The changes introduced by law 580/93 and subsequent regulations endow the Chambers of Commerce with autonomy and a formal position having the same institutional dignity as local authorities, to such an extent that they are subjects able to autonomously govern economic processes. In this perspective, they play a fundamental role in favouring territorial development. Chambers of Commerce are strong interlocutors in the framework of development processes, not only as institutions supporting and aiding their members, but also as institutions that become project stakeholders for the economic enhancement of the territory.

The activity carried out by the Research and Statistics Offices of the Chambers of Commerce, presently available on-line on the Starnet network, is included within this framework. These structures inform about the main economic and social phenomena recorded in the country, providing entrepreneurs with a detailed picture of the area in which they intend to invest, through enterprise demography, business and structural analysis, provincial and regional economic statistics, estimates on added value and investments, labour and price trends in the various markets.

One of the main strengths of chambers actions promoting territorial enhancement is territorial marketing. 'Its objective consists in promoting the attraction of investments, especially from foreign countries, and favouring the knowledge of investment opportunities throughout the territory (tax system, infrastructures, labour qualification, etc.), by providing guidance to chose the most suitable area for the production and economic needs of investors.

The activity supporting one-stop shops, carried out by several Chambers of Commerce, is included within a perspective of simplification, aiming at facilitating relations between citizens and the Administration, speeding up the procedures required to establish new production plants or modify the existing ones. They are points of contact, which can provide reliable and transparent replies, with particular focus on citizens and enterprises.

With the passing of time, the Chambers of Commerce gave birth to a wide network of companies, consortia and other organisations, in participation with other public and private subjects and in compliance with Civil Code provisions, with the main purpose of implementing and managing vital infrastructures for territorial development. Their main commitment is presently shown in the setting-up and management of transport infrastructure, in order to allow the circulation of goods and services beyond local borders. To this group belong all of the participations for the carrying out and management of airports, road and port infrastructures, and intermodal centres. A similarly significant commitment is represented by the creation of marketing infrastructures: fair poles, conference centres, agricultural and food markets. Participation in consortia that carry out economic promotion in various fields (training, research, marketing and enhancement of typical products, etc.) gives a thorough picture of the Chambers participations.

Quality certification is another activity carried out by the Chambers of Commerce with a view to supporting territorial enhancement. In order to be competitive in the market, enterprises need to continuously innovate and certificate both processes and products. To this end, back in 1905, the Chambers of Commerce established the first chemical-product laboratory and are presently committed to managing a network of 28 chemical-product laboratories, and 30 technologically-oriented information desks throughout the national territory.

Territory also means environment. In fact, its quality, does not only affect the lives of citizens, but also economic relations throughout the territory. Law n. 70 of January 25, 1994 and Prime Minister’s decree of 6 July 1995, establishing the Environmental Statement Single Form, aim at simplifying and harmonising companies’ obligations to the Administration, with reference to environmental communication. The objective envisaged by the legislation was that of eliminating the excessive fragmentation of competences among the various actors in charge of environmentally-related data collection, through the development of a statement form (MUD), including all the existing statements, harmonising the management of national data, thanks to the information system developed by InfoCamere in collaboration with Ecocerved.