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Raising eco taxes

the Finland government has appointed a committee to compare the country's energy tax rates with those in other parts of the world. In the long-run, this exercise will indicate the potential of raising eco-taxes. The committee, appointed by the Economic Council which comprises government officials, representatives of trade unions, employers and central bank officials, is to present a report by the end of February next year, the government said in a statement.

"A key structural issue, particularly in the European Union ( eu ) countries which includes Finland, is whether income taxes can be lowered by raising environment taxes,' it said.

It said the committee would consider Finland's international obligations, look at international trends and compare Finland's energy taxes with levels in eu countries and other competing countries. The council's secretary-general, Seppo Leppanen, will chair the committee, which has representatives from ministries the statement said.

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