23/08/2001 - The OECD is pleased to announce that Tonga no longer meets the tax haven criteria set out in its 1998 report, "Harmful Tax Competition: An Emerging Global Issue" and will not be considered for inclusion in any list of uncooperative jurisdictions.

Tonga has recently made legislative changes and taken administrative actions to address those areas that led to its identification by the OECD in June 2000 as a tax haven.

The decision regarding Tonga's status was made following a bilateral meeting between the OECD and Tonga held in Auckland, New Zealand. Tonga has also informed the OECD that it is making legislative changes to remove the potential for harmful tax practices.

For more information, journalists are invited to contact Meggan Dissly (tel 33 1 45 24 80 94).