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Overview of economic growth trends in African States-1960-77. The first two papers, discussing growth factors in African economies, arrive at similar conclusions through divergent analyses: the great variety of economic growth patterns, on the one hand and the sizable share of foreign trade and respective terms of trade in the growth of public revenue, on the other.

Taxation and growth in the Franc-zone States. The first two papers, discussing growth factors in African economies, arrive at similar conclusions through divergent analyses: the great variety of economic growth patterns, on the one hand and the sizable share of foreign trade and respective terms of trade in the growth of public revenue, on the other.

Taxation and growth models. G. Olive and A. Letourmy present a model which serves to illustrate the relations existing between taxation and the economy, and more particularly the possible interaction between growth rates in production and the tax burden. After outlining a simplified development model indicating the main links between taxation and the economy, but leaving aside indirect effects of tax policies and growth stimulants on model ratios, they offer a more complete model affording a more realistic approach than the first.

The difficult tax reform : the Peruvian example. J. Garelick outlines the difficulties of tax reform in Peru to point out that the main issue was one of compatibility of the financial imperatives of tax reform with the political goals of government, which he illustrates by listing the various hurdles the government had to clear to be able to streamline the system.

The Legal and Fiscal Aspects of Investment Promotion in Developing Countries. After listing the main policies for encouraging investment through favorable taxation as found in most of the investment codes of French-speaking Africa, the author questions the economic advantages resulting from or meant to result from favorable taxation. He states that in some cases fiscal advantages granted to stimulate investment may have boomerang effects on the economy, to finally outline the proper conditions which tax advantages ought to meet for investment purposes, viz — the need for selecting the right economic sectors to privilege — the need for selecting feasible projects — the need for costing exemptions in terms of loss of revenue for the State.

Foreign Investment in Developing Countries : International Taxation Issues. Naturally, foreign investments raise international taxation issues. This imposes on grantees and more particularly developing countries political options to take in matters of economy and taxation which call for due consideration of whatever interaction there may be with the tax system of the developed countries of origin. Such an interaction, if any, has to be regulated by bilateral ad hoc arrangements or more conventional tax agreements. The latter undoubtedly present advantages for foreign investors through extending a safe protection of their interests.

Taxation and Agricultural Development Policy. A Short Introduction. The author presents an overview of agricultural taxation in Africa by discussing successively : direct taxation, indirect taxation and the problem of State pricing of agricultural produce, to arrive at the following main conclusions : As regards direct taxation, the real-estate tax yield still offers ample space for improvement depending preeminently on political options to be decided upon by the various States. As regards indirect taxation, exit dues charged on export goods account for a large part of State revenue. The pricing of agricultural produce represents quite a powerful tool in the hands of the State by enabling it to guarantee an attractive income to farmers, develop agricultural production, and streamline cash-flow into Treasury. Nevertheless, it is liable to get diverted from its original purpose.

Taxation techniques and economic development. This topic was presented through a live picture of taxation in Upper Volta by Olivier Stein. After explaining the reasons for requiring tax controls referring in particular to mushrooming of African companies which on account of their being outside the normal fiscal flow are quite unable to jump in for retreating European firms by taking up their tax burden, the author indicates various policies adopted in this country to tax wider parts of local populations, whereby he shows that there is no point in just extending tax assessment by imposing new taxes or checking systematically tax relief claims, but that it is necessary instead to integrate into the “normal taxation process” all those which move within — official or unofficial — economic channels and which are not at all concerned by taxes.