ROMANIA: Retailers Association calls for a rethinking of authorizing commercial activities | Progresiv

The Association of Large Retailers in Romania (AMRCR) calls on the Government to rethink the system of authorizing commercial activities, which has become too complicated, warning that it has reached a point where this authorization process can take up to 300 days.

"In the context of the tragedy from Colectiv club, the process of authorising of local administration reached a stage of generalized almost-blockage. Caught in the uncertainty of the legal maze, representatives of various institutions with responsibilities in the approval chain are concerned to adopt all sorts of rules and regulations that avoid any liability in case of unforeseen events. The result is that in some situations it has come to a process of authorization that approaches 300 days since its initiation. This given that, in other countries such as Poland or Hungary, the maximum is 30 days. The direct consequence of this situation - created by administrative institutions blaming each other - is that large investments are about to be abandoned", said Delia Nica, Executive Director of AMRCR.

The AMRCR official said that big investors can not afford to operate outside legality or risk being penalized severely by the insurers with whom they collaborate, by the foreign markets on which they are listed as well as by the consumers.

The Association of Large Retailers in Romania is a trade association that includes the largest players operating in the retail market in Romania. It was established in 2003 and has as members the following companies: Auchan, Billa, Brico-Depot, Carrefour, Cora, Dedeman, Domo Retail, Hornbach, Kaufland, Lidl, Mega Image, Metro Cash & Carry, Mobexpert, Penny Market, Praktiker, Profit and Selgros.