The funding to be allocated towards the six regions’ own operative programs is 31.3% of the total Ft 8,000 billion in EU funding available for Hungary in the next budget period. Each of the six regions will have an independent regional operative program from the start of 2007, undersecretary at the Ministry of Local Councils and Regional Development Péter Száló told Világgazdaság. (The seventh region, Central Hungary, is not included, because its per capita GDP exceeds 75% of the EU average, excluding it from applying for cohesion funds.)