IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings: World Economic Outlook
The October 2024 update of the World Economic Outlook was launched during the IMF/World Bank annual meetings. The report notes that global growth is expected to remain stable but at relatively low levels. The growth projection of 3.2% in 2024 and
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WTO: Global Trade Outlook and Statistics
In October 2024 the WTO published the latest Global Trade Outlook and Statistics. In the latest issue the WTO has revised its forecast for world merchandise trade growth in 2024 to 2.7%, which is slightly greater than the previous estimate of 2.6%.
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UN Tax Committee: Environmental Taxation
On 16 October 2024 the UN Tax Committee discussed environmental tax issues. The environmental taxation subcommittee presented some papers to the committee for discussion or approval. Phasing out fossil fuel subsidies A paper on phasing out
See MoreWTO: World Tariff Profiles 2024
On 25 July 2024 the WTO published World Tariff Profiles 2024, which sets out information on tariffs and non-tariff measures imposed by more than 170 countries and customs territories. The publication is issued jointly with the International Trade
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US: Oklahoma exempts digital mining equipment from sales and use tax
The state of Oklahoma enacted House Bill 1600 on 30 May, 2024, introducing a new sales and use tax exemption for specific equipment used in digital asset mining. This exemption covers sales of machinery, equipment, and electricity used for
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US: USTR issues notice on section 301 proposed tariff changes and machinery exclusion process
The United States Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai issued a notice regarding the statutory review of tariff actions in the Section 301 investigation of China’s acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual
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Bangladesh might reduce duties on laptop imports
According to sources from the Finance Ministry, the Bangladeshi government is taking steps to ensure laptops are more affordable for freelancers and students, and to support the software manufacturing industry. Currently, importers pay a total of
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Bolivia amends procedures for export tax refund requests, includes surety insurance policy
Bolivia’s tax authority (Servicio de Impuestos Nacionales—SIN), on Thursday, 2 May, 2024, issued guidance “RND No. 102400000014”, in which it provided the following: After submitting an export tax refund request (SDI) with a
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Bolivia updates export tax refund regulations
On 10 April 2024, Bolivia announced Supreme Decree No. 5145, which introduces a new modality of export tax refund. The Decree aims to streamline the process of submitting tax refund requests. The key aspects of the Decree are: The deadline
See MorePlatform for Collaboration on Tax: Study of Carbon Pricing Metrics
On 8 September 2023 the Platform for Collaboration on Tax (PCT) issued a report on carbon pricing metrics. The PCT was set up for collaboration between the IMF, OECD, UN and the World Bank and supports countries in strengthening their tax systems by
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WTO Trade Policy Review of EU
The WTO is reviewing the trade policies and practices of the EU on 5 and 7 June 2023. The WTO Secretariat has produced a report as a basis for the review. During the period under review the EU made progress on major policy initiatives including
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UK: Consultation on Voluntary Standard for Customs Intermediaries
On 5 June 2023 the UK launched a consultation looking for the views of stakeholders on a proposal to introduce a voluntary standard for customs intermediaries. Views are invited from interested parties by 30 August 2023. The consultation follows
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EU: European Commission Announces Proposals for Customs Reform
On 17 May 2023 the European Commission set out proposals for a reform of the EU Customs Union. The proposals are a response to the large increase in the volume of trade in recent years, the growth in e-commerce and the need to enforce EU trading
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WTO: Building on Research for Better Trade Outcomes
A WTO blog by the Deputy Director General (DDG) Anabel Gonzalez published on 16 May 2023 noted that decisions on allocation of political and economic resources must be based on sound research and analysis. Currently it is difficult to implement
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WTO: Lessons learned from the pandemic
On 21 November 2022 the WTO’s Committee on Market Access held the fifth of a series of experience-sharing sessions on trade in goods related to the pandemic. The session looked at the main lessons learned from the pandemic and was preceded by a
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UK: Talks on Free Trade Agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council
On 22 August 2022, UK and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) negotiating teams met for the first round of negotiations on a free trade agreement. The talks are expected to continue for around two weeks and cover all areas of the FTA focusing on the main
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UK: Negotiations for Free Trade Agreement with India
Following the conclusion of a fifth round of talks between India and the UK on a free trade agreement (FTA), a factsheet was issued by the UK’s Department of International Trade on 19 August 2022. The fifth round of negotiations involved
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WTO: Latest Issue of World Tariff Profiles
On 29 July 2022 the World Trade Organization (WTO) issued the latest edition of its annual publication World Tariff Profiles. The publication sets out global tariff and non-tariff information on more than 170 countries and is issued in
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