Tremonti Talks Of EU VAT Reform

While discussing the scope of Italy’s proposed tax reforms, the Minister of the Economy, Giulio Tremonti, has floated the hypothesis of changing the rates of value-added tax (VAT) on imports of goods from countries outside of the European Union (EU). MORE>

Panama Granted Coveted Rating Hike

Panama has received an upgrade to the credit rating on its debt to investment-grade after ‘sustained improvements in public finances, underpinned by recent tax reforms’.MORE>

Greece raises 5bn euros from bond issue

Greece has raised 5bn euros ($6.7bn; £4.5bn) by a sale of government bonds, to secure more funds to help pull the country out of its debt crisis.MORE>

Ireland Tackles Corporate Governance

A new Code of Practice was launched on March 25, by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) and the Institute of Directors in Ireland (IoD), to tackle corporate governance challenges facing Irish public and private organizations. The new guidelines, on assessing corporate governance, will provide companies meeting best standards, as defined by the Code, with a reputational boost via new corporate governance certification.MORE>

Energy giants pinpoint location of new British nuclear power plant

Britain’s next nuclear power station will be built on Anglesey, North Wales, under a £7.5 billion plan being drawn up by two of biggest energy providers in the UK, The Times has learnt.MORE>

Rio Tinto distances itself from China four jailed for bribery

Mining giant Rio Tinto sacked four employees after they were convicted in a Chinese court of accepting bribes and stealing commercial secrets.MORE>

Belize signs tax deal with UK

Britons in Belize will find it harder to avoid UK taxes after an agreement signed yesterday by the UK and Belize governments. It was welcomed by Labour MPs, because of the link between Belize and Lord Ashcroft, the deputy chairman of the Tory party.MORE>

RBS fined £28.6m for breaking competition rules

Royal Bank of Scotland has been fined £28.6m by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) after breaking competition rules.MORE>

Falkland Islands oil disappoints for Desire Petroleum

Shares in Desire Petroleum have almost halved after the oil explorer said a well being drilled off the Falkland Islands may not be economically viable.MORE>