The Council of Ministers has given the green light this Tuesday to the launch of the Official Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services of Melilla, through a Royal Decree that creates a new corporation under public law to serve the companies and self-employed workers of the autonomous city.
Among the main functions of the new body are providing certification, advisory and training services, supporting internationalization, managing public business support programs, and updating the public register of companies.
In addition, the Chamber will act as a consultative and collaboration body with public administrations in everything related to commerce, industry and services, and will take on a key role in accompanying Melilla’s economic transformation process.
Its work will be directed on a priority basis to SMEs and self-employed workers, as well as to the generation of new opportunities linked to tourism, innovation, technology and the knowledge economy.
NO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SINCE 2016
The previous Chamber of Commerce of Melilla ceased its activity in 2016. The reactivation of this corporation by the Government allows the companies of the city to once again have a structure for representation and chamber services "on equal terms with those in the rest of national territory," as stated by the Ministry of Economy, Commerce and Business.
According to sources from the Ministry, the recovery process has been carried out in coordination with the Government of the Autonomous City of Melilla, which has presented an economic viability plan and has acquired commitments to ensure the launch and sustainability of the institution.
Among these commitments are the provision of initial economic resources, the provision of staff, the transfer of premises, and administrative and institutional support.
With the creation of the Official Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Services and Shipping of Melilla, the Government of Spain "strengthens the institutional support tools for its business fabric, contributing to dynamizing economic and commercial activity, fostering job creation and accompanying the city’s economic development," the Ministry states.