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Ireland risks the animosity of its EU partners by adopting a policy of low tax rates for trading companies. But does this make it a tax haven or just a fair competitor for international business? Rosie Murray-West talks to both sides in what promises to be a heated debate

A recently reported advance ruling has clarified the scope of the term 'technician', as contemplated by section 10(5B) of the Indian Income-tax Act, 1961. Section 10(5B) grants tax exemption to a foreign technician, in as much as the tax paid on his remuneration by his employer for a period not exceeding four years, (commencing from the date of his arrival in India) is exempt, subject to certain conditions. Technician has been defined to mean a person having specialized knowledge or experience in construction, manufacturing or mining operations or generation of electricity or any other form of power or agriculture and allied activities or such other fields as are notified by the central government. To quote few instances - in Monte Harris, a person with experience in software development was accepted as a technician; in Arthur E. Newell, the act of perforation of films according to international standards was held to involve expertise, which would qualify the employee to be characterized as a technician; in David Kenneth White, a specialist who had expertise in telecommunication networks was accepted as a specialist on information technology.

At the time of introduction of the recent tax reform legislation (see International Tax Review April 1999), the German government also announced its intention to reduce the cumulative trade tax and income/corporation tax burden to approximately 35% for all businesses, whether operated as corporations, partnerships, or sole proprietorships, beginning in the year 2000.

Cyprus’ treaty network with eastern European jurisdictions has provided new opportunities for offshore tax planning. Constantinos Adamides of Adamos K. Adamides & Co examines the provisions and possibilities offered by the Cyprus-Russia treaty

Over the next two months, International Tax Review will publish a series of features examining CFC regimes around the world. Recent years have seen a rapid expansion of the scope of such regimes. Oliver Ralph reports on how multinationals are beginning to fight back

Carter Ledyard & Milburn are advising UK group United News & Media on their acquisition of CMP Media, the US media group. United will add the Internet and print publishing businesses of CMP to its interests in PR Newswire and the UK's Channel 5 and other TV companies. The deal is worth $920 million. United News will pay $39 for each CMP share.

Ernst & Young acquires compliance firm, Tax probe reveals JAL discrepancies, Colombia extends banking tax, Brazil offers concessions to states, Venezuela offers tax breaks to oil investors, Japan reforms stock and bond tax, Mexico's maquilas fear tax change

Baker & McKenzie in New York and Stockholm advised Ford on its acquisition of Volvo's car division. The deal is valued at $6.45 billion.

Skadden Arps Slate Meagher and Flom is advising US chemical maker Huntsman on its acquisition of four businesses from its UK rival ICI. The transaction is worth over $2.7 billion. The acquisition will be made through a newly formed company, Huntsman ICI Holdings. ICI will hold a 30% stake in the company, and Huntsman a 70% stake.

UK companies may be forced to disclose their correspondence with their legal advisers, according to a ruling by an independent adjudicator of tax disputes.