The Government held an offsite cabinet meeting in Kémes, South Hungary to gain information about the status and economic prospects of Baranya County.

The Old-Drava Regional Convergence Programme, which will involve a total of 43 towns, was in the focus of the Government’s offsite cabinet meeting in Kémes, South Hungary. The Programme’s success is a test of the Government and the country to see what can be achieved in disadvantaged regions, the Prime Minister said.

Hosting the meeting, Head of the Baranya County Assembly Zsolt Tiffán said infrastructural developments, mainly new roads, were needed to attract more investment to the region. In addition, he informed the Governmental delegation about prospects for job creation as well as the status of agriculture, education and Roma communities.

Mr. Tiffán, who is also Government Commissioner for the Coordination of the Old-Dráva Programme, said that the convergence programme will make HUF 25 billion available for developing irrigation, agriculture and tourism by restoring the Drava River to its original state.

The Programme is also a priority for the Ministry of Rural Development, Minister Sándor Fazekas said, adding that numerous invitations to tender will also be available during the period 2014-2020.

Zsolt Tiffán also highlighted the importance of supporting the employment of Roma people in the region and he noted that 420 people are at present working in the Old-Drava Programme, and many of them are of Roma origin.

(Prime Minister’s Office)