IoM Chief Minister Welcomes Commonwealth Finance Meeting Opportunity

by Jason Gorringe, Tax-News.com, London

26 September 2002

Manx Chief Minister, Richard Corkhill announced prior to this week's meeting of Commonwealth Finance Ministers that he welcomed the chance to attend, to raise the Isle of Man's profile, and to gauge how other small jurisdictions are responding to recent international initiatives.

Speaking to the Isle of Man Online news service before his departure, Mr Corkhill explained that:

'This is an opportunity to meet in one venue. The agenda is far-reaching and the issues will include finance regulations and taxation. It will give us an idea of how other small jurisdictions are responding and it's an opportunity to exchange ideas.'

The Chief Minister expressed hopes that the meeting would also allow him to have some dialogue with Gordon Brown, and to stress to the UK Chancellor that despite the Island's zero tax plans, it is far from being a taxation blackspot.

'It will give me an opportunity to explain the situation in the Island and to show that although we are a low taxation jurisdiction, we do spend a lot on public services and have a balanced economy,' he told the IoM Online, adding that: 'The more times we can put this message across to people of influence the better.'

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