Abbotsford city council has approved the development of a bylaw to participate in a one-year inter-municipal business licence pilot program with nine other communities.

Abbotsford is partnering with Mission, Chilliwack, Hope, Langley City and Township of Langley, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Surrey and the province to establish the new IML.

The project will allow companies such as contractors doing business in a variety of communities to obtain a single additional licence from their local municipality, which allows them to operate in all the other participating cities.

The IML or mobile business licence is expected to cost $250 and be revenue neutral for the participating municipalities. To start the pilot in January 2013, all nine municipalities must agree to the project's terms.

Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce presented the idea to council in February, noting it would cut down on red tape and make the city more business friendly.