On June 16-17, Messrs. Marcio Verdi, Executive Secretary and Ángel González, Operations Manager and Representative of the French Mission at CIAT, visited Havana to attend training sessions and meet with over 40 directors and specialists from the National Tax Administration Office (ONAT) and form the Ministry of Finance and Prices (MFP).

Both were greeted by Lina Pedraza Rodríguez, Minister of Finance and Prices, and Yolanda Álvarez de la Torre, Chief of ONAT, who were present during the first session, held on the morning of Wednesday 16.

During the work meeting with the visitors, the Minister highlighted the importance her Ministry assigns to the meeting, showed interest for diverse topics, encouraged the participants to discuss the different topics of interest and about the best practices and experiences.

The following are among the main aspects analyzed: Challenges and responses of the Tax Administrations to the impact of the global crisis, adaptation of administrative tax control policies facing the aforementioned crisis, different practices linked to the taxpayer registry, examination, the fight against tax fraud and specialized attention to diverse sectors of economic significance.

The Executive Secretary underscored the interest to continue organizing other meetings between CIAT experts and Cuban specialists, as a way to collaborate in the promotion of training and exchange.

Both presenters and organizers assessed the sessions as very positive and fruitful.

Armando Lopetegui Martínez
Correspondent