Author: Bernd Otto Schlenther
Publisher:
Published: 2018
Total Pages:
ISBN-13:
DOWNLOAD EBOOK →Developing countries are hard-pressed to spend more on public services and infrastructure, if they want their economies to grow and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). As such, they need to increase their tax effort by increasing tax revenue as a percentage of GDP. Tax policy formulation faces many complexities in developing countries and is continuously challenged by macro-economic volatility and an ever-changing risk environment. So-called aÌ22́Ơ¿3illicit financial flowsaÌ22́Ơ℗+ (IFFs) from developing countries in Africa are said to be pervasive and detrimental to African economies, because they pose risks to macro-economic stability, tax revenues and governance. Literature identifies various reasons for IFFs. These may include tax evasion, smuggling, people trafficking, abusive transfer pricing and customs fraud, currency exchange violations, money laundering, corruption and terrorist financing aÌ22́Ơ0́− or a combination of these. Broad consensus exists that IFFs are ill defined, and this in turn implies that different policy handles may be available to address the problem. I focus on tax policy as a key component to address IFFs: aside from its revenue mobilization properties, it is an important tool for good governance, democracy and the basis for the social fiscal contract between governments, on the one hand, and citizens and corporations, on the other. I apply the social sciences theory of aÌ22́Ơ¿3wicked problemsaÌ22́Ơ℗+ to the concept aÌ22́Ơ¿3IFFs,aÌ22́Ơ℗+ in order to ascertain whether IFFs meet the criteria of wicked problems as set by Rittel and Webber in aÌ22́Ơ¿3Dilemmas in a General Theory of PlanningaÌ22́Ơ℗+ (1973), and whether the concept aÌ22́Ơ¿3IFFsaÌ22́Ơ℗+ qualifies as a wicked problem. This requires that, as a minimum, the prominent inter-connected subsets of problems which cut across multiple policy domains and levels of government are identified before a solution can be framed. I use the diamond industry value chain to illustrate how inter-connected subsets of problems and policy overlaps related to IFFs, manifest. I choose the diamond industry because it can be viewed as a microcosm that is illustrative of the pervasiveness of IFFs. In framing a solution, I explore whether action strategies or collaborative approaches, such as knowledge networks or other forms of horizontal government initiatives, for example the whole of government approach, are feasible solutions to address IFFs. I identify the main types of risks in the diamond value chain and action strategies to address these risks. I find that tax policy on its own, no matter how well developed, is insufficient to address IFF concerns and that sound anti-money laundering and anti-corruption policies are equally important. I find that a aÌ22́Ơ¿3whole of government approachaÌ22́Ơ℗+ supported by sound risk management practices, is best suited to address wicked problems such as IFFs.
Author: OECD
Publisher: OECD Publishing
Published: 2014-04-23
Total Pages: 128
ISBN-13: 9264203508
DOWNLOAD EBOOK →This publication identifies the main areas of weakness and potential areas for action to combat money-laundering, tax evasion, foreign bribery, and to identify, freeze and return stolen assets.
Author: Gerard Emmanuel Kamdem Kamga
Publisher: Lexington Books
Published: 2024-02-15
Total Pages: 339
ISBN-13: 1666932310
DOWNLOAD EBOOK →Gerard Emmanuel Kamdem Kamga, Serges Djoyou Kamga, and Arnold Kwesiga explore a relatively new phenomenon, namely referred to as illicit financial flows, that aim to impoverish the African continent and prevent its economic development. There is a direct relationship between illicit financial flows and failed initiatives to realize the right to development on the continent. For instance, in 2016, Africa received $41 billion towards public development while $50 billion left the continent through illicit financial flows. The gap between recent economic achievements on the continent and its state of generalized underdevelopment coupled with rampant poverty, corruption, prolonged economic crisis, and political instabilities signals an issue with resource allocations. The systematic theft of resources by multinational corporations and criminal networks is a hard blow to the idea of people-driven development in line with the Pan African vision of “an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa” proclaimed by Agenda 2063. Right to Development and Illicit Financial Flows from Africa: Dynamics, Perspectives, and Prospects provides insights into the dynamics and perspectives on illicit financial flows and its dire impacts on the right to development and development initiatives across the continent.
Author: Tax Justice Network-Africa
Publisher: Fahamu/Pambazuka
Published: 2011-10-20
Total Pages: 95
ISBN-13: 0857490427
DOWNLOAD EBOOK →This short introduction to issues of tax justice explains the meaning and causes of tax injustice and offers options for a better future. Providing insight into the specific failures of Africa s tax systemand the associated problems of capital flight, tax evasion, tax avoidance, and tax competitionthis book explores the role of governments, parliaments, and taxpayers, and asks how stakeholders can help achieve tax justice. Arguing that tax revenues are essential for establishing independent states of free citizens, it demonstrates how the tax consensus promoted by multilateral agencies, such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, has influenced tax policy in Africa and led to a reduction in government revenues in many countries. "
Author: World Bank Group
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Published: 2017-01-23
Total Pages: 304
ISBN-13: 1464809518
DOWNLOAD EBOOK →Why are carefully designed, sensible policies too often not adopted or implemented? When they are, why do they often fail to generate development outcomes such as security, growth, and equity? And why do some bad policies endure? World Development Report 2017: Governance and the Law addresses these fundamental questions, which are at the heart of development. Policy making and policy implementation do not occur in a vacuum. Rather, they take place in complex political and social settings, in which individuals and groups with unequal power interact within changing rules as they pursue conflicting interests. The process of these interactions is what this Report calls governance, and the space in which these interactions take place, the policy arena. The capacity of actors to commit and their willingness to cooperate and coordinate to achieve socially desirable goals are what matter for effectiveness. However, who bargains, who is excluded, and what barriers block entry to the policy arena determine the selection and implementation of policies and, consequently, their impact on development outcomes. Exclusion, capture, and clientelism are manifestations of power asymmetries that lead to failures to achieve security, growth, and equity. The distribution of power in society is partly determined by history. Yet, there is room for positive change. This Report reveals that governance can mitigate, even overcome, power asymmetries to bring about more effective policy interventions that achieve sustainable improvements in security, growth, and equity. This happens by shifting the incentives of those with power, reshaping their preferences in favor of good outcomes, and taking into account the interests of previously excluded participants. These changes can come about through bargains among elites and greater citizen engagement, as well as by international actors supporting rules that strengthen coalitions for reform.
Author: OECD
Publisher: OECD Publishing
Published: 2021-06-17
Total Pages: 78
ISBN-13: 9264572872
DOWNLOAD EBOOK →First published in 2017, Fighting Tax Crime - The Ten Global Principles is the first comprehensive guide to fighting tax crimes. It sets out ten essential principles covering the legal, institutional, administrative, and operational aspects necessary for developing an efficient and effective system for identifying, investigating and prosecuting tax crimes, while respecting the rights of accused taxpayers.
Author: Simeon Ibidayo Ajayi
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Published: 2015
Total Pages: 455
ISBN-13: 0198718551
DOWNLOAD EBOOK →A comprehensive thematic analysis of capital flight from Africa, it covers the role of safe havens, offshore financial centres, and banking secrecy in facilitating illicit financial flows and provides rich insights to policy makers interested in designing strategies to address the problems of capital flight and illicit financial flows.
Author: OECD
Publisher: OECD Publishing
Published: 2017-03-27
Total Pages: 326
ISBN-13: 9264267999
DOWNLOAD EBOOK →This publication contains the following four parts: A model Competent Authority Agreement (CAA) for the automatic exchange of CRS information; the Common Reporting Standard; the Commentaries on the CAA and the CRS; and the CRS XML Schema User Guide.
Author: International Monetary Fund
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
Published: 2007-05-21
Total Pages: 203
ISBN-13: 1451815085
DOWNLOAD EBOOK →Gibraltar’s Detailed Assessment Report on Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Combating the Financing of Terrorism is reviewed. The principal AML risk to Gibraltar is lodged in its professional sector, which is likely to be involved in the layering and integration of proceeds of crime. There is also some risk to Gibraltar at the placement stage, in connection with drug trafficking, migrant smuggling, and organized crime in southern Spain. The Financial Services Commission in Gibraltar has established a strong, risk-based framework for financial institutions for AML.