The tax-to-GDP ratio in 2015 continued to vary by 1 to 2 across the EU Member States
The overall tax-to-GDP ratio, meaning the sum of taxes and net social contributions as a percentage of GDP, stood at 40.0% in the European Union (EU) in 2015, stable compared with 2014. In the euro area, tax revenue accounted in 2015 for 41.4% of GDP...
Start-up and Scale-up Initiative: a mixed bag
The European Commission’s Start-up and Scale-up Initiative contains some positive elements mixed with others of less obvious impact.
OECD marks Poland’s 20 years of membership, sets out path to a more knowledge-based economy
Poland has achieved impressive progress in improving the living standards of its citizens over the past 20 years but needs to continue to move towards higher technology, boosting productivity and improving access to quality jobs and good pay,...
Finland could do more to help vulnerable laid-off workers
Access to more intensive employment services before and after dismissal could help disadvantaged laid-off workers get back into employment, according to a new OECD report.
Countries adopt multilateral convention to close tax treaty loopholes and improve functioning of international tax system
More than 100 jurisdictions have concluded negotiations on a multilateral instrument that will swiftly implement a series of tax treaty measures to update international tax rules and lessen the opportunity for tax avoidance by multinational...
Spurred by patent and trademark applications in China, global innovation flies high – UN agency
WIPO Director General Francis Gurry speaks at a press conference at the United Nations Office in Geneva, Switzerland...
IMF Executive Board Concludes Article IV Consultation with Mexico
On November 16, 2016, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultationwith Mexico.
IMF Completes 2016 Article IV Consultation with Honduras
On October 26, 2016, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV Consultation with Honduras.
Modest Growth in Europe and Central Asia Amidst Growing Polarization, Says World Bank Report
There will be a modest increase in GDP growth in 2016 for countries in the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region. Low oil and other commodity prices in the eastern half of the region, a decline in investment rates in the European Union, and ongoing...
Conflict minerals: MEPs secure mandatory due diligence for importers
All but the smallest EU importers of tin, tungsten, tantalum, gold and their ores will have to do "due diligence" checks on their suppliers, and big manufacturers will also have to disclose how they plan to monitor their sources to comply with the...
