Paris, 14 April 2017 — “Business at OECD calls for continued work founded on the OECD VAT/GST Guidelines, with the aim to foster certainty and a global level playing field on VAT/GST indirect taxation”, said  Karl-Heinz Haydl, Business Co-Chair of the OECD VAT Technical Advisory Group (TAG), at the 4th OECD Global Forum on VAT in Paris.

“Particularly when it comes to VAT/GST with business acting as tax collector, it is key to strike the right balance between safeguarding VAT/GST revenues for governments and keeping the administration costs and compliance burden for business low and manageable”, Haydl emphasized.

The OECD Global Forum on VAT, brings together over 300 government and business experts to explore how VAT/GST policies and their practical application around the world can safeguard VAT revenues and foster economic growth.

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Paris, 22 March 2017 – “If we want to ensure future-oriented, sustainable economic growth, business has an important role to play. We are ready to do so.” said B20-President Jürgen Heraeus during the final meeting of all B20 working groups on Wednesday in Paris. Co-hosted by Business at OECD (BIAC), the working groups will use the conference and finalize their recommendations for the upcoming G20 Sherpa Meeting this week.

Following the G20 Motto Shaping an Interconnected World, Heraeus explained: “This cooperation offers the outstanding opportunity to shape global economic governance. Our global economy is changing rapidly. We are facing a multitude of risks: climate change, political conflicts, terrorism to name just a few. The G20 can serve as an agenda setter. “

“Business at OECD provides continuity and expertise across G20 and B20 presidencies. We support the OECD in its vital mission to improve domestic and global economic governance. At a time when trade and investment across borders are subject of much ill-informed debate, OECD evidence on the substantial benefits of open and competitive markets is more important than ever”, said Business at OECD (BIAC) Chairman Phil O’Reilly.

B20 Germany has chosen the motto: Resilience, Responsibility and Responsiveness – Towards a Future-oriented, Sustainable World Economy. Resilience in an economic sense must be a holistic concept, including new frameworks for disruptive technologies brought about by digitalization and those suited for increased uncertainty around the world to ensure crisis-responsiveness. Responsible leaders should address challenges such as climate change and digitalization pro-actively. In the light of the recent rise of anti-globalization movements, the motto of “responsiveness” seems timelier than ever.

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Paris, 17 January 2017 – Addressing the OECD Health Committee at Ministerial Level, Business at OECD (BIAC) today emphasized the private sector role as  partner both in bringing innovative solutions in health and well-being and in intensifying public-private collaboration with OECD and governments.

Ministers from over 35 OECD and partner countries discussed the Next Generation of Health Reforms. This reflects the challenge that many countries face from the demographic transition to an ageing society and the associated increase in the burden of chronic diseases and related co-morbidities. The meeting addressed a number of topics, including ineffective health spending and avoiding waste, the opportunities offered by new health technologies, the role of health professionals and realizing the promise offered by Big Data in health.

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Paris, 7 December 2016 – Commenting on the public release of the OECD 2015 PISA Survey Results, Charles Fadel, Chair of the Business at OECD (BIAC) Education Committee said “Employers around the world value the importance of data, and PISA, as a unique instrument in its reach and quality, is the respected influential benchmark which […]

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Paris, 2nd December 2016 – Commenting from the meeting David Croft, BIAC Development Chair, said “For the Sustainable Development Goals to be effectively implemented the widespread support and cooperation of the private sector is crucial. Deepening successful and inclusive partnerships with business was rightly a key theme at this second High Level Meeting of the GPEDC and this approach is very welcome. Going forward we must recognize that fostering economic growth is fundamental to sustainable development and business is committed to working with other development actors to achieve this goal.”

 

About the 2nd High Level Meeting of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation

The Second High-Level Meeting (HLM2) aims to amplify the positive impact of development cooperation over the next 15 years. Hosted by the Government of Kenya, the meeting took place in Nairobi on 28 November – 1 December 2016. HLM2:

• took stock of the implementation of development effectiveness principles and commitments
• provided a learning space on development effectiveness, showcasing successful examples
• identified innovative approaches to sustainable development that can be scaled up
• positioned the Global Partnership to effectively contribute to implementation of the SDGs and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda.

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Paris, 25 November 2016 – Commenting on the public release of the OECD’s new Multilateral Convention (“the MLI”), Will Morris, BIAC Tax Committee Chair said “The OECD is to be congratulated on securing the commitment of over 100 OECD and non-OECD countries and jurisdictions in developing the MLI. This was a significant and complex undertaking requiring considerable work. We hope that widespread adoption of the MLI will result in a number of the key BEPS recommendations being implemented in a consistent and coordinated way across many countries, so that tax treaties can continue to perform their fundamental role of preventing double taxation and facilitating the cross-border trade and investment that creates inclusive growth, jobs and wealth for all.”

A signing ceremony for the MLI will be held in June 2017 in Paris.

BIAC will engage with the OECD going forward on issues related to the MLI as part of its continued focus on tax certainty and tax policy that fosters cross-border trade and investment.

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Paris, 27 June 2016 – In response to the skills shortages many economies face, BIAC released today a “Business Priorities for Education” paper that calls for stronger cooperation among employers, policymakers, and education institutions. 

“Our societies, and employers in particular, have a profound interest in ensuring that today’s and tomorrow’s jobseekers are versatile, skilled, and employable,” commented Charles Fadel, Chair of the BIAC Education Committee. “They must be prepared to learn throughout their professional lives,” 

Businesses therefore pay close attention to education policy. The competitiveness of companies, and the health of the societies in which they operate, hinge to a great extent on the talent and knowledge of employees.

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Cancún, 21 June 2016 – In the wake of the OECD Ministerial meeting on the Digital Economy on 22-23 June, 2016 in Cancún, BIAC, together with the Mexican business federation COPARMEX, hosted a Business Stakeholder day dedicated to Unleashing the Benefits of Innovation in the Global Information Society. Close to 30 speakers and 300 business and government delegates were in attendance.

 

In his opening remarks, BIAC Secretary General Bernhard Welschke called for comprehensive measures to foster the growth potential of the digital economy. “Innovation is the key driver of growth for our economies and societies,” Welschke said. Ambassador Pérez-Jácome, the Mexican Ambassador from the permanent delegation of Mexico to the OECD, emphasized that “creating the conditions to foster innovation, investment and labor mobility is crucial to grasp the benefits of the digital economy.” The Mexican Vice Chair of BIAC, José Ignacio Mariscal Torroella, also pointed to the importance of the digital economy for the growth potential and role of Mexico in the global economy.

 

Business participants from a variety of sectors and countries discussed the 6 framework conditions for success in the digital economy and information society: Infrastructure, Innovation, Information flows, Intellectual capital, Investment and Integration, also highlighting the importance of skills matching and skills availability for the digital economy.

 

In parallel to the stakeholder conference, together with the Mexican Ministry of Economy and with the support of the OECD, BIAC hosted a Hackathon featuring the theme “Connected Communities, Connected Lives.” Teams of up to 5 young developers competed to develop internet applications and digital solutions in the areas of Cultural Heritage, Smart City, Social Inclusion and Entrepreneurship. The event was made possible with the generous support of AT&T, Cisco, Disney, Google, Intel, Microsoft, Oracle, Verisign, and the Internet Technical Advisory Committee to the OECD (ITAC).

 

About BIAC:

BIAC speaks for business at the OECD. Established in 1962, we stand for policies that enable businesses of all sizes to contribute to growth, economic development, and prosperity. Through BIAC, national business and employers federations and their members provide expertise to the OECD and governments for competitive economies, better business, and better lives.

 

For more information, contact Ali Karami-Ruiz, BIAC Director, Policy and Communications.

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Paris, 1 June 2016 –Addressing the annual OECD Ministerial Council Meeting, BIAC Chairman Phil O’Reilly pointed to the pressing need to implement structural reforms for the competitiveness and productivity of our economies.

“Governments must recognize the fundamental role of entrepreneurship and open markets if we want to lift the growth potential of our economies, strengthen productivity, and as a consequence create more jobs,” said O’Reilly.

The “10 Business Recommendations for Productivity, Prosperity, and Inclusive Growth” BIAC submitted to the OECD Ministers are available online: https://t.co/Rjg9hxrrpq

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