This feed is published daily with selected new or updated
content from across our network. For a list of network sites, many of
which feature daily news, see below.
Providing essential tax news and information for globally
mobile artists, contractors, entrepreneurs, professionals, small businesses,
sportspersons and entertainers.
Lowtax Network Sites
Lowtax Network Portal:
'Low-tax' business and investment in the top 50 jurisdictions covered in
exceptional detail.
Tax News: Global
tax news, continuously updated through the day.
Law & Tax
News: Daily news and background data on tax and legal developments
for international business.
Offshore-e-com:
A topical guide to offshore e-commerce focused on tax and regulation.
Lowtax Library:
One of the web's largest and most authoritative business and investment
information sources.
US Tax Network:
The resource for free online US taxation information, covering: corporate
tax, individual tax, international tax, expatriates, sales and e-commerce
tax, investment tax.
NEW! Personal
Business Tax Guide: Providing essential tax news and information
on business for contractors, entrepreneurs, professionals, small businesses,
artists, sportspersons and entertainers.
Switzerland Ousts US As World's Most Competitive Economy,
by Ulrika Lomas, Tax-News.com, Brussels
28 September 2006
Switzerland, Finland and Sweden are currently the world's most competitive
economies, according to a survey of 125 countries by the Geneva-based World
Economic Forum (WEF).
The Global Competitiveness Report 2006-2007, released Tuesday, said that Switzerland
and the Nordic countries topped this year's global ranking due to their sound
institutions, competent macroeconomic management, world-class education systems,
and focus on technology and innovation.
These factors, according to Augusto Lopez-Claros, Chief Economist and Director
of the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Network, combine
to form a "successful strategy for boosting competitiveness in an increasingly
complex global economy".
"Business activity in these countries benefits from a well-developed institutional
framework, characterized by the rule of law, an efficient judicial system and
high levels of transparency and accountability within public institutions. Excellent
infrastructure is an additional positive feature of the business environment,"
Lopez-Claros said.
This year's index however, points to the "rapidly growing importance of
higher education and training as engines of productivity growth," he noted.
"Countries that, like the Nordics, are investing heavily in education
are likely to see rising levels of income per capita, growing success in reducing
poverty and an increasing ability to establish a presence in the global economy,"
observed Lopez-Claros.
Of all the countries in the index this year, the US showed perhaps the most
alarming dip in competitiveness, falling as it did from first place last year
to sixth this year. According to the WEF, while the US continues to enjoy an
excellent business environment and efficient markets, and is a global centre for
technology development, its overall competitiveness is threatened by large macroeconomic
imbalances, particularly rising levels of public indebtedness, associated with
repeated fiscal deficits. The report also warned that its relative ranking remains
vulnerable to a possible disorderly adjustment of such imbalances, including
historically high trade deficits.
Meanwhile, Germany (8th) and the UK (10th) continued to shine among the most
competitive economies. The report found that in the areas of the safety of property
rights and the quality of the judicial system, Germany is second to none, while
the United Kingdom excels in market efficiency, enjoying the most sophisticated
financial markets in the world. The UK's flexible labour market and low levels
of unemployment also stand in sharp contrast to Germany, although Germany does
somewhat better than the United Kingdom in innovation indicators and the sophistication
of its business community.
Leading within Asia are Singapore and Japan, ranked 5th and 7th respectively,
closely followed by Hong Kong (11) and Taiwan (13). These economies are characterized
by high-quality infrastructure, flexible and efficient markets, healthy and
well-educated workforces and high levels of technological readiness and innovative
capacity, the report said.
One of the web's largest and
most authoritative business and investment information sources. Alongside
topical, daily news on worldwide
tax developments, you can receive weekly newswires or
access up-to-date intelligence
reports on a range of legal, tax and investment subjects.
Our 16 constantly updated
intelligence reports cover every important aspect of 'offshore' and international
tax-planning in depth, including banking secrecy, the EU's savings tax
directive, offshore funds, e-commerce, offshore gaming and transfer pricing.
Reports are available for immediate downloading or as subscription
services with news pages.
Advertising & Marketing
With over 50,000 qualified readers every month our web-sites
offer a number of cost effective, targeted advertising,
sponsorship and marketing opportunities:
Display advertising - from 'skyscrapers' to 'buttons'
Content/article submission and sponsorship
Opt-in email marketing
On-line Services Directory listings
Could your corporate web-site or newsletter benefit
from incorporating regularly updated news and content
tailored to serve your clients' interests? We can provide
a variety of maintenance-free news and content solutions
that can be seamlessly integrated and dynamically delivered:
IMPORTANT NOTICE: THE LOWTAX NETWORK
has taken reasonable care in sourcing and presenting the information contained
on this site, but accepts no responsibility for any financial or other loss
or damage that may result from its use. In particular, users of the site are
advised to take appropriate professional advice before committing themselves
to involvement in offshore jurisdictions, offshore trusts or offshore investments.
All materials on this site copyright THE LOWTAX NETWORK 1999 to 2010.
All content on this site
has been provided by BSIRN.
TAX-NEWS.COM
13/07 
