„The idea to create a permanent forum between the government and economic players to strengthen our cooperation and dialogue got strong support from advocacy groups during recent rounds of consultations” – explained Gordon Bajnai, minister for national development and economics.

Beside its consultative functions the forum will serve as a vehicle to promote economic growth, improve Hungary’s competitiveness and business environment. The ECF will work on resolutions that directly affect enterprises.

The ECF also comments on proposed government actions, proposes resolutions, amendments  and other actions. It supports legislation aimed at curbing bureaucracy, improving the regulatory and operative settings. The Forum will also participate in mapping expectable results and effects of legislations. It files and publishes an annual report on its operations.

The Economic Conciliation Forum offsets the Council for Competitiveness and the Enterprise Development Council, both of which operations are terminated. First sitting of the new Forum will be at the end of August, 2008. Regular meetings will be held every four-six weeks according to the resolution.

The minister responsible for national development and economics presides over the Forum. ECF members on the economic interest groups’ side are the National Association of Entrepreneurs and Employers, the Confederation of Hungarian Employers and Industrialists, the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the representative of the Chamber of Agriculture, the Common Representative of the Foreign and Joint Chambers operating in  Hungary, two Common Representatives of the Association of Small Entrepreneurs, the Common Representative of the Investment Council. The common representative of the employee side of the National Interest Conciliation Council is a permanently invited party to the ECF. Members of the ECF on the Government’s side are the state leaders appointed by the Minister in charge of public finance, the Minister in charge of employment policy, the Minister in charge of justice, the Minister in charge of transport, the Minister in charge of research and development, the Minister in charge of agricultural policy, the Minister leading the Prime Minister’s Office.