ECONOMIC CHAMBER OF MACEDONIA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- S T A T U T E of the Economic Chamber of Macedonia March 2005 Skopje
2 I. GENERAL PROVISIONS Article 1 The Economic Chamber of Macedonia (hereinafter: the Chamber) is a business and professional association that, pursuant to the Law on the Economic Chamber of Macedonia (Official Gazette No.89/2004), reconciles, represents and protects the interests of its members - legal entities seated in the Republic of Macedonia, who perform economic activities and are registered in the Trade Register. Article 2 The association within the Chamber and its resigning is free and on voluntary basis. The Chamber is managed by its members through their representatives in the associations according to the activities, in regional chambers and through elected members within the bodies of the Chamber. Article 3 In accomplishing the objectives and tasks regarding the membership within the Chamber, the members of the Chamber, directly through the structures of organization and operation or indirectly through the bodies of the Chamber, have the rights and liabilities, particularly: - to manage the activities of the Chamber, to elect the bodies of the Chamber and to supervise their activities; - to give initiatives and views on laws and other provisions and measures in the field of economy, development and economic policy; - to use the professional and other help related to their activity, as well as the services carried out by the Chamber; - the mutual disputes and cases of violation of good business practices, primarily to be settled in front of the courts within the Chamber; - in its operation within the chamber's organization and activities to comply with the provisions of this Statute, general enactments and decisions of the bodies and structures of organization and operation within the Chamber; - to participate in providing resources for realization of the Chamber's tasks, in accordance to the needs set up by the programs and decisions of the bodies and structures of organization and operation within the Chamber. Article 4 The Chamber is independent and autonomous organization, with a status of a legal entity. The seat of the Chamber is in Skopje, on Dimitrie Cupovski Street No. 13.
3 Article 5 The Chamber has a round seal and rectangular stamp containing the name and the seat of the Chamber. The Chamber has a trademark. Article 6 The operation of the Chamber is public. The publicity of the operation of the Chamber is provided in accordance with the Law and this Statute. II. OBJECTIVES AND TASKS OF THE CHAMBER Article 7 The Chamber is organized and operates in order to promote the market economy, entrepreneurship and to induce the competitiveness of its members. In attaining the objectives of paragraph 1 of this Article, the Chamber directs its activities towards: - representing the mutual interests of the members of the Chamber; - representing the interests of the members of the Chamber in front of the competent state bodies and institutions, especially in the preparation of economic legislation, measures and mechanisms of the economic system and economic policy and in determining of the macro-economic and development policy, as well as in preparation of laws and other regulations in the field of economy; - providing business and professional services for the needs of its members; - providing professional advices, information and assistance in order to improve the operational results of the members of the Chamber, encouraging the free business initiative, cooperation and competitiveness; - providing professional assistance to the members of the Chamber in the development of certain activities, adoption of modern technologies and methods of operation, encouraging of the research and development of the technical and technological achievements; improving the quality and standards of products, etc.; - promotion of the development and the opportunities of the Macedonian economy on local, regional, national and international level; - investment incentives in the Macedonian economy, especially in attracting foreign investments; - acting of the Chamber, respectively of its structures of organization and operation, as compulsory, neutral place and forum for business consultations about all the issues of interest for the economy; - upgrading and promoting of the business-climate in the country;
- cooperation with the Government, relevant ministries and other institutions for all the issues of interest for the economy or for particular members of the Chamber; - adopting and proposing of reconciled opinions and views of the members of the Chamber related to the improving of the economy operational conditions; - participation in determining the public opinion and policy of the economic and legal issues on local, regional and national level; - participation, by membership in the International Chamber of Commerce, Association of the European Chambers of Commerce and Industry - EUROCHAMBRES and other associations, in outlining and presenting of the mutual views on issues of international character, especially about the economic issues in the scope of the European Community; - determining views and opinions of the economy related to the economic policy and legislation on national, regional and local level; - encouraging and developing economic cooperation with foreign countries, with special focus on promotion of goods and services, marketing, organizing fairs and exhibitions, economic delegations, etc.; - representing the interests of the members of the Chamber on issues of economic and social character; - providing and exchanging information on important data from the domestic and foreign economy, especially regarding the following: systemic regulations of economic interest; development projects; potentials and possibilities for cooperation and investments in the Republic of Macedonia; exchange of goods and services; E-commerce; promotion of the Macedonian economy in the world; global economic trends and integration within the world business centers, etc; - organizing and encouraging appropriate forms of permanent functional education and updating the knowledge of the managing officials, as well as of the other professional personnel; - encouraging the members of the Chamber to undertake activities in the field of environment protection, improving the quality of work, standards and other tasks that are of interest for the economy, especially for the small and medium-sized enterprises; - establishing and cherishing good business practices, developing of business ethics and establishing rules for business behavior of the members of the Chamber in their mutual relations and in their relations with the third parties in the market; - providing professional assistance through mediation or arbitration, in resolving mutual disputes between the members of the Chamber and disputes with third parties; - directly or through engagement of foreign experts, providing professional assistance to some members of the Chamber, in front of public and government institutions, courts, etc.; - giving support and recommendations for the members of the Chamber in establishing businesses, especially foreign ones; - providing other activities of interest for the members of the Chamber. 4
5 To accomplish the activity of the Chamber of paragraph 1 of this Article, the Chamber may establish business partnerships (commercial companies) or other structures for providing services to the members of the Chamber, as well as to engage scientific and professional organizations and experts. Article 8 The Chamber performs some public authorizations, namely issues documents and certificates that the government has entrusted by a law or deed of a competent state body, in order to simplify the procedure for issuing the documents, aimed at the operation of the economic entities. Article 9 The Chamber issues certificates and other documents on questions of its own activity for which the Chamber keeps records and confirms some facts that their members use in their operation in the country and abroad. III. MANAGING WITH THE CHAMBER AND THE BODIES OF THE CHAMBER Article 10 Members of the Chamber are managing the Chamber directly though their representatives in the structures of organization and operation and other forms of organization within the Chamber, and indirectly through the bodies laid down in this Statute or with other regulation of the Chamber. Article 11 Each member of the Chamber independently determines and authorizes its representative in the relevant structure of organization and operation and other forms of organization within the Chamber. The structures of organization and operation independently elect their bodies, on manner and according to the criteria set up with their regulations. The structures of organization and operation of the Chamber select their representatives in the Assembly of the Chamber on manner and according to the criteria set up with this Statute and with the Decision of the Assembly of the Chamber. Article 12 The representatives in the structures of organization and operation within the Chamber act accordingly to the directions set by the members of the Chamber they have selected, and the members of the bodies of the Chamber are responsible in front of the structures of organization and operation they have elected. In voting for certain decisions, conclusions and other deeds, as well as in establishing of common views, the representatives, respectively the members
6 of the bodies are obliged to adhere to the directions and instructions of those entities that selected them and to the structures of organization and operation that elected them, and to consider the interests of each entity separately, to a particular activity and to the economy as a whole. Article 13 Bodies of the Chamber are: Assembly, Managing Board, Supervisory Board and the President of the Chamber. 1. THE ASSEMBLY OF THE CHAMBER Article 14 The Assembly of the Chamber is the highest body of the Chamber. The Assembly of the Chamber has 85 members. The members of the Assembly of the Chamber are elected for a period of 5 years, and may be re-elected. Article 15 The Assembly of the Chamber: - adopts the Statute of the Chamber and its amendments; - adopts the annual program of work and the financial plan of the Chamber; - adopts the report on implementation of the annual program of work and the financial plan of the Chamber; - establishes the amount of the contribution fee of the Chamber and the criteria of alteration of the determined contributions; - establishes the associations according to their activities and regional chambers within the Chamber; - establishes the criteria and the amount of resources necessary for the operation of the associations according to the activities and regional chambers; - establishes the criteria and manner of election and release of the bodies of the Chamber; - elects and releases the President of the Chamber; - elects and releases the members of the Managing Board and the members of the Supervisory Board; - schedules elections and set criteria and manner of election of representatives (members) in the Assembly of the Chamber from associations according to their activities and from regional chambers; - examines and determines views on important issues concerning the economic system, development and current economic policy;
7 - establishes views, conclusions and initiatives on issues of interest for the members, and submits them to the competent state bodies and institutions; - establishes initiatives for preparation of legal and other regulations in the field of economy; - establishes measures and activities for encouraging investments, especially of foreign investments in the Macedonian economy; - proposes measures and establishes activities for upgrading and promoting of the business climate in the country; - establishes opinions and views of the Chamber for the improvement of the economic entities` operational conditions and for other issues concerning the Chamber's activity; - makes other decisions and performs other matters in accordance with this Statute and other regulations of the Chamber. For performing of some activities in its field, the Assembly may establish permanent or temporary working bodies. Article 16 The Assembly of the Chamber works in sessions. The sessions of the Assembly are convened and chaired by the Chairman of the Assembly. The tenure of office of the Chairman of the Assembly is 5 years. The Assembly hold its sessions at least twice in the course of the year, in order to adopt the annual program of work and the financial plan, respectively to adopt the reports of the above mentioned issues, and if necessary, according to the decision of the Manging Board or Supervisory Board or suggested by the association according to activity, or regional chamber. Article 17 The Assembly may operate officially if the majority of the total number of its members are present, and decides on issues under its competence with majority votes of the members present at the Assembly. The Statute of the Chamber and its amendments, the annual program of work and the financial plan, respectively the report on the annual program of work and the financial plan, the Assembly shall decide by two third majority votes of the members present at the Assembly. 2. THE MANAGING BOARD OF THE CHAMBER Article 18 The Managing Board of the Chamber is the body for managing the Chamber. The Managing Board has a President and 34 members (all together 35 members).
8 The President of the Managing Board, ex officio, is the President of the Chamber. The members of the Managing Board are elected from the representatives of the members of the Chamber. The members of the Managing Board are elected for the term of 5 years, and may be re-elected. Article 19 The Managing Board: - establishes the proposals on provisions that are adopted by the Assembly of the Chamber and prepares the sessions of the Assembly; - adopts conclusions for convening the sessions of the Assembly of the Chamber; - pursues the policy, conclusions and decisions adopted by the Assembly of the Chamber; - adopts decisions on the implementation of the program of work, financial plan and other regulations of the Assembly of the Chamber. - gives initiatives on adopting laws and other regulations and enactments that are of interest for the economy; - appoints the president, deputy-president and the arbitrators of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, as well as the president, prosecutor and the judges of the Court of Honor; - appoints and releases the Secretary General of the Chamber; - reaches decisions which set the operation of the Professional Service within the Chamber, its managing, the employment of the employees and other general enactments of the Professional Service; - establishes the fees for the services of the Chamber concerning the public authorizations, and the professional and other services provided by the Chamber; - reaches other decisions concerning the implementation of the Statute of the Chamber, the program of work and the financial plan, if the issues are not in the competence of the Assembly of the Chamber; - decides and performs other activities set with the Statute of the Chamber or with enactments adopted by the Assembly of the Chamber. For performing of some activities in its field, the Managing Board may establish permanent or temporary working bodies. The Managing Board submits to the Assembly of the Chamber reports on the Chamber's operation and its operation, at least once a year. Article 20 The Managing Board works in sessions, which are held when needed. The Managing Board sessions are convened and chaired by the President of the Chamber, in the capacity of the President of the Managing Board.
9 Article 21 The Managing Board of the Chamber may operate legally if more than half of the members of the Managing Board are present, and the decisions on issues under its competence are decided by majority votes of the present members. The Managing Board of the Chamber by majority votes of the members of the Managing Board, shall establish the draft regulations which are adopted by the Assembly of the Chamber by a two third of majority votes of the present members. 3. THE SUPERVISORY BOARD OF THE CHAMBER Article 22 The Supervisory Board of the Chamber has a President and 6 members (all together 7), which are elected from the representatives of the members of the Chamber. For the members of the Supervisory Board may be elected experts in the field of financial and material operation. The members of the Supervisory Board are elected in term of 5 years, and may be re-elected. Member of the Supervisory Board cannot be: the President of the Chamber, a member of the Managing Board, the Secretary General of the Chamber and persons with conflict of interests. Article 23 The Supervisory Board performs supervision over the legality of the financial and material operation of the Chamber, and informs the Assembly of the Chamber about its activity, at least once a year. The Supervisory Board is obliged at least once a year to carry out a procedure for revision by the independent auditing company. 4. THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHAMBER Article 24 The President of Chamber, represents and presents the Chamber, manages its operation and executes the decisions and conclusions of the other bodies of the Chamber and is responsible for the legality of the operation of the Chamber. The President of the Chamber in performing the activities of paragraph 1 of this Article reaches decisions and takes measures and activities in accordance with the Statute, program of work and the financial plan, respectively with the decisions, conclusions and other enactments of the other bodies of the Chamber. The President of the Chamber is elected from the representatives of the members of the Chamber. The tenure of office of the President of the Chamber is 5 years, with a possibility for another re-election.
10 IV. STRUCTURES OF ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION AND OTHER FORMS OF ORGANIZATION WITHIN THE CHAMBER 1. ASSOCIATION ACCORDING TO ACTIVITY Article 25 An association according to activity, or activities is a professional structure of organization and operation within the Chamber, through which the members of the Chamber independently decide on and perform the activities and tasks, which are of interest for the particular business sector, or sectors. Article 26 An association according to activity, or activities is organized from the members of the Chamber of particular sector, or sectors in the economy. The Assembly of the Chamber determines the total number of associations within the Chamber. Each member of the Chamber is directly connected to one association, depending on its registered activity that is dominant in its operation, or according to the interest that is focused on in the relevant association. Each member of the Chamber, if there is an interest, besides in its main (parent) association may be connected and participate in the activity of the other association. Article 27 Members of the Chamber may participate in the activities of the association through their own permanent or periodical representatives. The association works in plenary sessions, on which may participate the representatives of all the members of the association. Article 28 An association according to activity operates directly in carrying out the objectives and tasks of its membership within the Chamber, in particular, as follows: - examines the issues regarding to the advancement of operation and resolving of the current problems in the scope of its activity; - initiates or establishes measures, plans and programs for the development of the activity; - co-ordinates the different interests which appeared within the activity; - adopts conclusions and proposes measures of interest for the activity, having into consideration the interests of the economy as a whole; - recognizes and establishes the common interests of the members of the Chamber of the activity, as well as the differences in relation to other activities, and gives proposals for their co-ordination, and surpass; - starts the initiatives for adopting and examining proposals on laws and other regulations, gives opinions and proposals on issues of interest for
11 the members of the Chamber of the relevant activity, and the economy as a whole; - initiates and accomplishes cooperation on issues of common interest, with the members of the Chamber from the other associations within the Chamber and international economic cooperation, in accordance with the program activities and general regulations of the Chamber; - performs other activities of interest of the members, within the competences of the Chamber. The organization and the manner of operation of the association are regulated with rules, in accordance with the provisions of this Statute. Article 29 The associations cooperate mutually on issues of common interest. In order to coordinate the actions on issues of common interest, the managing boards of two or more associations may maintain joint sessions. If no agreement is reached in two or more associations on issue of common interest for the associations, the issue is sent to the Managing Board of the Chamber, for taking attitude, together with relevant explanation of the attitudes of the respective associations. Article 30 The association has the Managing Board, as a managing body. The members of the Managing Board are elected on a plenary session of the association, from the representatives of the members of the association. 2. THE REGIONAL CHAMBER Article 31 The regional chamber is a structure of territorial organization and operation within the Chamber, whose function provides decentralization of the tasks and activities of the Chamber and independence of the members in the decision making on the activities and tasks of the Chamber that are of particular significance for the region for which it is organized. The regional chamber may be organized for two or more municipalities, and the Assembly of the Chamber determines the total numbers of the regional chambers within the Chamber. Article 32 The regional chamber, in particular: - examines the issues in relation to the advancement of the production, turnover and economic services, and the current problems of the economy in the region in which is organized; - realizes the decentralization of the chamber's tasks and activities within the region; - examines proposals and initiates adoption of regulations which are in the competence of the bodies of the Chamber; - examines issues and initiates proposals for the development of entrepreneurship in the region;
12 - participates in establishing of development and structural priorities in the region, in particular, in conception the attitudes and proposals for operation with the space, environment, and for the economic infrastrucure development (local roads, power supply, public works, transport, etc.); - initiates procedures for adoption of regulations and measures in the field of economy, of interest for the economy in the region in which is organized or for the economy in the country; - performs business-professional and infrastructure services of interest for the economy in the region; - initiates and accomplishes cooperation on issues of common interest with the members of the Chamber of the neighbouring regions or with regional chambers from the other countries, in accordance with the program activities and the general regulations of the Chamber; - co-ordinates the different interests which appeared between the members of the chamber in the region; - performs other actives in the interest of its members, within the competences of the Chamber. The organization and the manner of operation of the regional chamber are regulated with rules, in accordance with the provisions of this Statute. Article 33 The regional chamber has a Managing Board, as a managing body. The members of the Managing Board are elected on the plenary session of the regional chamber, from the representatives of the members of the Chamber of the region where the regional chamber is organized. 3. OTHER FORMS OF ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION Article 34 In the scope of the Chamber, members of the Chamber may organize and operate in sections, boards and other organizational and operational forms, for the purpose of more efficient accomplishment of their specific interests in a particular field, activity, etc., in accordance with this Statute. The decision for organization and operation, and the manner of providing resources for the operation of the forms of organization and operation of paragraph 1 of this Article may be adopted by the Managing Board of the Chamber, if it concerns their organization on the level of the Chamber, association according to activity, or regional chamber level; if it concerns their organization on the activity level, or regional chamber level, or particular economic entities - members of the Chamber, if it concerns their specific interests.
13 V. COOPERATION OF THE CHAMBER WITH THE OTHER ENTITIES Article 35 In the scope of the objectives and tasks established by the Law and this Statute, the Chamber cooperates with the competent state bodies, local selfmanagement bodies and other institutions, especially on economic system, development and economic policy, initiatives for adopting laws and other regulations in the field of economy, preparation of legal and other regulations in the field of economy and other issues of interest for the economy. Article 36 The Chamber cooperates with chambers of commerce and other relevant national and international economic associations and other institutions abroad, through institutional and other forms of cooperation, in order to promote the economic cooperation and to develop economic relations abroad. The cooperation with the chambers and other associations and institutions abroad is established through direct contacts, exchange of information, joint chambers, business councils, mutually organized general economic and tourist information advertising, fairs, exhibitions and other promotional activities, business visits, establishing of foreign trade network, business connection and information, etc. VI. GENERAL PROVISIONS OF THE CHAMBER Article 37 The general provisions of the Chamber are: the Statute, rules, decisions, conclusions, recommendations, views and opinions and other general provisions, which are in accordance with the Law and this Statute, and are adopted by the Assembly, Managing Board and other bodies and structures of organization and operation within the Chamber. Article 38 The Managing Board may establish the proposal for the adoption of the Statute of the Chamber, and its amendments, and the Supervisory Board, the President of the Chamber and the structures of organization and operation within the Chamber may raise the initiative for its adoption. The initiative for adoption, or amending of the Statute is adopted by the Managing Board of the Chamber that determines the text of the draft-statute, or the decision of its amendments, and establishes the manner of conduct and the public debate duration time. Article 39 The Statute and the other general provisions of the Chamber are published in the Chambers` bulletin and on the Chamber's web portal, in the course of three days after the day of their adoption.
14 The Statute of the Chamber enters in the force on the eighth day from the day of its publication, and the other provisions from the day of their publication on manner set in paragraph 1 of this Article. VII. PERMANENT COURT OF ARBITRATION ATTACHED TO THE CHAMBER Article 40 The Permanent Court of Arbitration exists attached to the Camber, as an independent body. Article 41 The Permanent Court of Arbitration shall decide on mutual business disputes between the members of the Chamber, between the members of the Chamber and the third parties, as well as, between other domestic and foreign legal entities, if parties have agreed on the competence of this Court. The decisions of the Permanent Court of Arbitration is final and have force of a legally binding award. Article 42 The competence, composition and organization of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, and the procedure on subjects of its competence are established by general enactment adopted by the Assembly of the Chamber. VIII. THE COURT OF HONOR WITHIN THE CHAMBER Article 43 A Court of Honor exists within the Chamber, as an independent body. The Court of Honor decides in cases on violation of good business practices in the operation, as well as in cases of violation, which disrupt the market economy principles, in cases of no-fulfillment of obligations of the members of the Chamber and on other violations of the provisions of this Statute and other regulations of the bodies and structures of organization and operation of the Chamber, if by law or other rule for particular damage is not determined the competence of the other body. As violations of the good business practice are particularly considered: - actions of the members of the Chamber that contrary to the good business practices, cause damages to the citizen, legal person or to the Republic of Macedonia, to municipalities or the city of Skopje; - abuse in the turnover of goods; - unfair competition; - arrangement aimed to gain monopoly and other privilege position on the market; - to put on sale goods without declaration or with the wrong declaration; - groundless avoiding to fulfill the agreed obligations; - unfair relation towards the customers;
15 - bad performance of the services and refusal to proceed according to the customers complaints; - unfair advertising; - concluding of fictitious contracts; and - other violations that may be considered as violations on good business practices Article 44 For the violations on good business practices and over the provisions of the Statute and other regulations of the Chamber, the Court of Honor may pronounce: - Reminder or - Public reminder, by publishing in the media. Article 45 The competence, composition and organization of the Court of Honor, the manner of the election and resigning of its members, and procedure for deciding on the matters under its competence, as well as the competence, election and resigning of the prosecutor, are specified in a general provision adopted by the Assembly of the Chamber. IX. PUBLICITY IN THE OPERATION OF THE CHAMBER Article 46 The operation of the Chamber is public. The publicity in the operation of the Chamber is provided directly through its openness and the possibility to attend the sessions of the bodies and structures of organization and operation of the Chamber and other meetings within the Chamber. The publicity is provided through regularly informing the members of the Chamber about the activities of the Chamber; publishing of the decisions of the bodies of the Chamber through the Chamber s bulletin and on the Chambers web portal; publishing brochures, magazines, etc.; submitting special information to the members of the Chamber and to the competent, respectively interested entities and other forms set by the decision of the body, or structure of organization and operation within the Chamber in the scope of which are the matters for which the need of providing of this kind of publicity of the operation is established. The publicity is provided also in the cooperation with the media, on manner and under conditions according to which, a complete independent and objective information about the operation of the Chamber is established. Article 47 The Chamber has its bulletin, which is published in written and electronic form.
16 The Chamber publishes regular and periodical bulletins, surveys, magazines and other means of information, through which informs its members and the public. Article 48 The Chamber informs its members and the public of the decisions, attitudes, proposals and views adopted on the sessions of the bodies and the structures of organization and operation within the Chamber. The Chamber publishes the decisions of the bodies of the Chamber in the Chamber s bulletin and on the Chamber s web portal. Article 49 The body of the Chamber that, establishes, adopts or issues, determines the degree of the secrecy of documents or particular data, which are secret in accordance with the law or provisions of the Chamber, if the information given to unauthorized person, because of their nature and importance would be opposite to the interest of all the members of the Chamber, respectively the country. The members of the organs and the bodies of the Chamber and the employees in the Professional Service are obliged to keep as business secret all the information and data of the operation of the members and of the Economic Chamber of Macedonia, and have a status as confident, or are considered as business secret with a special enactment. The person that gives data and information connected with the operation of the Chamber is responsible for their being true and accurate. X. THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE OF THE CHAMBER Article 50 The Professional Service of the Chamber carries out the professional, adnministrative-technical, auxiliary and other activities of the Chamber. The Professional Service carries out the administrative-professional activities connected with the preparation and implementation of the Statute, decisions, conclusions and other provisions of the bodies and the structures of organization and operation within the Chamber, and the legal and other provisions concerning the activity of the Chamber. The Professional Service prepares information, analysis, drafts on general and other provisions for the needs of the Chamber, views and proposals on laws and other provisions in the field of economy, views and proposals on enactment in which are established the attitudes of the Chamber relating to the economic policy on national, regional and local level. The employees in the Professional Service have special responsibility in regard to data they collected from the companies, concerning their use and publishing. The Professional Service provides business information, data, professional advises, proposals, suggestions, etc., which enable the operation of the members of the Chamber.
17 The Professional Service provides its services mainly for the members of the Chamber, as well as for the domestic and foreign legal and natural entities, which are not members of the Chamber. The Professional Service in carrying out its activities cooperates with professional services of the members of the Chamber, with scientific, professional and other institutions in the country and abroad. Article 51 The Chamber has the Secretary General, who represents the Chamber in property and other legal matters, manages and organizes the operation of the Professional Service of the Chamber, makes decisions concerning the employment of the employees in the Professional Service and in realization of the general provisions of the Professional Service and performs other activities in accordance with the general provisions and decisions of the bodies of the Chamber. The Secretary General organizes the preparing and holding of the sessions of the Assembly and the Managing Board of the Chamber. XI. THE PROPERTY AND THE RESOURCES FOR THE OPERATION OF THE CHAMBER Article 52 Immovables and the objects of continuous value as part of the property of the Chamber, cannot be alienated (transfered), or put in pledge, or to give without compensation, except in cases when their value and functionality is increased, which is decided by the Assembly of the Chamber. Article 53 The resources for the operation of the Chamber shall be provided by: - contribution fee paid by its members; - fees for professional and other services; - fees for performing public authorizations; - special-purpose funds; - other resources.. The amount of the contribution fee, the manner and term of its payment is determined by the Assembly of the Chamber. The members of the Chamber have obligation to pay regularly the contribution fee on manner and in term determined with the decision of the Assembly of the Chamber. Article 54 The Assembly of the Chamber determines the amount and the manner of division of the financial resources for the needs of the associations according to activity and of the regional chambers within the Chamber. Associations according to activities, respectively the regional chambers may decide besides the resources of paragraph 1 of this Article, to provide also special resources for special purposes for the needs of the members of the associations, respectively regional chambers.
18 Article 55 For the realization of particular activities of their interest which are not financed with the Financial plan of the Chamber, or to finance special activities, which are not determined with the annual program of work of the Chamber, some members of the Chamber may join the resources or may establish special-purpose funds within the Chamber, which the members of the Chamber dispose independently in accordance with the provision of their association and the general provision of the Chamber. Article 56 The resources, which are paid as deposit, or refund, for the disputes which are resolving by the Permanent Court of Arbitration and the Court of Honor, as well as other cases, established by the law or general provision of the Chamber, are used in accordance with the general provisions which regulate their payment. XII. TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS Article 57 This Statute enters into force on the eighth day from the day of its publication in the Chamber's bulletin and on the Chamber's web portal. * * * This Statute is adopted on the Constitutional Session of the Assembly of the Economic Chamber of Macedonia, held on March 10 th, 2005. No. 07-1018/4 10.03.2005 Skopje