OECD chief, Varga focus on SME productivity in Budapest forum

The OECD chief and Hungary’s economy minister focused at a forum in Budapest on Monday on policy initiatives that would accelerate the productivity growth of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Angel Gurria, general secretary of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), said an assessment was needed of how global supply chains could be intensified as well as how to raise the productivity of SMEs.

Mihály Varga, Hungary’s economy minister, said at the OECD Global Productivity Forum that the government was taking various measures to speed up the process whereby Hungarian SMEs hook up with international companies, primarily through Hungarian supply networks which provide a good opportunity for their products to enter international markets as exports. It is hoped that productivity will improve as a result of such measures, he added.

The minister also noted government schemes to integrate SMEs into the supply chains of international companies.

Varga said that joining international value chains also helps to advance the research and innovation endeavours of large companies, the results of which can then be exploited by small companies too.

Zoltán Balog, the minister of human resources, held talks with Gurria in his office and briefed him on government efforts to reduce regional disparities in accessing services, adding that the government counts on professional advice from OECD in this area, the ministry said in a statement.

Balog also briefed Gurria about the government’s Roma integration efforts and achievements. The number of Roma students in higher education doubled in the recent period, he told Gurria.

Gurria said OECD maintains excellent relations with Hungary and he offered closer ties in the areas of education, health care, Roma integration and early intervention. The two officials agreed to meet again for consultations in early November.

Photo: MTI

Source: MTI