The former head of EP office and Tajani speechwriter Peter Agius calls for the defence of Malta’ competitive advantage on taxation. In a video blog from the Gzira front, after visiting a gaming company, Agius refers to the recent ECOFIN discussion about the proposed digital tax by the European Commission. ‘This is not in Malta’s interest’ Agius clearly points out. ‘We must be open for dialogue for progress on tax transparency and tax fairness, but not at the cost of giving up our competitive advantage on taxation’ Agius affirms.

The European Commission proposed new EU legislation for a tax on web-based companies with potential impact on Malta’s services industry. Earlier on in September Commission President Juncker proposed for the EU to do away with unanimity voting on taxation matters. MEP candidate Peter Agius has consistently spoken out against such moves, cautioning however that Malta’s veto will not protect it forever on taxa harmonisation given the new mechanisms of enhanced cooperation whereby 10 Member States may proceed on their own, with an indirect effect on the Maltese Market, according to Agius.

‘As an MEP, I would resist this advance on our national sovereignty. We must however acknowledge that we must be able also to propose creative solutions to see to an enhanced tax fairness for Europe,’ Agius concludes.