Madrid puts an end to the municipal licence system to open a business

[aspasia]

Madrid has approved a new law which legislates for an "express autolicence", a mechanism which eliminates the current system of municipal licences to open a business. The measure is intended to save business people both time and money. Deputy PM, Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría, said that "the measure seeks to change administrative culture, free up commerce, end bureaucracy, simplify processes, speed up procedures, and support  business people". She was speaking in a press conference after the cabinet meeting which approved the measures, and added that in times of crisis, Government must roll out the red carpet for businesses rather than put obstacles in their way. The measure currently applies to small businesses occupying less than 300 square metres, but the Government has not ruled out applying it to larger businesses in the future. JA