Key Takeaways from EBC Financial Group and Oxford University’s Webinar Series

EBC Financial Group (EBC Group) and the University of Oxford’s Department of Economics recently concluded their much-anticipated webinar series episode, “What Economists Really Do: The Economics of Tax Evasion. The event, held on 6 March 2024, brought together leading experts, academics, researchers and students worldwide to discuss pressing issues surrounding global tax reforms and the implications of tax evasion on the global economy.

During the webinar, attendees engaged in a dynamic discussion led by Sarah Clifford, Associate Professor at the University of Oxford’s Department of Economics, with David Barrett, CEO of EBC Financial Group (UK) Ltd, as the official guest speaker . (Together,) They delved into the complexities of the global tax system, highlighting the need for reforms to prevent tax evasion.

The discussion began with an examination of the competitive pressures faced by businesses in today’s globalised economy. Attendees gained insights into how firms must remain competitive to survive and the challenges small businesses face in navigating complex regulatory environments. Moreover, how multinational corporations strategically minimise tax liabilities was also discussed, which is by exploiting jurisdictional arbitrage, such as setting up offices in low-tax jurisdictions and utilising offshore accounts. The conversation then shifted to the global complexity of taxation and the challenges it presents to businesses operating across multiple jurisdictions that involve regulatory compliance and reporting requirements. The discussion also highlighted how countries incentivize and enable tax optimisation strategies, leading to a proliferation of tax havens and regulatory arbitrage opportunities.

The role of financial tax havens in the modern economy was a focal point of the discussion. The historical origins of tax havens and their evolution into integral components of the global financial system were explored. Insights were shared on how tax havens facilitate regulatory arbitrage and financial innovation, while also serving as vehicles for income and tax avoidance. The increasing scrutiny and regulation of tax havens by governments and regulatory bodies were highlighted, as well as the challenges faced by firms in navigating evolving compliance requirements.

The success of the “What Economists Really Do” webinar series underscores the importance of fostering informed dialogue and knowledge exchange on critical economic issues. The enthusiastic response from attendees added momentum as we look forward to more promising events to furthering our partnership in the years to come. Moving forward, EBC Financial Group and the University of Oxford remain dedicated to advancing research, education and collaboration for the betterment of society.

The full recording of the webinar is available here: 

And, for more information about the webinar, and for upcoming events and initiatives, please visit https://www.ebc.com/oxford .

About EBC Financial Group

Founded in London, EBC Financial Group offers innovative trading services in forex, commodities and indices with integrity and a client-centric focus. Recognised with multiple awards, our dedicated services drive client’s growth through advanced infrastructure, proprietary tools and liquidity access swift order execution and 24/7 customer support.

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