The Chamber of Commerce and Industry East Thuringia is a self-governing body of the business community in Thuringia representing the general interest of its 33 000 member companies. In Germany, Chambers of Commerce and Industry are public corporations with compulsory membership. All German companies registered in Germany, with the exception of handicraft businesses, the free professions and farms, are required by law to join a chamber of Commerce and Industry. This gives the association considerable political influence.