G20 to Address Economic Pitfalls of ‘Taxation,’ ‘Digitalization’

G20 countries tackle the digitalization of the global economy and taxation | Asharq Al-Awsat
G20 countries tackle the digitalization of the global economy and taxation | Asharq Al-Awsat
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G20 to Address Economic Pitfalls of ‘Taxation,’ ‘Digitalization’

G20 countries tackle the digitalization of the global economy and taxation | Asharq Al-Awsat
G20 countries tackle the digitalization of the global economy and taxation | Asharq Al-Awsat

The 2020 G20 Riyadh summit is actively seeking solutions to challenges facing the global economy and alternatives that facilitate business and protect supply chains in the age of digitalization.

G20 countries are supporting the digitalization of the global economy as a means to avert future crises and to ensure the rights of countries challenged by the rapid developments in mechanisms of modern digital technologies.

The summit is also expected to finalize an international tax policy agreement.

The Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan had said that G20 leaders in 2018 committed to tackling the tax challenges arising from the digitization of the economy.

Jadaan also had said that 2020 would represent a key test for tax transparency worldwide.

“It gives us the opportunity to assess what we have achieved collectively in the area of tax transparency and discuss possible ways to encourage further progress, and provides a platform to discuss the way forward to address the tax challenges arising from the digitization of the economy,” he said.

It is noteworthy that G20 states have already achieved major successes in supporting the international community’s fight against tax evasion.

Members of the G20/OECD Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes work hard to implement the internationally agreed standards on tax transparency.

As for promoting the digitalization of economies, G20 member states are working to establish a data-based approach and to optimize the usage of digital economy tools.

G20 countries are counted on at this stage to face the challenges that may arise from the digitalization of the global economy. They are responsible for bridging gaps and creating effective policies and strategies with innovation, flexibility, and adaptability.

Preserving the integrity and stability of supply chains also figures high on the group’s list of priorities.

Economic experts believe that digital transformation both in G20 countries and worldwide gives rise to evidence-based policies that can substantially improve the standards of living of all people.

The digitalization of economies also helps in creating high-quality job opportunities.



Oil Prices Fall as Demand Concerns Overshadow Libyan Export Halt

FILE - The drilling rig of the Kingfisher oil field, operated by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), is seen on the shores of Lake Albert in the Kikuube district of western Uganda Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda, File)
FILE - The drilling rig of the Kingfisher oil field, operated by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), is seen on the shores of Lake Albert in the Kikuube district of western Uganda Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda, File)
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Oil Prices Fall as Demand Concerns Overshadow Libyan Export Halt

FILE - The drilling rig of the Kingfisher oil field, operated by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), is seen on the shores of Lake Albert in the Kikuube district of western Uganda Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda, File)
FILE - The drilling rig of the Kingfisher oil field, operated by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), is seen on the shores of Lake Albert in the Kikuube district of western Uganda Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda, File)

Brent oil prices fell on Tuesday as sluggish economic growth in China, the world's biggest crude importer, increased worries about demand that overshadowed the impact of the halt of production and exports from Libya.
Brent crude futures were down 17 cents, or 0.2%, to $77.35 a barrel by 0620 GMT, Reuters reported.
West Texas Intermediate crude futures, which did not settle on Monday because of the US Labor Day holiday, were up 50 cents, or 0.7%, at $74.05 a barrel.
"Oil remains under pressure given lingering Chinese demand concerns. Weaker-than-expected PMI data over the weekend would have done little to ease these worries," said Warren Patterson of ING, adding that demand jitters are offsetting the Libyan supply disruptions.
China's purchasing managers' index (PMI) hit a six-month low in August. On Monday, the country reported new export orders in July fell for first time in eight months, and new home prices grew in August at their weakest pace this year.
In Libya, oil exports at major ports were halted on Monday and production curtailed across the country, six engineers told Reuters, continuing a standoff between rival political factions over control of the central bank and oil revenue.
The country's National Oil Corp (NOC) declared force majeure on its El Feel oil field from Sept. 2. Total production had plunged to little more than 591,000 barrels per day (bpd) as of Aug. 28 from nearly 959,000 bpd on Aug. 26, NOC said. Production was at about 1.28 million bpd on July 20, the company said.
Still, some supply is set to return to the market as eight members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and affiliates, known as OPEC+, are scheduled to boost output by 180,000 bpd in October. The plan is likely to go ahead regardless of demand worries, according to industry sources.
OPEC planners may decide that the expected upcoming cuts in US interest rates and the Libyan outage provides space for the addition of more oil, RBC Capital analyst Helima Croft said in a note.
"In our view, a prolonged Libyan outage could support Brent prices" around $85 a barrel, even with additional supply coming onto the market in the fourth quarter, she said.