Businesses in Albania are being forced to become part of a new body, which will be called the State Economic Chamber. But business associations oppose the proposal, as harmful and useless for the market.

A state Chamber of Commerce will bring together all businesses in the country with mandatory membership. The government’s initiative has not been welcomed by the business chambers, which find it appropriate to say that the free organization of enterprises is being violated.

The government says that the need for this reorganization comes as businesses are currently represented by 180 economic chambers, but the latter see the State Chamber as a captured institution, which will take over the powers of the National Business Center.

Basically, the initiative requires that businesses will become members by compulsion and pay a certain quota depending on the turnover, but the latter is also seen as a financial burden, which is not properly clarified if it turns into a service for businesses or not.