Hungary proudly presents:

Budapest for the Headquartersof the European Institute ofInnovation and Technology (EIT)

Gordon BajnaiMinister for National Developmentand Economy

22 May 2008

• Ambitious reform agenda• Minister in charge of R&D&I• 33.6% of the funds of the Economic Development Operational Programme are dedicated to R&D&I

HUNGARY – TURNING TOWARDS THE FUTURE

• Metropolis in the heart of Europe• Known for its brilliant minds, creativity• Successful for centuries

BUDAPEST – AS ALL KNOW IT

The city of knowledge and science

• Numerous international schools• 15 universities• Number of students – 105,000 per year• 38 research institutes and 79 research groups

at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences• Successful collaboration with the business sector

BUDAPEST – AS FEW KNOW IT

• As the Davos of science and innovation• World Science Forum • 17th Annual Congress of the European Business

& Innovation Centre Network• Innovative Reliance Forum

BUDAPEST – AS WE WANT ALL TO KNOW IT

• Easy to reach– Excellent position in the international transport network– Budapest Airport is the second largest airport in the new EU member states

• The quality of life indicators are among the highestin the new member states

BUDAPEST – BASIC FACTS

„The twentieth century was made in Budapest”

• Hungary is among the leaders in opening up the European Research Area• First member from CEE in EUREKA• Successful participation in European efforts• The Hungarian Academy of Sciences is the most trustworthy organization in Hungary

BUDAPEST – A SCIENTIFIC CAPITALIN THE FOREFRONT OF THE FUTURE

• The highest FDI stock per capita rate in the CEE region• Budapest absorbs nearly half of FDI• Foreign owned firms account for about 70% of BERD

in Hungary

BUDAPEST – A BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

• Midterm national STI strategy fully meets EIT concept• Several knowledge centers have been established to strengthen the Knowledge Triangle• Introduction of the Innovation Act in 2004 by consensus:

transparent and modern legal environment to utilizeresearch and development results

• Innovation Fund provides a reliable national fundingsystem

• R&D&I Minister personally responsible forEIT HQ - government relations

BUDAPEST – GOVERNMENT COMMITMENT

• Hungary fully covers the office rent costs of EIT headquarters for 20 years• Hungary will cover the wage costs of 20 employees

of the EIT for 5 years

BUDAPEST – FINANCIAL COMMITMENT

• One of the greatest science parks in Budapest• Friendly working environment, prestigious location• 50% green area• Landscaped central park• Universities are located next door• Only 20-25 minutes from Budapest Airport• Only few kilometers far from the city center• Architectural Niveau Prize 2007

BUDAPEST – THE PROPOSED LOCATION: INFOPARK

• Budapest, the bridging city is – as of today – without an EU body

• Choosing Budapest as the headquarters of EIT = The road to the European future

through science and technology

BUDAPEST – THE IDEAL CITY

THANK YOU

FOR YOUR SUPPORT!