AT a ceremony today
at the OECD, Gabon signed the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative
Assistance in Tax Matters. Gabon is the seventh African country to sign the
Convention since it was opened for signature to all countries in June 2011.
With 66 signatories, the Multilateral Convention is the most powerful international
instrument available to fight international tax avoidance and evasion. “Already
a member of the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for
Tax Purposes since October 2012, Gabon’s commitment today plays an important
role for regional co-operation in tax matters and demonstrates effective action
towards greater exchange of information”, said Pascal Saint-Amans. “We hope
it will act as an encouragement to other African and developing countries to
also join this important area of international co-operation in the fight for
a fairer and more transparent international tax system”.
The Convention provides for all forms of mutual assistance: exchange on request,
spontaneous exchange, tax examinations abroad, simultaneous tax examinations
and assistance in tax collection , while protecting taxpayers’ rights. It also
provides the option to undertake automatic exchange, requiring an agreement
between the Parties interested in adopting this form of assistance.
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