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Norwegian government to link tax havens and corruption

Minister of International Development Erik Solheim has launched the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ new anti-corruption project with Minister of Finance Kristin Halvorsen. This is the first time a western country calls for a war on tax havens. Attac Norway congratulates.

With Eva Joly working for the Norwegian government, tax justice is taken seriously in the fight against corruption. This became clear as the Ministry on International Development launched their anti-corruption project early in December.

“Corruption is theft. People in poor parts of the world are being robbed of millions every day. This has enormous consequences, not only for individuals, but also for the economic and social development opportunities of poor countries,” said Mr Solheim, as he presented the anti-corruption project.

The project is strengthened by the support from the Ministry of Finance which clearly links tax havens to corruption.

“We are fighting the use of so-called tax havens to evade tax through international cooperation on tax matters. Other forums and types of cooperation are needed in the fight against money laundering, corruption, embezzlement and fraud. These types of misuse of funds have clear common factors. They involve the hiding of money and ownership. With a common ‘enemy’ of this type, is important that we support each other’s efforts to combat the so-called tax havens,” said Minister of Finance Kristin Halvorsen.

Attac Norway who has campaigned for adopting tax justice to the development agenda and argued against tax havens and capital flight since March this year is happy for the initiative.

“If we are serious about fighting international corruption, this is the right place to start. Tax evasions through tax havens are one of our most serious problems of corruption. We welcome this initiative from the government.” says Marte Nilsen, President of Attac Norway.

More about the initiative at the Ministy’s web sight: http://odin.dep.no/ud/english/news/news/032171-070958/dok-bn.html

Mandate for the project: http://odin.dep.no/filarkiv/301178/Anti-korrupsjonmandat_eng.pdf