EU: Joint European Action for Affordable and Sustainable Energy
On 8 March 2022 the European Commission issued a communication entitled REPowerEU: Joint European Action for more affordable, secure and sustainable energy. This document notes that the current geopolitical situation requires independence from
See MoreIMF Report Looks at the Economy of Hong Kong SAR
On 8 March 2022, the IMF published a report following discussions with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China, under Article IV of the IMF’s articles of agreement. The economy of Hong Kong SAR has undergone a strong
See MoreOECD: Tax Report for the G20 Finance Ministers
On 18 February 2022 the OECD presented its tax report for the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors. The main parts of the report are summarised below. Two-Pillar International Tax Package In October 2021 the OECD Inclusive
See MoreThailand: Amendments to Tobacco Tax and Regulation
It was reported on 17 February 2022 that the Cabinet in Thailand has approved a five-year road map to reduce the level of tobacco consumption and improve overall public health by strategies that combine regulation, information and revised tobacco
See MoreIMF report looks at tax reforms in Morocco
On 9 February 2022 the IMF published a report following discussions with Morocco under Article IV of the IMF’s articles of association. After contracting in 2020, the economy is estimated to have grown by 6.3% in 2021. GDP growth is projected
See MoreEU: Role of Environmental Taxation in Supporting the Transition to Sustainability
On 7 February 2022 the European Environment Agency (EEA) issued a briefing entitled The role of environmental taxation in supporting sustainability transitions. This examines trends in taxes on pollution, greenhouse gases and resource use and
See MoreIMF report on Israel’s economy recommends tax changes
On 7 February 2022 the IMF published a report on Israel’s economy following discussions under Article IV of the IMF’s articles of agreement. The IMF notes that Israel managed the pandemic well, providing effective government support to the
See MoreGhana Revenue Authority Proposes Revisions to Tobacco Tax
On 26 January 2022 the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) announced that revisions to the Tobacco Tax will be implemented later this year after consultations with relevant stakeholders are completed. The GRA intends to introduce a combination of
See MoreGhana: Report Recommends Changes to Tobacco Taxation
On 26 January 2022 the Vision for Alternative Development (VALD), a Ghanaian NGO, released a Study Report on Economics of Tobacco in Ghana. The report recommended the re-introduction of a specific tax in addition to the ad-valorem tax system and
See MoreNew Zealand: OECD Economic Survey for 2022 Recommends Tax Adjustments
On 31 January 2022 the OECD published the New Zealand Economic Survey 2022. The report notes that more consolidation measures are necessary to stabilise the fiscal position, and emphasises the need to increase productivity, increase the housing
See MoreEU: Auditors Review Energy Taxation and Carbon Pricing
A review published on 31 January 2022 by the European Court of Auditors entitled Energy Taxation, Carbon Pricing and Energy Subsidies notes that the EU countries tax and subsidise energy sources in a manner that contradicts their climate goals; and
See MoreWTO: Director General Outlines Initiatives for Responsible and Sustainable Trade
On 28 January 2022 the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) gave a keynote speech at a conference on more responsible and sustainable trade, held in France which currently has the presidency of the European Union. The speech
See MoreIMF: Report Looks at Japan’s Economic Position
On 27 January 2022 the IMF issued a report on Japan’s economy following consultations under Article IV of the IMF’s articles of agreement. The report notes that Japan’s economy has begun to recover from the pandemic following a supportive
See MoreIMF: Report on the Economy of Hong Kong SAR
On 20 January 2022 the IMF published a report on the economy of Hong Kong SAR (China) following discussions under Article IV of the IMF’s articles of agreement. Hong Kong SAR's economy has recovered strongly from a number of domestic and
See MoreOECD: Measuring the Effective Taxation of Housing
An OECD Working Paper published on 14 January 2022 is entitled Measuring Effective Taxation of Housing: Building the Foundations for Policy Reform. The working paper looks at 40 countries in the OECD and its partner economies and considers the
See MoreOECD: Revisiting Alcohol Prices for Healthier Lives
An OECD blog post of 13 January 2022 is entitled Revisiting Alcohol Pricing Policies for Healthier Lives. The blog post notes that decisions on alcohol policy involve a balance between health objectives and broader economic aims, and examines the
See MoreNigeria: President signs Finance Bill 2021 into Law
On 31 December 2021, the President, Muhammadu Buhari, signed the Finance Bill 2021 into Law at an event at the state house. The Act introduces various changes to 12 different laws in Nigeria. On 21 December 2021, Senate passed this Finance Bill
See MoreIMF: Report Looks At Jordan’s Fiscal Position
On 20 December 2021 the IMF released a report following the third review under Jordan’s extended arrangement. The report noted that Jordan has remained on course with the reform program supported by the IMF, with macroeconomic stability
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