The administrative burden for the access and exercise of economic activities in the Autonomous Region of the Azores is expected to reduce with the elimination of licences, permits, inspections and prior requirements that were necessary for certain activities.
This measure follows the approval of a document establishing free access and exercise of economic activities in the archipelago that was approved by the Azorean Parliament this Thursday.
When presenting the legislation, the Regional Secretary for the Economy revealed that licences and administrative authorisations will be replaced "by a prior notification," thus allowing the economic agent immediately proceed with the opening of the commercial establishment or the beginning of its business activity.
For Luísa Schanderl, this measure increases the responsibility of economic agents by reinforcing the number of inspections and aggravating the respective system of penalties.
Furthermore, the government official announced that the need to maintain two registers - commercial register and record - will cease to be mandatory in the Region.
As the Secretary of the Economy pointed out, this new scheme will not be applicable to the special licensing process subject to specific licensing and procedures, particularly in the case of large commercial establishments.
The legislation approved today transposes into regional law Directive no.2006/123/EC of the European Parliament and Council regarding the internal market services which establishes the necessary principles and rules to simplify the free access and exercise of commercial activities as well as the provision of services in the Azores.