Tasks and responsibilities

The Business Committee is a standing committee that has a very broad agenda. The committee addresses many different topics related to trade and industrial policies, including:

• trade
• export
• craft
• industry
• shipping
• pilotage service
• tourism 
• the financial sector
• corporate legislation
• accounting and auditing
• currency legislation
• price legislation
• trade legislation 
• competition legislation
• patents
• brands and designs
• business development
• growth
• investment incentives

Bills and parliamentary scrutiny of government work

The committee’s tasks and responsibilities can be subdivided into two primary areas: handling of bills and motions; and parliamentary scrutiny. In particular of administration carried out by the Industry Minister of government business policy, etc. and observance of laws passed and mandates agreed upon by the Danish Government within the committee’s remit.

Much of the committee’s work involves parliamentary scrutiny of the government. In practice, scrutiny is exercised through the standing committee members’ asking questions to the Minister.

Legislative work is the other main path in the committee’s work. Most bills are tabled by the government and debated in the Chamber and by the committee. Individual committee members may also table motions within the committee’s remit. The Business Committee is a legislatively onerous committee that handles many bills each year, many of which spring from EU legislation.