CSIA (csiaorg.com) is a federation of 15 national professional bodies, representing over 100,000 corporate secretaries and governance professionals in more than
Source: CSIA Global Governance Voice Issue 30
https://bit.ly/42Dysnu
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Twenty Practical Steps to Better Corporate Governance | The Corporate Secretaries International Association (CSIA)
Twenty Practical Steps to Better Corporate Governance | The Corporate Secretaries International Association (CSIA) Please click the li...
Showing posts with label Governance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Governance. Show all posts
Friday, June 16, 2023
Friday, March 10, 2023
Global Governance Voice – Issue 29 by The Corporate Secretaries International Association
Our quarterly E-magazine presents thought-leading articles and the latest news from CSIA member associations and stakeholders from around the world.
Source: Global Governance Voice | CSIA
https://bit.ly/3ZCirxo
Monday, November 28, 2022
Global Governance Voice Issue 28 by The Corporate Secretaries International Association
CSIA (csiaorg.com) is a federation of 15 national professional bodies, representing over 100,000 corporate secretaries and governance professionals in more than
Source: CSIA Global Governance Voice Issue 28
https://bit.ly/3XHsktg
Thursday, November 10, 2022
Monday, September 19, 2022
CSIA Global Governance Voice Issue 27
CSIA (csiaorg.com) is a federation of 15 national professional bodies, representing over 100,000 corporate secretaries and governance professionals in more than
Source: CSIA Global Governance Voice Issue 27
https://bit.ly/3ShnX4C
Friday, December 3, 2021
CSIA Global Governance Voice Issue 24 | Corporate Secretaries International Association
Source: CSIA Global Governance Voice Issue 24
https://bit.ly/3Ii9cdj
Wednesday, November 17, 2021
Sunday, September 2, 2018
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
British cycling criticised for lack of governance in report – SBS
The Independent |
British cycling criticised for lack of governance in report
SBS LONDON (Reuters) – British Cycling has been heavily criticised for failings of governance and leadership in an independent review into the sport published on Wednesday following allegations of bullying and sexism. Source: Reuters. 11 MINS AGO … Review claims good governance lacking and behavioral concerns not acted upon by British CyclingInsidethegames.biz |
June 14, 2017 at 03:56PM
from
RSPCA faces ‘further regulatory action’ unless it reforms governance – Civil Society Media
|
RSPCA faces ‘further regulatory action’ unless it reforms governance
Civil Society Media The Charity Commission has warned the RSPCA that it must improve its governance with “necessary urgency” or face “further regulatory action”, and that the regulator will formally monitor the charity to ensure it develops and implements a proper action … |
June 14, 2017 at 03:56PM
from
Should Governments Invest More in Nudging?
Shlomo Benartzi, John Beshears, Katherine L. Milkman et al in Psychological Science: “Governments are increasingly adopting behavioral science techniques for changing individual behavior in pursuit of policy objectives. The types of “nudge” interventions that governments are now adopting alter people’s decisions without coercion or significant changes to economic incentives. We calculated ratios of impact to cost for nudge interventions and for traditional policy tools, such as tax incentives and other financial inducements, and we found that nudge interventions often compare favorably with traditional interventions. We conclude that nudging is a valuable approach that should be used more often in conjunction with traditional policies, but more calculations are needed to determine the relative effectiveness of nudging….(More)”.
Full Post: Should Governments Invest More in Nudging?
June 14, 2017 at 07:25AM
from Stefaan Verhulst
There’s More to Agriculture than Handhoes: Rising Opportunities for Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship in African Agrifood Systems
Africa’s share of the global population is projected to rise dramatically from 12% in 2015 to 23% by 2050. This huge demographic trend will certainly amplify Africa’s political and economic impact on the rest of the world, and this impact will largely be determined by young Africans between 15-35 years who constitute about 55% of the labor force. At the same time, Africa faces a big employment challenge, about 11 million young Africans are expected to enter into the labor force each year until 2035. Yet formal job creation in Africa’s growing economies has not kept pace — more than half of Africa’s un- and underemployed are youth. Research by Michigan State University in collaboration with The MasterCard Foundation, the Agrifood Youth Employment and Engagement Study (AgYees) examines the potential for African agrifood systems to provide employment opportunities for Africa’s youth, focusing on Tanzania, Rwanda and Nigeria.
The study found that, throughout the next decade, expanding investments in Sub-Saharan Africa’s agrifood system will be critical to generate greater numbers of higher paying jobs —both on and off the farm — that can reduce poverty among the large rural youth population and accelerate economic transformation.
June 14, 2017 at 12:10AM
from Julie Howard
RSPCA’s governance must be brought up to standard, says regulator – Third Sector
Third Sector |
RSPCA’s governance must be brought up to standard, says regulator
Third Sector The Charity Commission has said that the RSPCA’s governance should be “brought up to standard” after the charity’s chief executive departed with immediate effect. The comments follow the news yesterday that Jeremy Cooper had stepped down with … RSPCA governance must be ‘brought up to standard’ says CommissionCivil Society Media Governance crisis at leading charity as chief executive resignsThird Force News |
June 14, 2017 at 12:04AM
from
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
Offshore Company – Going Global | Muzaffar Alvi | Pulse | LinkedIn
An offshore company is registered or incorporated outside the country where it has its main offices and operations, or where its principal investors reside. The term “offshore” can refer to any country, but it is mostly associated with certain countries, or jurisdictions, where the local laws offer asset protection, business flexibility, tax minimization and privacy protection. Forming an offshore company begins with choosing a business structure and jurisdiction. Then, the business owners must appoint a registered agent or trustee, incorporate the company and fulfill all financial reporting responsibilities.
Characteristics of offshore companies:
Offshore companies differ depending upon the corporate law in the relevant jurisdiction. All offshore companies have certain characteristics:
They are broadly not subject to taxation in their home jurisdiction.
The corporate regime will be designed to promote business flexibility.
Regulation of corporate activities will normally be lighter than in a developed country.
The absence of taxation or regulation in the home jurisdiction does not exempt the relevant company from taxation or regulation abroad.
Another common characteristic of offshore companies is the limited amount of information available to the public. This varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Most jurisdictions have laws which permit law enforcement authorities (either locally or from overseas) to have access to relevant information, and in some cases, private individuals.
Most offshore jurisdictions normally remove corporate restraints such as thin capitalization rules, financial assistance rules, and limitations on corporate capacity and corporate benefit. Many have removed rules relating to maintenance of capital or restrictions on payment of dividends. A number of jurisdictions have also enacted special corporate provisions to attract business through offering corporate mechanisms that allow complex business transactions or reorganizations.
Uses of offshore companies:
There are allegations that offshore companies are used for money laundering, tax evasion, fraud, and other forms of white collar crime. Offshore companies are also used in a wide variety of commercial transactions from holding companies, to joint ventures and listing vehicles. Offshore companies are also used widely in connection with private wealth for tax mitigation and privacy. The use of offshore companies, particularly in tax planning, has become controversial in recent years, and a number of high-profile companies have ceased using offshore entities in their group structure as a result of public campaigns for such companies to pay their “fair share” of Government taxes.
Tax Haven:
A tax haven is a jurisdiction that offers favorable tax or other conditions to its taxpayers as relative to other jurisdictions. Particular taxes, such as an inheritance tax or income tax, are levied at a low rate or not at all. Maintains a system of financial secrecy, which enables foreign individuals to hide assets or income to avoid or reduce taxes in the home jurisdiction.
The following jurisdictions are considered the major destinations:
(1.) Bermuda:
Bermuda earned the dubious distinction of ranking No.1 on Oxfam’s 2016 list of the world’s worst corporate tax havens. Bermuda features a zero percent corporate tax rate, as well as no personal income tax rate. Due to the lack of corporate taxes, multinational companies have raked in huge amounts of money in Bermuda.
(2.) Netherlands:
The most popular tax haven among the Fortune 500 is the Netherlands, with more than half of the Fortune 500 reporting at least one subsidiary there. Oxfam’s list of the worst corporate tax havens placed this Benelux country at No.3.
National governments often use tax incentives to lure businesses to invest in their country. However, far too often tax incentives have been found to be ineffective, inefficient and costly, according to Oxfam.
(3.) Luxembourg:
This tiny EU member state remains a center of relaxed fiscal regulation through which multinationals are helped to avoid paying taxes. It’s the leading banking center in the Euro zone, with 143 banks that manage assets of around 800 billion dollars.
Pros: In Luxembourg, disclosure of professional secrecy may be punished with imprisonment. Asides from that, many international corporations choose Luxembourg as location for their headquarters and logistics centers, due to low taxes and excellent European location.
Cons: Tax exemptions on intellectual property rights may come up to 80% in Luxembourg, which is why many companies choose to manage their IP rights from here. However, it’s important to note that the tax exemption applies only to intellectual property rights instituted after December 31 2007.
(4.) Cayman Islands:
Assets of 1.4 trillion dollars are managed through the banks in this country right now. Being a British territory, which has 200 banks and more than 95,000 companies registered, the Cayman Islands is the world leader in hosting investment funds and the second country in the world where captive insurance companies are registered (designed to ensure the assets of a parent company having another object of activity). Over half of GDP is provided by the Cayman Islands financial services sector.
Pros: The Cayman Islands is one of the few countries or territories in which the law allows companies to be formed and manage assets without paying tax. This is considered legal and it’s not seen as a strategy to avoid taxes.
Cons: The tax benefits for incorporating in the Cayman Islands exists mainly for companies who are doing business in several countries, in order to avoid the hassle of dealing with various taxation systems.
(5.) Singapore:
Strategically located, the Republic of Singapore has a reputation as a financial center that’s really attractive to “offshore” funds of Asian companies and entrepreneurs.
Pros: Legislation on the confidentiality of banking information entered into force in 2001 and since then, the electrifying city-state is recognized by the strictness with which it implements that law. And Singapore does not waive these rules, in spite of pressure from foreign governments.
Cons: Singapore is not a country used by wealthy individuals seeking important tax benefits, as most countries from this region offer a relaxed tax regime.
(6.) Channel Islands:
Located between England and France, the Channel Islands host hundreds of international corporate subsidiaries.
The Channel Islands consist of two British Crown dependencies:
- The Bailiwick of Jersey, consisting of Jersey
- The Bailiwick of Guernsey, consisting of three separate jurisdictions: Guernsey, Alderney and Sark
Crown dependencies are not part of the United Kingdom, but are instead self-governing territories.
There is no inheritance tax, capital gains tax or standard corporate tax. This has made Jersey a popular tax haven, and the island now houses $5 billion worth of assets per square mile. Maybe you should add the Channel Islands to your list when you look for cheap places to retire.
(7.) Isle of Man:
The Isle of Man is considered somewhat of a financial center for low taxes. This tiny island, located between England and Ireland has a very low income tax, of maximum 20% and no more than 120,000 pounds.
Pros: Low tax rates are not the only advantages offered by this small island. Their pension plan is also really great, which is way many companies choose to have their employee pension plans held in accounts in this country. It’s possible to benefit from these pension plans starting from the age of 50 and onwards.
Cons: Establishing companies in the Isle of Man may be costly, especially for non – commercial activities and the registration process can be quite complex.
(8.) Ireland:
Ireland is often referred to as a tax haven, despite Irish officials asserting that is not the case. However, a Congressional Research Service report found that American multinational companies collectively reported 43 percent of their foreign earnings in five small tax haven countries: Bermuda, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Ireland.
(9.) Mauritius:
Located in the Indian Ocean, near Madagascar, Mauritius is another island that attracts many foreign investments. A large number of international corporations have subsidiaries established in Mauritius.
Pros: The corporate tax levied in Mauritius is really low, compared with other jurisdictions, of only 15%. Capital gains and interest are not taxed in Mauritius and residents can also benefit from various tax exemptions, due to double tax treaties.
Cons: Mauritius was used as a location for investments, especially for those directed towards India, but in May 2016, a new protocol amending the double taxation treaty between India and Mauritius was signed. This gives India a source based right to tax capital gains, which arise from alienation of shares of Indian resident companies acquired by Mauritius residents.
(10.) Monaco:
This tiny state has only 36,000 residents, but it attracts many entrepreneurs and companies willing to invest in this small country. Why? Because the income tax for residents hasn’t changed since 1869.
Pros: Once a person has become a Monaco resident, they are allowed to keep all the income they make, without any limitations. It’s no wonder that most of the world’s millionaires are residents of Monaco. Corporate taxes are also really low, which makes Monaco a great location to start a company.
Cons: In order to become a Monaco resident, a person needs to be a citizen of an EU – member state or have a long-term French visa. It’s also necessary to deposit at least 100,000 Euro in a bank in Monaco, to have private health insurance and to buy a property in Monaco.
(11.) Switzerland:
Switzerland has in its banks right now the equivalent of 6.5 trillion dollars of assets under management, and 51% of that comes from abroad, so it’s not really a surprise the country is also a global leader in asset management, with a market share of 28%.
Under international pressure, Switzerland has relaxed slightly in recent years its laws on fiscal secrecy, but the lobby for keeping these regulations remains strong as evidenced by the aggressive policy of the country against pressures for disclosure of information in this sector.
Pros: Combining low taxes with a top – notch banking system, it’s no wonder that Switzerland is one of the most popular tax havens in Europe. Opening a Swiss company is a relatively fast process, compared with the legal hurdles of other European states.
Cons: Although any individual or legal entity is allowed to register a company in Switzerland, one of the conditions required by Swiss law is to have at least one Swiss company director. To solve the Swiss directorship issue and tackle company formation Switzerland you should talk to experts.
(12.) Bahamas:
Pros: In the Bahamas, the personal income tax rate is zero. It can’t get any lower than that, right? There is also no wealth tax, no capital gains tax, no withholding tax and various other tax benefits both for individuals and for companies.
Cons: Not everyone can take advantage of a tax exemption on personal income, just those who are also residents of the Bahamas. Obtaining the residence here requires, in particular, the realization of an investment in a local property of a minimum value of $500, 000 (or a minimum of $1,5 million for the accelerated procedure).
The Bahamas doesn’t levy direct taxes, so there are no double tax treaties with other countries, but this tiny country has signed tax information agreements with 29 other countries, including USA, UK and Canada. However, information disclosure is limited to criminal matters.
(13.) Hong Kong:
Hong Kong is one of the emerging tax havens, as here assets of 2.1 trillion dollars are managed right now. It has the second largest stock market in Asia, after Tokyo, and shows the highest density of people with fortunes of more than 100 million dollars. Just under half of foreign investment in China went to Hong Kong in 2012 for example.
Pros: Companies incorporated in Hong Kong pay tax only on profits sourced in Hong Kong and the tax rate is currently at 16.5%. There is no withholding tax on dividends paid to foreign shareholders and no tax on capital gain.
Cons: China’s control over Hong Kong hinder initiatives to increase transparency and further enables the holders of bearer securities – instruments for some of the most harmful criminal activity – to remain unidentified. This damages somewhat the credibility and the reputation of companies registered in Hong Kong.
(14.) Malta:
Malta makes it on the top of the list of the countries with the lowest taxes in the world in 2016, which is why is one of the best tax havens in 2017. Living on the small Mediterranean island makes it possible to gain the status of resident and to be thus taxed only on income from local sources.
Pros: One of the best tax advantages for individuals and companies is that there is no tax levied in Malta for revenues obtained abroad.
Cons: Maltese nationality can also be obtained through a citizenship by investment program, for those who want a faster process. However, in order to obtain Maltese citizenship, it is necessary to make investments in Malta worth about 1 million Euros.
(15.) Panama, which is a significant international maritime centre. Although Panama (with Bermuda) was one of the earliest offshore corporate domiciles, Panama lost significance in the early 1990s. Panama is now second only to the British Virgin Islands in volumes of incorporations.
(16.) New Zealand, the remotest jurisdiction, has the advantage of being a true primary jurisdiction but with a tough but practical regulatory regime. It is well positioned for the Asian market but retains close ties to Europe.
(17.) Nevis: the offshore companies located in this Caribbean island of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis are exempt from all local taxes, including income, withholding, capital gain taxes, stamp duties and other fees or taxes based upon income or assets originating outside of Nevis or in connection with other activities outside of Nevis.
Asia Frontier Capital Identifies The 2 Sectors Leading Corporate Governance in Pakistan – Frontera News
Frontera News |
Asia Frontier Capital Identifies The 2 Sectors Leading Corporate Governance in Pakistan
Frontera News Thomas Hugger, chief executive officer and founder of Hong Kong-based Asia Frontier Capital (AFC), had positive views to share about corporate governance in Pakistan (PAK). “We think that corporate governance in Pakistan is better when compared with … |
June 13, 2017 at 06:24AM
from
SAFT ON WEALTH-The corporate governance flaw at heart of investment management: James Saft – Reuters
|
SAFT ON WEALTH-The corporate governance flaw at heart of investment management: James Saft
Reuters June 12 Lousy incentives for corporate stewardship is a flaw at the heart of our system of delegated asset management. What’s more, index funds, which are rapidly becoming the dominant force in investment management, have the lowest incentive to spend … |
June 13, 2017 at 05:31AM
from
Monday, June 12, 2017
Jamaica to be first total e-governance country in region – Jamaica Observer
Jamaica Observer |
Jamaica to be first total e-governance country in region
Jamaica Observer Education, Youth and Information Minister Senator Ruel Reid (right) greets executive director of the e-Governance Academy in Estonia, Dr Arvo Ott, while Inter-American Development Bank Representative for Jamaica and Caribbean Country Department … |
June 12, 2017 at 11:54AM
from
Feedback Sought on Future Governance of the Nelson Arts Fest – Scoop.co.nz (press release)
|
Feedback Sought on Future Governance of the Nelson Arts Fest
Scoop.co.nz (press release) Council would like to know what the community thinks about the formation of a Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) to oversee the Nelson Arts Festival. The Arts Festival Transition Group has recommended the establishment of a CCO to run it; Council is … |
June 12, 2017 at 06:36AM
from
Big Mind: How Collective Intelligence Can Change Our World
Book by Geoff Mulgan: “A new field of collective intelligence has emerged in the last few years, prompted by a wave of digital technologies that make it possible for organizations and societies to think at large scale. This “bigger mind”—human and machine capabilities working together—has the potential to solve the great challenges of our time. So why do smart technologies not automatically lead to smart results? Gathering insights from diverse fields, including philosophy, computer science, and biology, Big Mind reveals how collective intelligence can guide corporations, governments, universities, and societies to make the most of human brains and digital technologies.
Geoff Mulgan explores how collective intelligence has to be consciously organized and orchestrated in order to harness its powers. He looks at recent experiments mobilizing millions of people to solve problems, and at groundbreaking technology like Google Maps and Dove satellites. He also considers why organizations full of smart people and machines can make foolish mistakes—from investment banks losing billions to intelligence agencies misjudging geopolitical events—and shows how to avoid them.
Highlighting differences between environments that stimulate intelligence and those that blunt it, Mulgan shows how human and machine intelligence could solve challenges in business, climate change, democracy, and public health. But for that to happen we’ll need radically new professions, institutions, and ways of thinking.
Informed by the latest work on data, web platforms, and artificial intelligence, Big Mind shows how collective intelligence could help us survive and thrive….(More)”
Full Post: Big Mind: How Collective Intelligence Can Change Our World
June 12, 2017 at 02:17AM
from Stefaan Verhulst
Big Mind: How Collective Intelligence Can Change Our World
Book by Geoff Mulgan: “A new field of collective intelligence has emerged in the last few years, prompted by a wave of digital technologies that make it possible for organizations and societies to think at large scale. This “bigger mind”—human and machine capabilities working together—has the potential to solve the great challenges of our time. So why do smart technologies not automatically lead to smart results? Gathering insights from diverse fields, including philosophy, computer science, and biology, Big Mind reveals how collective intelligence can guide corporations, governments, universities, and societies to make the most of human brains and digital technologies.
Geoff Mulgan explores how collective intelligence has to be consciously organized and orchestrated in order to harness its powers. He looks at recent experiments mobilizing millions of people to solve problems, and at groundbreaking technology like Google Maps and Dove satellites. He also considers why organizations full of smart people and machines can make foolish mistakes—from investment banks losing billions to intelligence agencies misjudging geopolitical events—and shows how to avoid them.
Highlighting differences between environments that stimulate intelligence and those that blunt it, Mulgan shows how human and machine intelligence could solve challenges in business, climate change, democracy, and public health. But for that to happen we’ll need radically new professions, institutions, and ways of thinking.
Informed by the latest work on data, web platforms, and artificial intelligence, Big Mind shows how collective intelligence could help us survive and thrive….(More)”
Full Post: Big Mind: How Collective Intelligence Can Change Our World
June 12, 2017 at 01:57AM
from Stefaan Verhulst
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