He said there was no alternative to voluntary membership in the Croatian Chambers of Trades and Crafts (HOK), or in the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK), and that his suggestion was that it be applied as of 1 July 2014.
He said this was the position of the ruling Social Democratic Party but that it was open to further discussion about the matter within the ruling coalition and that the coalition would not break up because of this issue.
Maras said a survey showed than more than 77 per cent of small business owners and 93.2 per cent of entrepreneurs wanted HOK and HGK membership to be voluntary. He added that 74.8 per cent of small businesses and 80.9 per cent of companies had never used HOK's services.
The minister reiterated that voluntary membership did not mean that the two chambers would be closed.
He also commented on HGK president Nadan Vidosevic's statement that he did not know about the actions of his closest associate, who is suspected of financial wrongdoing. Maras said such a statement indicated that "there's something there."
Vidosevic's chief of staff Zdenka Peternel is suspected of involvement in the siphoning of more than HRK 32 million (4.2 million euros) from the HGK. She has been placed in custody for one month.
The minister said he had hoped that Vidosevic would say that this was not true. "If he says he didn't know, there's something there and I think this is just awful. This is entrepreneurs' money, stolen from people in times of crisis, when jobs are being lost."
This is a disgrace for the HGK and it undermines the integrity of similar institutions, he said, adding that the accusations were "very harsh."
Asked if he thought Vidosevic should resign, Maras said, "I would no longer be minister in a situation like this if this proved to be true."