Mar 19, 2024

Africa is home to approximately 1.4 billion people[1], about 16 percent of the world’s population, yet its continental share in global trade remains below 3 percent[2], according to the World Trade Organization (WTO). This suboptimal proportion of world trade is compounded by Africa's limited intra-continental trade. During the 26th Africa Business Conference (ABC) held at Harvard Business School (HBS) on the 17^th of February 20, 2024, industry experts, policymakers, students, faculty members, and entrepreneurs converged to interrogate these concerns and explore opportunities for improving intra-African trade. 

Mar 28, 2024

On March 26, the study group met for the first time to examine recent democratic progress and backsliding in African countries. The session focused on ongoing conflicts in different regions of Africa and examined their political underpinnings. Participants also discussed the role of third-party actors in supporting and facilitating conflict mediation and peacebuilding efforts in the continent. The study group counted with the presence of external expert guest Dr. Antje Herrberg, Chief of Staff of the European Union Capacity Building Mission in Niger (EUCAP Sahel Niger). Dr. Herrberg brings more than two decades of professional and personal experience in transition and conflict resolution, intractable conflict, and terrorism with a deep interest to alleviate the suffering of people. Furthermore, Florian Dirmayer, Master in Public Policy Candidate at Harvard Kennedy School, delivered a memo briefing on European Union Security Cooperation with Niger After the 2023 Military Coup.

Mar 28, 2024

We have heard much about the puzzle that US economic performance under President Joe Biden has been much stronger than voters perceive it to be.  But the current episode is just one instance of a bigger historical puzzle:  the US economy has since World War II consistently done better under Democratic presidents than under Republican presidents.  This fact is even less widely known, including among Democratic voters, than the truth about Biden’s term.  Indeed, some poll results suggest that more Americans believe the reverse, that Republican presidents are better stewards of the economy than Democrats.

Apr 9, 2024

On April 2, the study group met for the second time to evaluate the role of international humanitarian groups in shaping political and social outcomes in Africa. The group examined how these organizations deal with emergencies, crises, and conflict situations across the continent, and scrutinized their influence on policy decisions and discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of their involvement. Discussions covered the expanding influence of organizations like the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), and the International Rescue Committee (ICR). The study group counted with the presence of external expert guest Professor Sabs K. Quereshi, a senior-level leader with 17+ years of experience in global health, gender equality, health policy and equity, national security, humanitarian response, and government and multilateral affairs sectors in the U.S., with the UN, and worldwide.

Apr 11, 2024

On April 9, the study group met for the third time to examine economic development in Africa. The group explored connections between politics and economic growth trajectories across the continent, and analyzed the role of political instability and policy decisions in fostering development. Discussions covered the impact of factors like commodity markets, foreign aid, trade deals, and regional integration initiatives on development indicators. The study group counted with the presence of external expert guest H.E. Patrick Achi, former Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire. Prime Minister Achi shared about his experience at the highest level of government and presented the story of Côte d’Ivoire’s post-independence development as a microcosm of the broader challenges and opportunities facing African nations.

Apr 18, 2024

The fourth session addressed the pressing issue of climate change and its political implications in Africa. This session highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change effects on African nations and how governments are responding through policy measures. A significant focus of the discussion was placed on current climate financial models and the challenges to accessing funding for renewable energy and electrification projects in Africa. The study group counted with the presence of external expert speaker Ely Sandler, Fellow at the Belfer Center. Ely has worked as a senior consultant at the World Bank and previously at Morgan Stanley for nearly a decade. Policy proposals that Ely developed at Harvard were presented at COP27 and are now being adopted by the World Bank and UAE COP28 Presidency, with the hope of catalyzing trillions of dollars of green investment, in part through Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

May 24, 2024

At first glance, the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism may look like a potential source of international discord. But a closer look suggests that the EU’s strict carbon-pricing regime may be the best chance the world has to achieve the Paris climate agreement’s ambitious emissions-reduction goals.

Jun 26, 2024

Global demand for renewable energy is surging so why make solar panels, wind turbines and EVs dearer for western consumers?

The Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department has announced a further reduction to the interest rate payable on Tax Reserve Certificates.

The EFTA Surveillance Authority has closed its investigations into the tax ruling practices of Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, without finding any evidence of state aid infringements.

Hong Kong's Inland Revenue Department has explained COVID-19 tax concessions available for taxpayers struggling to pay their tax dues and has highlighted upcoming property tax obligations.

The British Virgin Islands Government has released a statement expressing concerns on the proposals being discussed by the OECD to establish modernized rules for the digitalized economy, including a minimum global corporate tax rate.

The Colombian Government has issued Decree 939 of August 19, 2021, which enables the tax agency to revise an assessment for potentially viable companies that are facing insolvency, where doing so may save the company and jobs.

The Singaporean Government has announced it will amend provisions on transfer pricing adjustments in the draft Income Tax (Amendment) Bill 2021, which includes measures announced in the 2021 Budget, following a consultation.

On September 22, 2020, Germany provided further details about the government's tax policy priorities for its presidency of the European Union.

Ukraine and Austria intend to revise their double tax agreement to raise rates of tax on cross-border income and introduce measures to combat tax base erosion and profit shifting.

The European Commission is undertaking infringement proceedings against Belgium regarding the taxation of shares held by life insurance companies, the taxation of income from savings deposits, and the deductibility of alimony payments.

The Swiss Federal Council has approved proposed legislative changes to alter how the country interprets double tax agreement provisions.

The Government of the Cayman Islands has published legislation in its Official Gazette to introduce a regulatory regime for virtual asset service providers (VASPs).

European Court of Justice (ECJ) Advocate General Juliane Kokott has opined that the Commission was right to consider that the Belgian practice of making downward adjustments to profits of undertakings forming part of multinational groups, under the "excess profit" ruling scheme, constituted an aid scheme.

The Dutch Government has issued a decree to ensure the country's dividend withholding tax rules comply with the European Court of Justice's ruling in the Sofina case.

Austrian lawmakers have signed off on the introduction of new limits on the deductibility of interest expenses for multinational corporations.

On February 8, 2021, the European Commission launched a consultation on a review of the VAT rules for financial and insurance services.

The Internal Revenue Service launched tax season for individuals on February 15, 2021, highlighting the various supports available for taxpayers when preparing their returns.

The Swedish tax authority has announced that it will be expending more resources this year on ensuring businesses fully declare income from e-commerce and taxpayers report income from home rentals.

Belgium has published in its Official Gazette legislation to introduce the country's new tax on securities accounts.

The Philippines Department of Finance has announced that the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) will complete the implementing rules and regulations for the corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act by the third week of May.

Mexico has recently enacted legislative amendments to various tax laws in a bid to restrict the ability of companies to enter into outsourcing arrangements.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin has signed a law to terminate the country's double tax agreement with the Netherlands.

The Hong Kong Government has announced that the comprehensive double tax agreement it signed with Georgia last year will enter into force on July 1.

The US Senate has approved the inclusion of new provisions in the bipartisan infrastructure bill to require intermediaries involved in cryptocurrency trading to report details about transactions.

China's Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation have issued a statement announcing tax relief from the Urban Maintenance and Construction Tax.

The European Commission has committed to tabling a proposal for a digital tax in October, whether or not an international agreement surfaces from OECD-led talks on new international tax rules for the world's largest firms.

China has set out the priorities of the Belt and Road Initiative Tax Administration Cooperation Mechanism (BRITACOM) Council over the next five years, at the 36-country grouping's second forum.

EU finance ministers have agreed an update to the rules governing value-added tax rates for goods and services.

Legislation has been enacted in Ecuador to introduce new taxes on companies and wealthy individuals, to fund government efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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