International technology transfers - regional tax policy issues in Asia

Countries in the Asian region have, for some time now, been acting as importers of intellectual property. However, many Asian countries have now developed, or are developing, resources to become major technology exporters. This phenomenon has created a need for changes in their fiscal systems to accommodate outbound technology transfers. This article examines the adaptation of regional tax systems in response to the changing technology flows. It looks into convergence of regional tax systems, and how developing trends could lead to a new type of divergence between the systems. Such divergence, if not addressed, may produce fiscal imbalances, double taxation and an ultimate reduction in technology transfers.