The Hungarian Government concluded a strategic cooperation agreement with the Indian company Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) on Monday. The agreement was signed by State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and External Economic Relations Péter Szijjártó and Dinesh P Thampi, Vice-President and General Manager of Tata Consultancy Services' Budapest Service Centre.

The State Secretary said the agreement was proof that Hungary is a competitive country in the 21st century and the agreement with the company would contribute to continued renewal and innovation.

Mr Thampi stated that Tata Consultancy Services employs some 900 people in Hungary and plans to expand this number by 200-300. The company has been present in Hungary for 12 years and plans to include the country in its university program that offers scholarships in higher education, Mr Thampi said, emphasising that this agreement is not just a “tactical step”, but an important milestone in achieving Tata’s strategic goals.

State Secretary Szijjártó pointed out that the reform of higher education, which also places its emphasis on faculties offering education in the field of engineering, IT and science, also enables companies who are looking to employ highly qualified staff to make plan long-term in Hungary.

Since the summer, the Government has signed strategic partnership agreements with the Hungarian subsidiaries of Coca-Cola, Alcoa, Daimler, Suzuki, Hankook, General Electric, Microsoft, Stadler Rail, Tesco and IBM, as well as with Hungarian pharmaceutical giant Gedeon Richter.

(Prime Minister's Office)