The 7th OECD-ASEAN Tax Seminar on "Tax Incentives"

(2011. 2.13 ~ 18, Noblesse A Hall, Prima Hotel)

□ The Tax Programme, OECD Korea Policy Centre hosted the 7th OECD- ASEAN 

   International Tax Seminar on "Tax Incentives" for six days from February 13 (Monday)

   to February 18 (Saturday) in Prima Hotel, Seoul.

□ The objective of this seminar is to provide tax policy makers and tax administrators

   with information on and experience with the strengths and weaknesses of offering tax

   incentives to attract investment and promote economic activity. Experts from the

   OECD HQ, and OECD member countries (Ministry of Finance of Italy and Belgium)

   participated as a lecturer and 25 tax officials from 11 non-OECD economies in the

   Asia-Pacific region including three Korean officials from the NTS participated in the

   seminar.

□ Each country was asked to prepare a short (15 min.) presentation on tax incentives

   offered in their country and all participants had an opportunity to discuss the relevant

   issues.

Main Contents

□ The main topics which were discussed during the seminar are as follows:

   ㅇ Tax incentives and changes after the financial crisis in 2008

   ㅇ Conflicting tax policy goals and solutions to the problems

   ㅇ Country presentations on tax incentives

   ㅇ Tax expenditure budgeting in Italy (case presentation)

   ㅇ Tax base broadening and tax incentives in Asian countries

       (Group case studies and discussion)

   ㅇ Tax Incentives to Lower Tax Wedge on Labour, Tax Incentives and R&D

Ms. Maria T. Monteduro

Ministry of Finance, Italy

"I am very pleased to take part in the 7th OECD-ASEAN seminar as an expert. The seminar was very success because participants were very carefully and passionately followed all the lectures and they all involved in the case studies actively. The seminar was a good opportunity to share views and perspectives on how to design tax incentives all around the world so I expect that they will play an important role in designing and developing their own tax incentives in their countries in the future."

Opportunity to Experience Korean History and Culture

□ Despite the cold weather in February, all participants had an opportunity to visit main

   tourist attractions including Changdeokgung and Gwanghawmun Square and 

   experienced Korean culture and aspects of economic development.