- Budapest is a great winner of the Olympic Games, since we can show ourselves to the world for weeks, and the developments, which are prepared for the Olympics will remain here, said Mayor István Tarlós at the AmCham's (American Chamber of Commerce in Hungary) conference on the economic impact of the Olympics. At the event, during which the economic impacts of the Budapest2024 Olympic and Paralympic Bid were introduced, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó and Government Commissioner for Hungary's Olympic Bid Balázs Fürjes made speeches.
- Taking the region, Budapest is outstandingly developing, the city's appreciation as the center of the country and the Hungarian nation is constantly growing, and sports have a crucial role in that process. Budapest was the venue of several European and world championships in the recent past, and several large sports events are currently in preparation as well. The 2017 FINA World Aquatics Championships is also an event raising a great hope, the technical preparations of which are making good progress, for what the appreciation shall be addressed to Government Commissioner Balázs Fürjes, said István Tarlós. He emphasized that whether we are speaking about the completion of the Metro Line 4 project, the renewal of Metro Line 3, the development of Tram line 1, the development of the interconnected tram network of Buda, the change and renewal of time-worn buses, trams and trolleybuses, the complete renovation of Széll Kálmán tér, or the restructuring of the Danube embankment, the Municipality of Budapest, with the helpful contribution of the government, is the number one shaper of the capital city's developments.
The Mayor has emphasized that through the realization of the Olympics and the post-games utilization of the sports facilities, a valuable and sustainable heritage can be created for Hungary. The Olympics enliven the economy, creates new workplaces, facilitates the spread of healthy and sporty lifestyle, and last but not least, can become the engine of the post 2020 economic development as well. It would guarantee the long-term development of mainly Budapest, but also the whole country. He added that a larger and larger part of the society, more and more organizations and decision-makers are supporting the realization.
Péter Szijjártó has explained that if Hungary would host the Games, it would imply around one hundred thousand new jobs, and the Olympics would generate an income of EUR 3.7 billion for the country, and would also contribute to a 0.3% GDP increase, not to mention the record cutting numbers in tourism. He added that the bid for the organization provides solemn pride in itself, since Budapest can compete against Rome, Paris and Los Angeles, where altogether five Olympic Games were organized so far. He emphasized that since it is an issue of national significance, the Hungarian government provides the Olympic Bid with absolute support and background.
Balázs Fürjes, Government Commissioner for Hungary's Olympic Bid said he is convinced that thanks to the new jobs, opening as a result of the Olympics, lots of Hungarians, who are now living abroad, would return to the country and would utilize their expertise as well as foreign language knowledge here. – The Olympics would bring huge economic benefits in several areas, more investors and tourists will probably choose the country, he added.
He also mentioned that the Agenda 2020 program of the IOM allows the middle-sized metropolises to host the games, thus the circle of competitors has broadened. He emphasized that the IOM has shifted towards more reasonable, cheaper, more sustainable and more profitable Olympics, and Budapest is a perfect match for this concept.
The Olympic Bid and the planned Olympic venues have been presented at the congress, where more information was provided about the way Budapest 2024 fits into the national development concept, and what impact it has on the competitiveness of Hungary.
