UniNext, a comprehensive development program launched at the initiative of the foundation that supports the University of Pécs, will primarily benefit the local community and the business sector. For local companies, the development of the expressway network and main railway lines, as well as the UniNext Universitas Industrial Park—one of the country’s largest investment-promoting projects—offer significant prospects, according to remarks made at the extended general assembly of the Pécs-Baranya Chamber of Commerce and Industry. At the event organized for local businesses, István Decsi, Chancellor of the University of Pécs, also presented the UniNext investor charter, which sets out numerous expectations and recommendations for potential investors, such as that the investor should build on the local knowledge base, prioritize the employment of local labor, and be committed to creating a supplier program to involve local businesses.
The Pécs-Baranya Chamber of Commerce and Industry held an expanded general assembly at its headquarters, inviting some fifty leading local companies. The event also featured the launch of the UniNext Innovation Program, which was created with the goal of turning the tide and addressing the region’s greatest development challenges in a comprehensive and sustainable manner.
The program brings together development projects such as the PTE Science Park, comprehensive healthcare developments, and the UniNext Universitas Industrial Park—one of the country’s largest investment-driven projects—as well as the transportation improvements, office developments, and environmental protection projects. Thanks to the program, thousands of new jobs could be created in the coming years, and foreign working capital worth several thousand billion forints could flow into this currently underdeveloped region.
The main beneficiaries of this comprehensive development program—launched at the initiative of the foundation that supports the University of Pécs—will be the local community and the business sector. The major investments coming here will bring the global market closer to local businesses and open up opportunities to participate in the global division of labor. As a result, the SME market will also be revitalized thanks to these new opportunities.
– emphasized István Decsi, Chancellor of the University of Pécs.
It was stated at the event that investor consultations coordinated by HIPA are ongoing regarding the future industrial park; however, the government has not yet announced any specific investments. Regardless of what investments come to the area near Pécs, it must meet the expectations of the Hungarian authorities—which are the strictest in the European Union—as well as environmental standards and the UniNext investor charter, which István Decsi also presented to the businesses participating in the event.
According to the document, UniNext intends to collaborate with investors who are committed to the region’s economic development, improving the quality of life for local residents, and protecting the environment.
The charter sets out a number of expectations and recommendations for potential investors, including the following: investors should build on the local knowledge base, prioritize the hiring of local workers, commit to creating a supplier program to involve local businesses, and also emphasize local research, development, and innovation.
