on harmful tax competition arranged by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) slated for today.

Accompanying Mr. Cox at the meetings are economic adviser Ron Holberton and the assistant financial secretary, Ivor Hughes.

A large turnout of Government officials from several countries is expected at the two-day symposium being held at the French Ministry of Finance.

In addition to attending the symposium, Mr. Cox will address a plenary session on Friday on the need for global cooperation to counter harmful tax practices.

The actual symposium entitled `Improving International Cooperation to Counter Harmful Tax Practices for Senior Tax Policy Makers and Tax Administrators' will be attended by all officials representing each of the six countries who earlier this month presented signed commitments to bring their tax practices line with OECD standards by 2005.

Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Cyprus, Malta, Mauritius and San Marino all managed to stay off the OECD list of jurisdictions engaging in harmful tax practices, through signing the advance commitment.

Mr. Cox has come under fire recently for his failure to divulge details on changes Government will make to satisfy the OECD requirements.

Mr. Cox is slated to return home at the weekend and has announced that he will make a Ministerial Statement on his trip at the next meeting of the House of Assembly.