BRITACOM Council Meeting convenes in Beijing to strengthen global tax cooperation

The BRITACOM Council Meeting was successfully held at the Belt and Road Initiative Tax Academy (BRITA)•Beijing from April 24 to 25, 2025.

Over the two days, senior tax officials from more than 20 jurisdictions, along with representatives from international organizations and academia, engaged in in-depth discussions either onsite or online on strategies for enhancing international tax cooperation and promoting global economic governance.

The meeting was inaugurated with an opening address by Mr. Wang Daoshu, Executive Secretary of the BRITACOM Secretariat and Deputy Commissioner of the State Taxation Administration of China. Mr. Benjamin Chan, Chair of the BRITACOM Council and Commissioner of the Inland Revenue Department of Hong Kong, China delivered the opening remarks highlighting the significance of the BRITACOM in fostering global tax collaboration.

During the meeting, participants delved into discussions on the progress of BRITACOM and its future work plans. Mr. Hu Jinglin, Commissioner of the State Taxation Administration of China, delivered a keynote speech emphasizing the importance of multilateralism in addressing global economic challenges. He proposed three initiatives to further enhance the BRITACOM: expanding high-quality mutual benefits, promoting higher-level capacity building, and exploring innovative practices in the context of digital transformation.

The session on the Tax Administration Product Portfolio was introduced by Mr. Lian Qifeng, Director General of the Tax and Information Technology Administration Department of the State Taxation Administration of China, emphasizing the framework of the portfolio, followed by experience sharing from several participants: Mr. Rafik Kessai, Counsellor at the Embassy of Algeria in China, Mr. Tocke Térence Adrien, Head of the Department of Studies, Planning and Fiscal Reforms of Directorate General of Taxation of Cameroon, Mr. Samson Uridia, Head of International Relations Department of Revenue Service of Georgia, Mr. Prakash Paudel, Director of Inland Revenue Department of Nepal, Mr. Solehzoda Ayubjon Maruf, First Deputy Chairman of the Tax Committee of Tajikistan, Ms. Sara Alhebshi, Tax Compliance Executive Director of the Federal Tax Authority of the United Arab Emirates, Ms. Cao Shan, Director of the Tax and Information Technology Administration Department of the State Taxation Administration of China, and Mr. Eric Boumah, Head of the Tax Administration of General Management of Taxes of Gabon.

The session on the Taxpayer Service Product Portfolio was introduced by Mr. Shen Xinguo, Director General of the Taxpayer Service Department of the State Taxation Administration of China, emphasizing the general picture of the portfolio, followed by delegates sharing their experiences, Ms. Dwi Astuti, Director of Tax Dissemination, Services, and Public Relations of the Directorate General of Taxes of Indonesia, Ms. Lam Pui Kuen, Assistant Commissioner of the International and Taxation Development Unit of the Inland Revenue Department of Hong Kong, China, Ms. Mariyam Himmath Hassan, Deputy Director General of the Planning and Development Department of Inland Revenue Authority of Maldives, Mr. Saleh H. Alsahaibani, Director of Customer Experience and Service Improvement of the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Zhang Yunzeng, Director of the Taxpayer Service Department of the State Taxation Administration of China, Ms. Uyanga B., Tax Official at the Taxpayer Service Department of the General Department of Taxation of Mongolia. Prof. Dr. Victor Van Kommer, Director of Capacity Building and Tailored Services at the International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation (IBFD), provided insights on international best practices in both tax administration and taxpayer services.

The meeting also addressed the development of the Belt and Road Initiative Tax Administration Capacity Enhancement Group (BRITACEG). Mr. Iong Kong Leong, Director of the BRITACEG and Director of the Financial Services Bureau of Macao, China, provided an introduction to the BRITACEG's activities and achievements. He highlighted the role of BRITACEG in promoting capacity building and knowledge sharing among relevant parties. The heads and representatives of the 6 BRITAs, including BRITA•Beijing, BRITA•Astana, BRITA•Yangzhou, BRITA•Riyadh, BRITA•Macao, and BRITA•Algiers, also shared their experiences and future plans.

The meeting also updated on the preparations for the 6th BRITACOF, scheduled to take place in Kathmandu, Nepal, from September 9 to 11, 2025. Mr. Wang Daoshu and Mr. Kapil Prasad Subedi, Director of the Inland Revenue Department of Nepal, introduced the forum's agenda and objectives, and logistics arrangement respectively. Mr. Madan Dahal, Director General of the Inland Revenue Department of Nepal gave a warm welcome to all the delegates to join the 6th BRITACOF.

Furthermore, the BRITACOM Council reviewed and approved the German Federation Industries' (BDI) Observership to the BRITACOM. Christian Kaeser, Chair of Tax Commission of the BDI made a brief response and highlighted the influence of BRITACOM in promoting global trade and tax certainty. This move underscores BRITACOM’s growing influence and its commitment to expanding its network of partners.

The meeting concluded with a visit to the Beijing Yanqi Lake International Convention (the site of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation), and the Exhibition Center for the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation to gain a deeper understanding of the Belt and Road Initiative, and a field trip to the First Taxation Office of Chaoyang District Office, Beijing Municipal Tax Service of the State Taxation Administration of China, providing participants with a firsthand look at China's tax administration practices, including smart taxation, digitalized e-invoicing, etc.

With 37 Member Tax Administrations and 31 Observers, BRITACOM has become a vital platform for international tax cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. The successful conclusion of this Council Meeting marks another milestone step in strengthening global tax governance and fostering a more inclusive and sustainable economic environment.