OECD countries’ tax burdens back up to 2000 historic highs

17-Oct-2007

The average tax burden in OECD countries, measured as the ratio of tax to gross domestic product (GDP), is back up to the same levels as in 2000 after a brief reduction between 2001 and 2004, according to figures in the latest edition of the OECD’s annual Revenue Statistics publication.

OECD Secretary-General congratulates Jean-Philippe Cotis on appointment to head French statistics institute

17-Oct-2007

Hailing the appointment of Jean-Philippe Cotis, OECD’s Chief Economist since August 2002, as director general of the French national statistics institute INSEE, OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría said this is an acknowledgement of the prominent part he has played in strengthening OECD’s role in the field of economic policy.

"On behalf of the OECD, I wish to express my most sincere appreciation and satisfaction at the appointment of Jean Philippe Cotis, until now Chief Economist of the OECD, to the prestigious post of the head of INSEE,” Mr. Gurría said in a statement.

OECD reports progress in fighting offshore tax evasion, but says more efforts are needed

12-Oct-2007

Many financial centres, both onshore and offshore, are making progress in improving transparency and international co-operation to counter offshore tax evasion, but some still fall short of international standards that have been developed over the last seven years, according to OECD assessments.

OECD urges former Soviet States to accelerate environmental reforms

10-Oct-2007

In Russia 47 million people are exposed to high concentrations of nitrous dioxide. Half the population in rural Tajikistan, and one-third in Moldova, lack access to clean water. Leaded petrol is sold legally in Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

India needs more economic reforms to widen benefits from growth, says OECD report

09-Oct-2007

India’s annual economic growth could reach a sustainable 10 percent and be spread more evenly across the country if it pursues ambitious and wide-ranging reforms, says a new OECD report.

Economic survey of Mexico

04-Oct-2007

Past reforms have paid off and macroeconomic performance has improved notably. The main challenge for Mexico is to move the economy on a higher growth path to bridge the wide gap in living standards with wealthier OECD countries. This will require meeting a broad range of challenges including strengthening public finances, further lifting the gains from trade and FDI, improving infrastructure and labour market outcomes and reducing poverty.

Economic Survey of the United Kingdom

27-Sep-2007

Recent macroeconomic performance has been strong but economic challenges remain including improving education and skills levels, increasing labour force participation and progression, enhancing productivity growth and maintaining tax competitiveness.

Faster economic integration key to stronger European growth, says OECD report

20-Sep-2007

Europe needs to make faster progress towards a single market, says a new OECD report. Launching the OECD’s first Economic Survey of the European Union, the OECD’s Secretary-General, Angel Gurría, said: “A vibrant single market is central to Europe’s long-term prosperity.”

Universities could play a greater role in regional development, says OECD

19-Sep-2007

Universities could play a stronger role in the economic, cultural and social development of their regions,  according to a new OECD report. Higher Education and Regions: Globally Competitive, Locally Engaged argues that regional engagement by universities is beneficial both to local development and the institutions themselves.

Poland must accelerate reform of tertiary education, OECD says

19-Sep-2007

In some respects, Poland has joined the ranks of countries with a modern, responsive and creative system of tertiary education. But the process of modernisation is incomplete and the tertiary system must accelerate further reforms to respond to the social and economic pressures facing Poland.