Chapter News

European Green Deal: EU Commission presents actions to boost organic production

Today, the Commission presented an Action Plan for the development of organic production. Its overall aim is to boost the production and consumption of organic products, to reach 25% of agricultural land under organic farming by 2030, as well as to increase organic aquaculture significantly. Organic production comes with a number of important benefits: organic fields have around 30% more biodiversity, organically farmed animals enjoy a higher degree of animal welfare and take less antibiotics, organic farmers have higher incomes and...

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COVID-19 News, Member News

RSM | Transfer pricing in COVID times – an interim report

A year on since the catastrophic spread of COVID-19 dramatically impacted the lives and businesses of people around the world, the effects continue to be felt. Over the course of 2020, global middle market companies were required to reset supply chains, review the effectiveness of their group structures, and re-evaluate the transfer pricing implications of transactions for intra-group goods and services. This has been paired with increased reporting requirements both globally and locally, and an ongoing revenue authority focus...

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Chapter News

OECD reports to G7 on need to strengthen economic resilience against crises

Creating an emergency Rapid Response Forum to ensure global supplies of essential goods continue to flow during major international crises is one of a broad range of recommendations contained in a new OECD report to the G7 on building economic resilience. Fostering Economic Resilience in a World of Open and Integrated Markets says the devastating impacts of the Global Financial Crisis and now the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to leave lasting scars on our economies and societies. With the risk...

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Chapter News, COVID-19 News

EU Commission strengthens transparency and authorisation mechanism for exports of COVID-19 vaccines

Today, the European Commission has introduced the principles of reciprocity and proportionality as new criteria to be considered for authorising exports under the transparency and authorisation mechanism for COVID-19 vaccine exports. This system has significantly improved the transparency of exports. Nevertheless, the objective to ensure timely access to COVID-19 vaccines for EU citizens is still not met. President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “The EU is proud to be the home of vaccine producers who not only deliver...

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Member News

Vistra | Six important considerations for businesses with remote workers

As the pandemic recedes in many places, some employers have announced plans to extend their work-from-home policies indefinitely. Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Twitter and Facebook are among the growing list of major corporations to embrace the shift and acknowledge the benefits of remote work. Not only is there evidence that employees prefer the flexibility of working from home, but there are also significant benefits for employers. According to a Global Workplace Analytics survey, businesses can save roughly $11,000 a year for each employee who works remotely just...

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Member News

CLA | The American Rescue Plan Broadens the Employee Retention Credit

Key insights The ERC is now available to eligible employers for all four quarters in 2021. Recovery start-up businesses can qualify for up to $50,000 per quarter. For severely distressed employers, the 500-employee limitation does not apply. The ARP provides clarity on what credits may not overlap with the ERC. The American Rescue Plan (ARP), signed into law by President Biden on March 11, 2021, gave some clarity and additional relief to organizations seeking to claim the employee retention credit...

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COVID-19 News, Member News

CEA Legal | The Restaurant Revitalization Fund Eligibility and Next Steps

In the gigantic $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act signed by President Biden last week, $28.6 Billion have been allocated to the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRV), a tax-free grant program that will be administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to save the hospitality industry. Eligible restaurants and other food service and drinking establishments will not be required to pay back the funds received as long as used for qualifying expenses incurred from 02/15/2020 through 12/31/2021, such as payroll and...

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Member News

Stout | M&A in the Time of COVID-19: Is It the Right Time to Sell?

The global pandemic has dramatically affected people, governments and businesses during the past year. Is it the right time to sell? The global pandemic has dramatically affected people, governments and businesses during the past year. Many companies have had to navigate a very dynamic and volatile environment, which has included employee and customer health concerns, rapid changes in product and service demand, and supply chain disruptions, among other items. Businesses that were contemplating M&A processes have had to carefully reassess...

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Chapter News

IMF | From Financial Innovation to Inclusion

For technology to benefit everyone, private sector innovation needs to be supported by public goods Digital technology is transforming the financial industry, changing the way payments, savings, borrowing, and investment services are provided and who provides them. Fintech and Big Tech companies now compete with banks and other incumbents across a range of markets. Meanwhile, digital currencies promise to transform the heart of finance: money itself. But just how much has technology advanced financial inclusion? For sure, in the past year...

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Member News

Loyens & Loeff | DAC7 approved: New reporting obligations for digital platforms

On 22 March 2021, the Council of the EU amended the directive on administrative cooperation (through the so-called “DAC7”) to expand reporting obligations and exchange of information to cover sales through digital platforms. These rules would apply from 2023. In addition, DAC7 amends the actual exchange of information and cooperation between EU member states, focusing on joint actions and joint audits. These rules would apply from 2024. 1. New Reporting obligation for digital platforms Digital platform operators with nexus in the EU...

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