europe’s largest vehicle test track, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Szijjarto emphasised the “fierce” global competition to secure investments amid the ongoing crisis.

Tax rates and political stability can be critical in such a competition, he said, noting that Hungary’s 9 percent corporate tax rate was the lowest in Europe and that Hungary offered a predictable and politically stable environment.

The quality of human resources is becoming the key factor in the race for investments, the minister said.

“It’s not an exaggeration to say that Hungary’s competitiveness and future are greatly dependent on universities and the quality of the work being done there,” he said.

Szijjarto stressed the importance of linking higher education and economic processes, pointing out the cooperation between Szechenyi Istvan University and German engineering giant Bosch as a good example.