The joint declaration was signed by the municipalities of Ajka, Bábolna, Érd, Hatvan, Heves, Isaszeg, Jászberény, Kalocsa, Kapuvár, Kazincbarcika, Kiskunfélegyháza, Komló, Maklár, Marcali, Mezőkövesd, Mezőtúr, Miskolc, Mosonmagyaróvár, Nagyatád, Nagykanizsa, Polgár, Szeged, Szentes, Sziksza, Szolnok, Zagyvarékas and Záhony.

Apollo Tyres said on Thursday after deciding to withdraw its application to build a new tire plant in Gyöngyös (NE Hungary) that the company would look for a new location for the facility elsewhere in Hungary or in another European country.

The joint declaration said that “Hungary would welcome this investment. We will do everything possible over the coming weeks and months in order to demonstrate to foreign capital investors, including Apollo, that it is worth choosing our communities, that it is worth keeping this investment in Hungary. We are prepared to provide Apollo Tyres Ltd. with a location for its Hungarian base; we are prepared to contribute to the developmental opportunities of our own communities through promotion of the company’s development.”

Bajnai said the government will do everything it can to encourage Apollo to build its factory in Hungary. The plant would employ 1,500 people. Bajnai added that the government will launch a program this autumn for communities considered to be prime locations for investment. (MTI-Econews)