Tax policy for sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific
Abstract
Tax policy has undergone significant transformation over the last half a century, and the tax policy advice of scholars and
international organizations to developing countries has changed over time. Despite varied recommendations and
attempts at taxing more, developing countries still have low levels of tax compared to GOP. Why? What have we learned
from the experiences of developing countries over the last several decades? And how can we do better in the future?
In response to fast urbanization, rapid wealth concentration and environmentally unfriendly economic growth in Asia and
the Pacific, this book focuses on forward-looking tax policies for sustainable development as part of the solution to these
priority challenges. It reflects the well-justified view that tax policy success depends highly on customizing the approach
to the unique institutional and political contexts and capacities of each country.
This book envisions economic progress which encompasses the social and environmental aspects of development. It
takes a case-by-case approach based on the principle that effective tax policies to support sustainable development must
go beyond revenue mobilization and fully leverage and incentivize the private sector to contribute to better social and
economic outcomes.
