Fiscal Reforms in the Middle East
Preview

Hardback

Fiscal Reforms in the Middle East

VAT in the Gulf Cooperation Council

9781848449916 Edward Elgar Publishing
Edited by Ehtisham Ahmad, London School of Economics, UK, Chinese Academy of Fiscal Science and Zhejiang University, China and Abdulrazak Al Faris, Chief Economic Advisor, Dubai Department of Economic Development (Dubai Economy), United Arab Emirates
Publication Date: November 2010 ISBN: 978 1 84844 991 6 Extent: 352 pp
Although oil windfalls have opened a window of opportunity for the Gulf States, at the same time they have created numerous problems. In particular, the uncertainty associated with periods of boom and bust in the oil market has made the formulation and implementation of sound fiscal policies a formidable task.

This insightful book focuses on the role of fiscal policy in common markets, especially in the context of the supranational constructs in the Gulf Cooperation Council, comprising Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman. It draws on the experience of the EU and the importance of VAT, and reflects on the other main common market in Central America.

Copyright & permissions

Recommend to librarian

Your Details

Privacy Policy

Librarian Details

Download leaflet

Print page

More Information
Contributors
Contents
More Information
This insightful book focuses on the role of fiscal policy in common markets, especially in the context of the supranational constructs in the Gulf Cooperation Council, comprising Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman. It draws on the experience of the EU and the importance of VAT, and reflects on the other main common market in Central America.

Although oil windfalls have opened a window of opportunity for the Gulf States, at the same time they have created numerous problems. In particular, the uncertainty associated with periods of boom and bust in the oil market has made the formulation and implementation of sound fiscal policies a formidable task. In this study, the distinguished authors present the background to current fiscal reforms and address the critical challenges facing the Gulf States including the choice between consumption and saving (or current needs and future requirements); intra-generational equity issues; the pro-cyclicality of fiscal policy; fiscal sustainability and the prudent management of revenues from finite oil reserves. They examine the case for VAT to substantially replace customs duties, a significant source of non-oil revenue which would be lost as a result of free trade agreements between the GCC and key trading partners. They also demonstrate how an agreed design for VAT would assist in furthering economic integration, and enhance trade and exports. If properly sequenced, VAT would have a negligible impact on both inflation and the poor, and would be progressive in relation to the customs duties replaced.

This highly topical book will be of great interest to academics specializing in public sector economics and public finance, and to national and international policymakers involved in fiscal reform.
Contributors
Contributors: E. Ahmad, A. Al Faris, R.M. Bird, R. Boadway, G. Brosio, J. Kalita, S. Poddar, B. Searle, C. Silvani, V. Tanzi, C. Waerzeggers
Contents
Contents:

Introduction

1. Design of a VAT for the GCC Common Market
Ehtisham Ahmad

PART I: WHAT DOES INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE HAVE TO OFFER?
2. The Value Added Tax in the Context of the Proposed GCC Common Market
Vito Tanzi

3. Central and Subnational VATs in Federal Countries
Richard M. Bird

4. The Design of a VAT for Multi-Government Jurisdictions: Lessons from Canada
Robin Boadway

5. The European VAT and the Common Market Framework: Lessons for the GCC
Christophe Waerzeggers

6. The VAT in Common Markets: Lessons from Central America
Carlos Silvani

7. VAT, Revenue Sharing, and Intergovernmental Transfer Design: The Australian Experience
Bob Searle

PART II: INTRODUCING THE VAT IN THE GCC AND UAE
8. Setting a VAT Registration Threshold: GCC Considerations and Evidence from Dubai
Ehtisham Ahmad and Giorgio Brosio

9. A VAT in the UAE: Distributional Consequences and Social Sectors
Ehtisham Ahmad and Giorgio Brosio

10. Treatment of Financial Services under a UAE VAT
Satya Poddar and Jayanta Kalita

11. Institutions, Political Economy, and Timing of a VAT: Options for Dubai and the UAE
Ehtisham Ahmad

Index
eBook for individuals
978 1 84980 582 7
From $40.00
Click here for options
eBook for library purchase
978 1 84980 582 7
View sample chapter and check access on:
eBook options

Available for individuals to buy from these websites

Or recommend to your institution to acquire on Elgaronline
  • Buy as part of an eBook subject collection - flexible options available
  • Downloading and printing allowed
  • No limits on concurrent user access, ideal for course use
My Cart