The Golden
triangle
Ten years ago researchers dealing with the analysis of economic processes noticed
that the triangular shaped area between Vienna-Gyõr-Bratislava was characterised
by extremely fast economic development within the Central European region, the
baseline of which is formed by the M1 (E 60-E75) motorway, since then it is
increasingly frequently referred to by the name Golden triangle. In the background
of this fast development is the old, solid industrial culture of the area and
the unique geographical position that means that this is one of the "service
tunnels" of European transport, due to the north-south and east-west public
main roads (E 60, E 65, E 75) and the important European waterway, the Danube.
The part of this area that is in Hungary (the northern part of Gyõr-Moson-Sopron
county) is the richest and most quickly developing part of the country. Gyõr
- the eastern point of the Golden Triangle - has an especially important role
in the development of the area. The unique feature of this town of 130 thousand
(200 thousand people with its agglomeration ring) is that starting out from
here three capital cities can be reached by motorway within one hour, and that
more than ten million people live within this circle (the relatively more well
to do citizens of Austria, Slovakia and Hungary).
It is natural that Gyõr, and the surrounding area, has become a special destination
for the flow of foreign capital. Beside the joint ventures established from
the earlier socialist companies, many multinationals have arrived implementing
green field investments, and with a small delay, so have the medium sized and
small supply companies. The number of companies registered in Gyõr has risen
in 12 years from 314 to 6500. The reason for the fast development and growth
is that there are few possibilities to settle in the area of Gyõr, so the new
industrial, commercial and service providing facilities look for places to settle
down outside the town, in the areas in the agglomeration ring beside the main
roads.
The eastern point of the Golden Triangle is not only made interesting by the
industrial-economic development, this is the centre of the post-socialist region
with a relatively high GDP and high income per capita. With respect to these
features, both the degree of commercial and logistics-service supply is out
of phase, which induces a tense rate of development, especially if the planned
development of the Gönyû dock and the Pér airport progresses at the planned
rate. The Slovakian changes, the approach towards the EU could give further
momentum to the strong, almost turbulent economic flow, the centre of which
is the eastern point of the Golden Triangle.