ABOUT THE ITIO
"From a perspective of international enforcement, several complex trends are occurring. The first is that powerful countries through an international organizations (the OECD networking with international financial institutions) are trying to formulate a new international tax enforcement regime through soft law and many small jurisdictions are either resisting or trying to revise the same. 
"Another important development is the dynamic whereby small jurisdictions are trying to devise mechanisms whereby they can effectively participate in the shaping and implementing of rules, thereby challenging the ability of the OECD to develop participatory democracy in its processes.
"In this regard, they have tried to network and develop common approaches. In fact, some of them formed their own organization, the International Tax and Investment Organization (ITIO), and continue to try to develop means to collectively deal with the more powerful countries and international organizations."
- International Law Enforcement Reporter, April 2002

ITIO aims

The International Tax and Investment Organisation (ITIO) was established in March 2001 as a forum in which small and developing economies (SDEs) would work on an equal basis and speak with a common voice. The ITIO aims to help members contribute more effectively to the ongoing debate on international tax and investment measures and ensure that development implications are taken into account.

The ITIO's founders were the non-OECD members of the OECD-Commonwealth Joint Working Group on Harmful Tax Competition, whose experiences convinced them of the need for a new, inclusive organisation.

As set out in its Memorandum of Understanding, the ITIO's objectives are to:

  • Strengthen international cooperation amongst small and developing economies (SDEs) in taxation and investment matters, including goods and services;
  • Assist SDEs to interface with international organisations to achieve this end;
  • Develop positions with respect to taxation, and investment and other matters that affect the interests of SDEs;
  • Consider the development implications of international tax and investment initiatives and respond to initiatives that threaten the survival of SDEs; and
  • Facilitate the sharing of knowledge and best practice more effectively amongst SDEs.

ITIO activities complement those of existing regional and international bodies.

Unique ITIO approach

The ITIO is a unique among organisations to which small and developing economies (SDEs) belong. It is funded entirely by its member countries, which gives it total independence. It also places great importance on taking account of all its members' varying needs and stages of development so as to develop approaches that are of benefit to all.

Besides detailed technical work, the ITIO engages with the manner in which the developed world's agenda is being pursued. Going by members' various experiences, too many developed-country organisations still believe it is acceptable to impose standards on SDEs that their own members will not consider. The ITIO places SDEs' demands for a level playing field at the core of its activities.

This is a crucial time for small and developing countries. The developed world is embarked on a process that, if they do not engage with it efficiently and in a united fashion, could cause lasting damage to many small countries' economies and ways of life. By the strength of their common endeavour, ITIO members have already shown that they can achieve more than they achieve alone. The ITIO will continue to work to achieve results for its members individually and as a whole.

Membership benefits - what the members think