Introduction: In a significant development, the Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB) program, a collaborative initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), has been launched in Saint Lucia. India, represented by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), Ministry of Finance, has been chosen as the Partner Administration for this crucial program.
Detailed Analysis:
The program, initiated on December 14, 2023, is expected to span 12-18 months. India, in partnership with the TIWB Secretariat and with the support of the UNDP Country Office, Barbados, and the Eastern Caribbean, aims to enhance Saint Lucia’s tax administration. This will be achieved through the transfer of technical knowledge and skills, along with the sharing of best practices. The primary focus will be on optimizing the use of automatic exchange of information under the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) framework.
Smt. Pragya Sahay Saksena, Member (Legislation) of the CBDT, Ministry of Finance, attended the launch via video conferencing. The event also saw the participation of key figures such as Mr. Francis Fontenelle, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Saint Lucia; Mr. Ben Dickinson, Head of Global Relations and Development Division at the OECD; Ms. Rusudan Kemularia, Head of the TIWB Secretariat, and other senior officials from Saint Lucia, UNDP, OECD, TIWB Secretariat, and Foreign Tax & Tax Research Division of CBDT.
This program marks the seventh instance of India supporting TIWB initiatives by providing expert tax professionals. The collaborative efforts aim to strengthen Saint Lucia’s tax administration, fostering international cooperation and knowledge exchange.
Conclusion: The launch of the TIWB program in Saint Lucia, with India as the Partner Administration, is a testament to international cooperation in strengthening tax administration. Over the next 12-18 months, India, in collaboration with TIWB and the support of UNDP, will play a pivotal role in transferring essential knowledge and skills to enhance Saint Lucia’s tax practices. The emphasis on the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) framework underscores the commitment to effective information exchange. As India continues to support such initiatives globally, the collaboration signifies a step towards creating a more transparent and efficient global tax environment.
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Direct Taxes
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New Delhi, 15th December, 2023
Press Release
Saint Lucia’s Tax Inspectors without Borders (TIWB) programme launched
in partnership with India
Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB), a joint initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), launched a programme in Saint Lucia on 14th December, 2023. India has been chosen as the Partner Administration and will provide Tax Experts for this programme.
This programme is expected to be of 12-18 months duration in which India, in collaboration with the TIWB Secretariat and support of the UNDP Country Office, Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, aims to aid Saint Lucia in strengthening its tax administration by transferring technical knowledge and skills to its tax administration, and through sharing of best practices. The focus of the programme will be on effective use of automatic exchange of information under the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) framework.
Smt. Pragya Sahay Saksena, Member (Legislation) of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), Ministry of Finance, Government of India attended the launch through video conferencing along with Mr. Francis Fontenelle, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Saint Lucia; Mr. Ben Dickinson, Head of Global Relations and Development Division of the Centre for Tax Policy and Administration at the OECD; Ms. Rusudan Kemularia, Head of the TIWB Secretariat; and other senior officers of Saint Lucia, UNDP, OECD, TIWB Secretariat and Foreign Tax & Tax Research Division of CBDT.
This programme is the seventh TIWB programme which India has supported by providing Tax Experts.
(Surabhi Ahluwalia)
Pr. Commissioner of Income Tax
(Media & Technical Policy) &
Official Spokesperson, CBDT
