Nick Clegg aims to stop 'gaming' of tax systems in developing world
Action is needed to stop the "gaming" of developing countries' tax systems undermining aid spending, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has said.
Ahead of a visit to sub-Saharan Africa, Mr Clegg said tax avoiders were making a "mockery of governments in the developing world".
He will meet political and business leaders in Ethiopia and Mozambique in his first official visit to the region.
The trip is a bid to boost ties with Africa during the UK's G8 presidency.
He plans to argue that the G8 - made up of countries which have, historically, been the richest in the world - can help African nations by focusing on tax, trade and transparency.
The deputy prime minister wants developing countries to be able to increase their tax revenues and build a stable business environment for trade.
"Many of the difficulties that governments face in the developing world are becoming increasingly common in the developed world," he said.
"For too long, the developed world ignored the way in which tax revenues, which rightfully belonged to developing countries, disappeared as people exploited different tax regimes, and made a mockery of governments in the developing world. We must work together to overcome it.
"To disrupt the vicious cycle of inequity in the systems of tax and trade, we must first create a level playing field whereby responsible and thriving companies are attracted to trade and do business in a fair and transparent way.
BBC News - Nick Clegg aims to stop 'gaming' of tax systems in developing world
Let's help them focus on feeding their starving millions and helping the poor by teaching them how to set up good taxation systems
Is it Aprils Fools day? Maybe it should be renamed to Nick Clegg Day.
Action is needed to stop the "gaming" of developing countries' tax systems undermining aid spending, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has said.
Ahead of a visit to sub-Saharan Africa, Mr Clegg said tax avoiders were making a "mockery of governments in the developing world".
He will meet political and business leaders in Ethiopia and Mozambique in his first official visit to the region.
The trip is a bid to boost ties with Africa during the UK's G8 presidency.
He plans to argue that the G8 - made up of countries which have, historically, been the richest in the world - can help African nations by focusing on tax, trade and transparency.
The deputy prime minister wants developing countries to be able to increase their tax revenues and build a stable business environment for trade.
"Many of the difficulties that governments face in the developing world are becoming increasingly common in the developed world," he said.
"For too long, the developed world ignored the way in which tax revenues, which rightfully belonged to developing countries, disappeared as people exploited different tax regimes, and made a mockery of governments in the developing world. We must work together to overcome it.
"To disrupt the vicious cycle of inequity in the systems of tax and trade, we must first create a level playing field whereby responsible and thriving companies are attracted to trade and do business in a fair and transparent way.
BBC News - Nick Clegg aims to stop 'gaming' of tax systems in developing world
Let's help them focus on feeding their starving millions and helping the poor by teaching them how to set up good taxation systems
Is it Aprils Fools day? Maybe it should be renamed to Nick Clegg Day.
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