HP, Oracle, OTP launch portal site to assist applications for EU funds

Oracle Hungary, Hewlett-Packard Hungary, OTP Bank and Leadex Hungary announced Monday they have launched DirectEurope, a portal site that will allow local governments and small and medium-sized enterprises to obtain information on available EU funds. The portal site includes a list of application programs for EU funds, allows interested businesses and institutions to download application forms, and guides applicants step-by-step through the application process. Similar portal sites will likely be set up in other accession countries as well, according to Oracle Hungary managing director Peter Fuzes. Both Oracle and HP hope to benefit from the site indirectly, as successful applications by SMEs or municipalities could boost the overall volume of IT investments in the economy, company officials said. For its part, OTP will offer loan and financing constructions to help applicants put up necessary co-financing, deputy CEO Laszlo Wolf said. Hungarian enterprises and local governments may apply for a total of HUF 1.35 trillion in EU funds through 2006, which could facilitate HUF 2 trillion in investments in the period, according to Klara Dobrev, deputy head of the National Development Office.