The Government wants a strategy to combat the shadow economy; police receive EUR 6.4 million additional funds for prevention of economic crime

On 18 November 2015, the Ministerial Committee on Economic Policy was presented a report on the current situation in the action against the shadow economy. The Ministerial Committee commissioned the steering group for the prevention of economic crime to formulate a strategy for fighting the shadow economy. Also, additional financial resources of EUR 6.4 million will be allocated from the supplementary budget to the police for the prevention of economic crime.

During the formulation process, it will be assessed whether the prevention strategy should span over a period that is longer than the current government term. The Ministerial Committee on Economic Policy will deliberate the proposal for a strategy to combat the shadow economy in February next year.

The current four-year action plan for the prevention of economic crime terminates at the end of this year.   Some of the main measures implemented over the programme period include: the adoption of a public tax debt register, the adoption of a tax number in the construction industry and a four-year communications campaign. Cooperation between public authorities in fighting the shadow economy has deepened over the course of the programme period.

'I hope that the new strategy to combat the shadow economy will further enhance collaboration between the authorities. The shadow economy results in significant tax revenue losses every year. That is why we must tackle it together efficiently with an effective strategy. We must also make sure that there are sufficient financial resources to combat the shadow economy, just as is now the case with the extra resources for the police to prevent economic crime', says Minister of Finance Alexander Stubb.

The steering group for the prevention of economic crime coordinates cooperation between the ministries and public authorities.  Besides representatives from the ministries, the police, customs and tax administration are represented. The steering group submits regular reports to the Ministerial Committee on Economic Policy.

Inquiries: Päivi Nerg, Permanent Secretary, tel. +358 295 418 803, Ministry of the Interior and Sanna Heikinheimo, Police Director, tel. +358 295 488 553, Ministry of the Interior and Suvi Aherto, Special Adviser, tel. +358 50 349 6121, Ministry of Finance