| Decades after becoming Europe's number one tax | | | | 'This is highly unlikely,' contend the Monaco guide, 'There |
| haven, Monaco is to start collating and publishing | | | | are influential figures in the EU who have been pushing |
| figures showing it's GDP for the first time. | | | | for tax harmonisation across EU countries for some |
| One independent travel guide for Monaco and Monte | | | | time now, and while it is unlikely to happen as Britian |
| Carlo, say that those who are considering moving to | | | | would veto any move towards this, it would kill the |
| Monaco because of her zero income tax policy have | | | | goose that lays the golden egg for Monaco, and far |
| nothing to worry about. | | | | from leading Monaco to the world stage on important |
| 'This is much more about Prince Albert pushing ahead | | | | issues like the environment and the Third World, it |
| with his agenda on the environment and world affairs | | | | would lead Monaco to being little more than a |
| than it is Monaco's tax policy', they claim. | | | | European backwater with the Grand Prix and casino |
| Prince Albert became ruler of Monaco just over a | | | | as her main attractions'. |
| year ago, after the passing of his father Prince Rainier, | | | | Due to her tax status property prices in Monaco are |
| who transformed the Principality into the world's best | | | | among the highest in the world. |
| known tax haven in the fifty years he was in charge. | | | | Typical of Monaco real estate prices are a one |
| 'Prince Albert is much more interested in world affairs | | | | bedroom apartment without views of the |
| as he knows the future of Monaco as a tax haven is | | | | Mediterranean at 880,000 Euros - after closing costs |
| safe', Henri Boulanger, spokesman for the guide, adds. | | | | nearer to a million - 1,950,000 Euros for a two bedroom |
| 'The last year has seen him going to the North Pole to | | | | apartment, and expect to pay between three and four |
| try to show other world leaders that the environment | | | | million Euros for a good three bedroom apartment with |
| is one of the top issues they should be addressing, and | | | | sea views and parking space. |
| the publishing of Monaco's GDP and Gross National | | | | Buyers from the UK have increased significantly in the |
| Income statistics will allow him to have Monaco play a | | | | last couple of years, and demand from them has |
| full and active role at the United Nations. For example | | | | helped push property price inflation to close to ten per |
| Monaco will know how much they should be | | | | cent a year. |
| contributing to the United Nations Millennium for | | | | For the future, the Monaco travel guide predict that |
| Development project, and other overseas projects'. | | | | prices will continue to rise for the short and medium |
| Recognising that collecting financial information could | | | | term, but are keen to state that real estate, like any |
| put off wealthy individuals moving to Monaco, the | | | | other commodity, can dip in value on occasion as well |
| government has told those businessmen taking part | | | | as rise. |
| that all information will be kept confidential, and will not | | | | Aside from the obvious tax advantages Monaco |
| be used for fiscal purposes. | | | | residents enjoy, the Monaco Grand Prix in May draws |
| Monaco And The EU | | | | ten of thousands of tourists to the Principality at the |
| Political analysts might see the beginning of information | | | | end of May on an annual basis, while the Monaco |
| gathering in Monaco as the start of a process to join | | | | Yacht Show in September is an increasingly popular |
| the EU. | | | | event. |