“We are delighted to welcome Burkina Faso and Cameroon as new Global Forum members,” said OECD secretary-general Angel Gurria.
The rise in prominence of taxation and transparency issues is being seen in many developing countries, and the addition of Burkina Faso and Cameroon to the Global Forum will ensure this continues. The fact that the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) has been an observer of the Global Forum has also helped to facilitate tax cooperation on the continent.
“They [Burkina Faso and Cameroon] are now among the jurisdictions directly involved in the international effort to make tax systems worldwide transparent and fair to all,” said Gurria. “Following their lead and that of other African countries, we look forward to continue strengthening international and regional cooperation in Africa. Domestic resource mobilisation through a transparent and effective tax system is a key element for successful development policies.”
The Global Forum is meeting in Cape Town over Friday 26 October and Saturday 27 October. The OECD said it is expecting representatives from more than 80 jurisdictions and seven international organisations. The meeting will build on the work of the forum’s phase two review process, which is examining the effectiveness of countries’ exchange of information practices.