Natural Resources, Taxes and Corruption
In the latest episode of the NADEL podcast "1.90 pro Tag", Fritz Brugger and Thomas Benninger from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) address the question why resource-rich countries often make little progress in addressing poverty and inequality.
Extraction of natural resources has skyrocketed in low- and middle-income countries over the past 15 years and often accounts for a significant share of exports. Yet resource-rich countries often make little progress in addressing poverty and inequality.
Thomas Benninger, ETH NADEL 2010, knows why. The economist advises resource-rich countries at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on taxation of the extractive sector and models returns under various tax scenarios. In an interview with Fritz Brugger, he explains how mining companies should be taxed and what transparency initiatives can do to combat corruption. And he explains what the energy transition means for countries that currently live off revenues from oil, gas and coal extraction and the benefits of budget support.
Also on the podcast: the true-to-life qualities of macroeconomics, data nerds at the IMF, and strong women as role models.
Listen to Bodenschätze, Steuern und Korruption (in German)