Weekly Update: Southeast Europe and the Caucasus

Albania – On June 29, CIPE partner the Albanian Center for Economic Research (ACER) organized a consultative forum which focused on the private sector’s proposals and recommendations to address the issues faced by the private sector in the field of fiscal administration. The proposals and recommendations are included in a draft paper on tax policy which is the result of consultations with private sector representatives that took place between March and June. The participants provided feedback on the main issues and recommendations. More than 30 representatives of Albanian business associations, chambers of commerce and other business support organizations attended the event, along with public officials from various government agencies and the taxpayers’ advocate. CIPE representative Carmen Stanila gave opening remarks and highlighted the main elements of an effective public-private dialogue.

Moldova – On June 28, the Institute for Development and Social Initiatives (IDSI) held a working group meeting with representatives from the National Business Agenda (NBA) network of business associations and chambers of commerce. During the meeting, participants discussed the content of proposals submitted by NBA network members regarding revisions to the Moldovan government’s fiscal policy for 2013 and what measures should be taken by the business community to streamline an effective dialogue with public authorities. In addition, working group participants discussed the NBA’s action plan for addressing issues with the state’s tax and customs administration for the following year.