India Advantages Vision – 2020 — First International Tax Conference of All India Federation of Tax Practitioners (AIFTP).

First International Tax Conference of All India Federation of Tax Practitioners (AIFTP) in association with Asia Oceania Tax Consultants Association (AOTCA) was held at Hotel Trident, Mumbai from 19th to 21st Nov., 2009. Theme for the Conference was “India Advantages – Vision 2020. Chief Guest for the Inaugural Session Hon’ble Mr. Justice F. I. Rebello, Judge, Bombay High Court delivered a thought provoking speech which was very well appreciated by the Foreign and Indian delegates. For the benefit of readers, the speech is published in the Journal. Guest of Honour for Inaugural Session Hon’ble Mr. Vimal Gandhi, President of ITAT, highlighted the contribution of ITAT in the development of International Taxation. Hon’ble President also stated that a number of judgements of ITAT on International Taxation are reported in leading International Tax Magazines and well known authors from various countries have appreciated the quality of judgements rendered by the ITAT in the field of International Taxation. Mr. Gil Levy, President of AOTCA from Australia after visiting Bombay High Court and ITAT, highly appreciated the manner of conducting the Court proceedings in India. The inaugural session was graced by various dignitaries, including the Hon’ble Members of ITAT and Sales Tax Tribunal.

It is heartening to note that the 55 foreign delegates from following 14 countries and 100 delegates from India participated in the discussion.

1. Australia
2. Hong Kong
3. India
4. Indonesia
5. Japan
6. Korea
7. Malaysia
8. Mongolia
9. Pakistan
10. Philippines
11. Taiwan
12. U. K.
13. USA
14. Vietnam

The following subjects were discussed in the technical sessions.

1. India Advantages
2. Doing Business in Australia
3. Current Development in International Tax vis-à-vis Doing Business in India
4. Transfer Pricing
5. VAT – Comparison
6. Mergers & Amalgamation – Indian Perspective
7. Mergers & Amalgamation in USA
8. Double Taxation Agreements – Controversial Issues – Comparison with Asian Countries
9. Current Developments in SGATAR & within CFE & the OECD.

Each technical session was chaired by eminent professionals and each subjects were presented by Indian and foreign professionals from different countries.

The Guest of Honour for concluding session was Mr. Vimal Gandhi, Hon’ble President, ITAT. The presence of Hon’ble Members of ITAT at the Inaugural and Concluding session were very well appreciated and acknowledged by the Indian and foreign delegates.
For the benefit of the foreign delegates the cultural programme was organised on the theme of “One India”, which was presented by the organisation called Nrityanjali.

Foreign and Indian delegates had an opportunity of interacting with one another in three memorable days of the Conference. Organising the International Conference was a great challenge. However, this was possible due to team work of Asia Tax Conference Committee. According to me, the 1st International Tax Conference of the AIFTP will be remembered in the history of AIFTP.

JAI HIND.

Dr. K. Shivaram
Editor-in-Chief