Senate to consider Bill on Freedom of Commercial Activity

The landmark bill on Freedom of Commercial Activity, drafted under the auspices of Economy Minister Jerzy Hausner, was approved by the Sejm on Friday with an overwhelming majority of votes, but it is not yet clear when it will become law as it has to go through several more stages. The act is supposed to make life easier for businesses, by abolishing several permits and licenses which until now had been issued by the central and local governments, as well as limiting the number of inspections which can be imposed on a company at any given time to just one. The act is also supposed to make it quicker and easier to establish a new business and create, within a few years time, a computer-based register of all businesses. The date the act becomes law will depend on its progress in the Senate and when the President finally signs it. (Gazeta Wyborcza, May 29-30, p. 29).T.J.