Ministers have taken the important step to reaffirm the principles from the 1998 OECD Ottawa Ministerial that allowed a platform for electronic commerce to evolve into a platform for all aspects of life over the last 10 years,” declared Mr. Peter Robinson, President and CEO of the United States Council for International Business.

Business stresses the needed policy framework conditions and stakeholder consultation that are required to foster greater economic growth, communication, and understanding across all societies.

U.S. President George W. Bush praised a new era in US-European ties in a speech delivered at the headquarters of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

“Governments must avoid hastily conceived new regulations on sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) in their efforts to diminish recent rising public criticism against these investment vehicles,” said Mr. Tadahiro Asami, Secretary General of the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD (BIAC). “Increased international co-operation, transparency and governance are the keys to successfully alleviating fears and building the trust necessary to permit the positive contributions that SWFs can provide to our economies.”

The Forum on Tax Administration (FTA) today released its Study into the Role of Tax Intermediaries. This important Study underscores the complexities and criticality in the globalised economy of good working relationships among all tax administration participants and aims to develop a principled approach to improving these relationships towards more effective tax administration and compliance.

BIAC said today that it welcomed the respected international organisations just released Summary of an 18 month study as a milestone in illuminating the scope and scale of product counterfeiting and piracy globally.

The OECD business community welcomes today the announcement of the OECDs invitation to Chile, Estonia, Israel, Russia and Slovenia to open discussions for membership to the Organisation.

Business welcomes the OECD report released today on Improving the Resolution of Tax Treaty Disputes. Efficient resolution of cross border tax disputes providing relief for double taxation is a critical concern for corporations operating in global markets. And efforts to resolve double tax burdens between countries are both time-consuming and costly and in some cases go unresolved.

Although the world economy has been expanding with robust pace through much of 2006, business economists expect a slow down in almost all OECD regions, reducing OECD-wide real GDP growth from 3.1% in this year to 2.6% in 2007.

Mr. Tadahiro Asami, Advisor to the President of the Institute for International Monetary Affairs (IIMA), will become Secretary General of BIAC at the end of the year, the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD (BIAC) announced today.

Suspension of WTO Trade Talks Is A Harsh Set Back For The Global Trading System

The OECD business community is profoundly disappointed by the suspension of the Doha Development Round negotiations, which WTO Director General Lamy announced on July 24.

OECD business tells G8 heads of state that business - government dialogue is key to energy security

If G8 governments hope to attract the necessary investment to stabilise energy supply, they must make deep reforms in governance and bring companies into the dialogue. Energy products and services are in many cases delivered by industry, says BIAC Secretary General Thomas Vant.

In todays knowledge-based economy, cooperation between higher education institutions and business is fundamental to spurring innovation and training the qualified workforce that is the motor for countries future economic growth.

Although the year 2006 should finish on a high with a final growth figure of 3.1% for the OECD region, business economists warn that this upswing is not likely carry over into 2007.

The OECD business community welcomes today the arrival of Mr. ngel Gurra as the Organisations new Secretary-General, applauding him as a leader who has demonstrated his keen appreciation for business role as a force for economic and social change.

At its General Assembly, the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD (BIAC) voted unanimously to appoint Mr. Charles Heeter, Principal in Deloitte & Touche USA LLP, as its new Chair commencing today May 22 2006.

"Doha: let us get away from realm of one-upmanship"
 BIAC Secretary General's letter to the Financial Times

Reacting to the WTO's failure to agree by the end of April on a deal for liberalizing trade in agricultural and industrial goods, BIAC Secretary General says in a letter to the Financial Times that the 8 million companies that BIAC members represent urgently need meaningful results from the DDA, and requests that "policy leaders now take the process out of the realm of one-upmanship and give negotiators the green light they need to make a real difference. "

OECD business community develops best practices to combat spam

Business has joined forces with the OECD to produce a list of best practices to more effectively fight spam, a growing threat to the security of todays digitalised world.

Business calls for OECD action against protectionism

Today, the international business community called on OECD countries to stop protecting individual companies or industries from cross-border takeovers, arguing that such moves only succeed in deteriorating the international investment climate and braking economic growth and job creation.

In a survey of its membership, the OECD business organisation BIAC reports that the current economic upswing in the OECD countries will continue in 2006, but without significant additional momentum. The major OECD business associations predict a 2.7% real GDP growth for 2006, following a 2.5% rate for 2005, with the major impulses for growth next year coming from the North American economies.

OECD business applauded today the appointment of ngel Gurra as the new Secretary General of the OECD beginning June 1, 2006. Mr. Gurra has a solid track record as a former Foreign Affairs and Finance Minister of Mexico, said Thomas R. Vant, Secretary General of the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD. He is a respected leader who will be listened to in OECD member country capitals.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) is expecting world energy demand to be 50 % higher in 2030 than it is today, said IEA Executive Director Mr. Claude Mandil at a BDI/BIAC energy conference held in Berlin today, with more than two thirds of this increase coming from developing countries.

OECD business letter to Trade Ministers in the 30 OECD countries tells them that now is the time to renew governments commitment to making Hong Kong a success.

OECD Business Calls on New WTO Leader to Breathe Life into Stalled World Trade Talks

The OECD business community welcomes the arrival of the new Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), but warns that it has high expectations for former EU trade negotiator Pascal Lamy. We hope that he can breathe life into the stalled Doha trade negotiations. Given the reluctance of most governments to compromise on the key issues at hand, Mr. Lamy has a Herculean task before him, said BIAC Secretary General, Thomas R. Vant, on the eve of Mr. Lamys first day in office at the WTO.

G8 Should Support Companies' Efforts to Help Fight Poverty: Fostering Public-Private Partnerships is Key

If the G8 countries hope to meet their commitment to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals and reduce poverty by 2015 they must harness the potential of the private sector to create the needed economic growth and help contribute to environmental, technological, energy and social progress that will improve living standards and address global challenges.

OECD Releases Report on Digital Music

The OECD released a report June 13 on Digital Broadband Content, focusing specifically on the on-line music industry. As noted by the report, 2004 was a critical turning point for the digital music market marking a rapid take up of on-line music services. According to the OECD business group, BIAC, the challenge at hand is to expand this tremendous growth opportunity through the development of innovative business models that provide for the legitimate on-line distribution of music.

"Why Business Values OECD Guidelines"
BIAC Secretary General's letter to the Financial Times

Responding strongly to an article published in the Financial Times entitled  "OECD plea to raise corporate standards", Mr. Thomas Vant says that "the purpose of the OECD Guidelines is not, as the article suggests, to provide a procedure for more non-governmental organisation and labour union allegations against companies."

Business Addresses Consumption Tax Obstacles to Cross Border Trade in Services and Intangibles at Consultation with OECD in Rome

Consumption Taxes were the focus of a high-level joint BIAC/ICC consultation with OECD that took place in Rome on March 17, organized in conjunction with the first meeting of the International Tax Dialogue (ITD), involving the OECD, IMF and World Bank.

Business Addresses Challenges of Demographic Change with G8 Labour Ministers

In seeking solutions to the pressures on our economies and social systems brought about by aging populations and youth unemployment, business continues to stress that economic growth and job creation starts with investment, says Thomas R. Vant, Secretary General of the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD (BIAC).

OECD Anti-Bribery Convention: In Its Fight Against Corruption Business Calls On Governments To Tackle Bribe Solicitation

Five years after the OECD inaugurated its Convention against Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, which criminalises bribe payments to foreign government officials, business assesses the Conventions achievements so far as positive, but only the first step.

U.S. Business Engages OECD on International Tax Issues

The OECD, its Business and Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC) and the United States Council for International Business (USCIB), in association with a range of other groups, organized the meeting here, under the title: Recent OECD Initiatives in International Taxation Permanent Establishment and Dispute Settlement Procedures. 

OECD Business Community Welcomes OECD Report on Mexicos Transfer Pricing Practices

The international business community welcomed today the release by the OECD of its Report on Mexicos Transfer Pricing Frameworks. The OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines are one of the most important and valuable OECD instruments for business, said Mr. Thomas R. Vant, Secretary General of the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD (BIAC), and we commend the Mexican Government for its commitment to being reviewed.

OECD Business Optimistic for Growth in 2004-2005

In a survey of its membership, the OECD business organisation BIAC reports that businesses remain optimistic for growth in end 2004 and 2005.

BIAC Creates Group to give Business from Medium and Small OECD Economies Stronger Voice

Today will mark the inaugural meeting of the newly-created BIAC Ad hoc Group for Medium and Small OECD Economies, founded to strengthen the presence of a group of countries within the OECD membership which normally receives less attention.

Stabilising Energy Policy: OECD Business says GOOD Governance IS THE Key

"Business is very concerned about how fluctuations in the energy market will affect its bottom line," says BIAC Chairman Mr. Roy Ryu, who is also Chairman & CEO of the Poongsan Corporation in Korea. "This directly impacts companies thinking about how to position themselves in the global context."

BIAC Pushes For Strong Business Involvement in G8/OECD Middle East Investment Initiatives

Creating favorable conditions for foreign and domestic private investment in the MENA region is essential to provide new engines of growth and employment, says Tom Vant, Secretary General of the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD (BIAC).

OECD's Business Organisation (BIAC) says: "Business united in urging governments to reach agreement on Draft WTO Framework Text by end of this week

The OECD Business Community calls on WTO members to agree on a draft framework document meant to re-invigorate the Doha negotiations by the end of the WTO General Council meeting on July 30. This new impetus is urgently needed in order to stimulate the negotiations and to produce worldwide growth, jobs and prosperity in the near future, says Roy Ryu, Chairman of BIAC (Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD) and Chairman and CEO of Poongsan Corporation, Korea.

Doubling Russias GDP in 8 Years Requires Improved Conditions for Foreign Investors

Addressing senior executives from the OECD business community following the OECD investment review of Russia, the Russian Deputy Minister or Economic Development and Trade, Mr. Vitaly Saveliev, discussed the goal to further improve the investment conditions in Russia.

OECD Business Community Urges G8 Leaders to Support OECD Work on Investment in Non-OECD Countries 

Today the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD (BIAC), which represents the business community of the 30 OECD member states, called upon leaders gathered at the G8 summit in Sea Island, Georgia, to put more resources into fostering entrepreneurship in non-OECD countries.

OECD Business Organisation Says: Promoting Entrepreneurship Enhancing Policies Vital for Successful SME Development 

Speaking to the Business Symposium of the 2nd OECD Ministerial Conference on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the Secretary General of the OECD business organisation BIAC, Thomas R. Vant, called on Ministers to enhance the favourable framework conditions for more dynamic entrepreneurship supporting SME development.

OECD Business Call to Trade Micro-Ministerial in Paris: Revitalising the WTO Doha Round Urgent

Today leaders of the OECD Business Community from more than thirty countries called on Trade Ministers to revitalise the WTO Doha Round.  A Statement signed by the Presidents of the major OECD business organisations reiterated the strong OECD business commitment to the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its centre.

Business Organisation Addresses OECD 2004 Ministerial: Global Outsourcing no Justification for Protectionism and Government Intervention

Commenting on a major project undertaken by the OECD on Trade and Structural Adjustment, business from OECD member countries, represented by the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD (BIAC), today warned OECD Ministers against using the ongoing global outsourcing debate in OECD member countries as a justification for protectionism and government interference into the economy.

OECD Principles on Corporate Governance Strike the Right Balance: Business Calls for Effective Implementation

Ministers from the 30 OECD member countries endorsed today the newly revised OECD Principles on Corporate Governance. Commenting on the result of two years of arduous negotiations, business from OECD member countries, welcomed the new Principles as striking the right balance between different national corporate governance systems and rejecting any notion of one size fits all.

OECD Business Organisation Names Korean CEO As New Chairman

At its General Assembly, the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD (BIAC) moved unanimously to name Mr. Jin Roy Ryu, Chairman & CEO of Poongsan Corporation in Korea, a nonferrous metals conglomerate with annual sales of US $1.2billion, as its new Chairman.

Business Advises OECD Environment Ministers to Focus on Innovation, Cost-Effectiveness and Getting Policy Frameworks Right

Forging an active partnership with the private sector is essential to achieving sustainable development, as an engaged business community is key to making real progress, said Mr. Thierry Chambolle, Chair of the Environment Committee of the BIAC, the organisation representing business views at the OECD.

OECD Business Welcomes Opportunities Generated by EU Enlargement

The enlargement of the European Union will provide new market opportunities and stimuli for a fresh wave of innovation and entrepreneurship, said today Dr. Bruno Lamborghini, Chairman of the OECD business organisation BIAC, at the closing of a conference in Warsaw, Poland.

Revision of the OECD Principles on Corporate Governance: Business asks for a Realistic Approach

During this weeks meeting of the OECD Steering Group on Corporate Governance, negotiations on the newly revised OECD Principles on Corporate Governance are reaching a crucial stage, as they are to be finalised for the May 2004 Ministerial Council Meeting.

International Business Community comes together to tackle SPAM

Spam is a serious, international, cross-sectoral problem that affects businesses as seriously as it does consumers, says business at the February 2-3 OECD Workshop on SPAM in Brussels. It must be tackled by the coordinated efforts of all information society stakeholders.

Major OECD Business Organisation Presidents Send Urgent Statement to WTO Ministers: "The Setback in Cancn Must be Overcome"

The Presidents of thirty-two business organisations from major OECD countries - including Japan, the US and EU states -- published today a common statement on the pressing need to overcome the setback of the September Cancun summit and revitalise the Doha Development Round.

OECD Business Organisation (BIAC) Releases "Broadband Manifesto": Industry Stakeholders Come Together on Need for Broadband Development

Despite their differences, competing stakeholders have come together today to bring their message home to OECD governments: Broadband development is a cornerstone of the digital revolution and without government action to provide a competitive playing field, this revolution will be curtailed. This was a key message of the BIAC Broadband Manifesto, a policy statement released today at the OECD by the Organisation's business advisory body, BIAC.

OECD Business Organisation (BIAC) Says: "Cancun Success Vital for Business Support of Multilateral Trade Negotiations"

"In Cancun, negotiators must show the world that the World Trade Organisation (WTO) can still deliver on trade liberalisation. Without clear commitment to significant results and the January 2005 deadline, the business community will lose interest, says Tom Vant, Secretary General of the OECD business organisation (BIAC), commenting on the opening of the 5th WTO Ministerial today in Mexico.

Business Tells Trade Negotiators to Make Reducing Tariffs on Industrial Goods N 1 Priority

Poorer Countries Will Benefit Most from Improved Market Access for Manufactured Goods, Says OECD Business Organisation To Global Forum on Trade.

OECD Business Community Urges G8 Leaders to Restart World Growth Engine

Heightened Risk Environment No Excuse for Avoiding Necessary Structural Reforms, Says BIAC
"Today’s heightened risk environment should not serve as an excuse for G8 governments to avoid long overdue structural reforms," said today Dr. Bruno Lamborghini, President of the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD (BIAC), which represents the business community of the 30 OECD member states. He cited labour and financial market reform as key starting points.

Business Urges OECD Ministers to Redouble Efforts in Favour of Multilateral Co-operation

Commitment to Doha Round, pro-innovation policies at national level and corporate transparency seen as key ingredients for rebooting growth
There is a pressing need to rebuild and strengthen multilateral co-operation if we hope to bring growth back to OECD countries", said Dr. Bruno Lamborghini, President of the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD (BIAC) during BIAC’s annual Consultation with OECD Ministers.

Canadian Energy Industry Executive to Lead OECD Business Organisation

Mr. Tom Vant, former Chairman of the Board of Syncrude Canada, Ltd, will become Secretary General of BIAC in June 2003, the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD (BIAC).