Department of Homeland Security – New Diretive on Search of Electronic Devices and Media

On August 27th, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano announced new directives to enhance and clarify oversight for searches of computers and other electronic media at U.S. ports of entry.  While this directive has general application,…

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India Turns Corner with 6.1% Quarterly Growth

The Indian economy is showing clear signs of pulling out of economic turmoil, and has recorded a gain in quarterly GDP (in the June Quarter), of 6.1%.  This compares with a Canadian GDP increase 0.1 per cent in…

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South Africa, Not Yet Participating in EU Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs)

South Africa is wary of the obligations that the EU is imposing on trading partners within its Economic Partnership Agreements.  The EPAs result, claims South African Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies, in inconsistent trade rules between the…

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India: Simplification of Mining Law

In the same vain as my post yesterday on the unveiling of the new Indian Tax Code, India is proposing a simplification of it’s mining laws, with the objective of doubling that sectors contribution to the Indian GDP. …

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Iraq: Tax Holiday for Foreign Companies

A new investment law offers corporate tax holidays of 10 years to foreign companies coming to Iraq.  By focusing on economic reform and an enhanced business environment,  Iraq’s chances of emerging from the devestation of the Saddam era,…

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Indian Finance Minister Unveiled Income Tax Code

Last fortnight, the Indian finance minister unveiled the much talked about new Income Tax code, which aims to enhance and modernize the Indian tax system, and which appears to envisage general anti-avoidance rules (otherwise known as GAAR), similar…

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Taxation Follows Recession and Fiscal Stimulus

This article from BusinessDay (South Africa) demonstrates that, like night follows day, taxation follows fiscal stimulus! Recession is taxing the mind of governments

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Canada’s Current Fiscal Imbalance

Personal and corporate income taxes, and excise tax revenue are down, with corresponding increases in program expenses.  Program expenses in June 2009 were $20.7 billion, up $4.2 billion, or 25.2 per cent, from June 2008. This increase is…

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South African Corporate Governance Report: enhance the legal and fiduciary duties of care and skill.

SOUTH African directors should get further guidance to bring a higher level of transparency and corporate governance best practice to their companies, in light of the recommendations in the third government sponsored report on enhancing domestic corporate governance.…

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Putin’s Junior Partner Speaks Out on Russian Business

President Dmitry Medvedev ordered prosecutors to investigate Russia’s state corporations on Friday, questioning the need for the powerful institutions championed by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.  The way forward for these state enterprises, is to remove the super-protection and…

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