The size of the offset agreement for the purchase of Gripen fighter jets has been expanded to Ft 191 billion, but with multipliers it amounts to Ft 226 billion, Economy Ministry state secretary Gábor Szalay announced yesterday.

Capital investments in Hungary will amount to (Ft 55.7 billion. In addition, the duration of the contract has been extended from 9 years to 14.

The ministry expects the agreement to create 13-15,000 jobs. The scope of the agreement has also been widened, to include road, rail and airport construction and hotel construction in the countryside.

A new element is that the export of Hungarian software and industrial patents and the purchase of Hungarian spa services can also be taken into account in the offset.

Preference will be given to investments in Hungary's less developed regions. Parliament is expected to approve the modified Gripen contract on March 3 or 4.

Discussion/Fórum