OECD: Tunisia signs multilateral agreement on fiscal co-operation and strengthens its links with the OECD
July 23rd, 2012
During his visit to Tunisia, the Secretary-General of the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Angel Gurria, met with the Tunisian Prime Minister, as well as government ministers and the President of the National Constituent Assembly, in order to discuss the co-operation between Tunisia and the OECD.
The Organisation has a long-standing relationship with Tunisia, particularly within the framework of the OECD-MENA Initiative on Governance and Investment for Development. Mr. Gurria also took part in the opening ceremony of a high level conference organised by the OECD Development Centre and the African Development Bank on the subject of ‘youth employment in North Africa’.
The Secretary-General presided over the signing ceremony with Tunisia of the Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters. This Convention, a multilateral agreement developed jointly by the Council of Europe and the OECD, is the most comprehensive multilateral instrument available for tax co-operation and exchange of information. It helps counter cross-border tax evasion and ensures compliance with national tax laws, while respecting the rights of taxpayers.
G20 Leaders, at their Los Cabos Summit, “strongly encouraged all jurisdictions to sign the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance”.
Tunisia is the third African country, after Ghana and South Africa, to sign the Convention since it was opened for signature to all countries in June 2011.
Angel Gurria, OECD Secretary-General, at the signing ceremony said: “By signing the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters, Tunisia sends a strong message to the international community. Already a Member of the Global Forum, you wish to go further than the international standard on transparency and effective exchange of information”.
The Secretary -General and the Tunisian Prime Minister also signed a Memorandum of Understanding which will allow Tunisia to share its expertise with the 34 member countries of the OECD, in order to boost efforts to find a driving force for economic and social change, as well as environmental development.
Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali said: “Signing the Convention and Memorandum of Understanding with the OECD represents an important step for the new Tunisia in meeting international standards and highlights our commitment to adhering to the different mechanisms and tools of the OECD in order to generate stronger and more inclusive growth, as well as creating jobs with integrity and transparency.”
In May 2012, Tunisia adhered to the OECD Declarations on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises; on Propriety, Integrity and Transparency in International Business and Finance; and on Green Growth
For more information, journalists are invited to contact Pascal Saint-Amans, Director of the OECD Centre for Tax Policy and Administration (e-mail:pascal.saint-amans@oecd.org ; tel: +33 6 26 30 49 23) or the OECD Media Division (e-mail : news.contact@oecd.org; tel. : +33 1 45 24 97 00).