**Ben L. Arrindell, Dip. Law**

Mr. Ben Arrindell, International Tax Partner of Ernst & Young, is a featured Presenter for the October 5th **Product Development Seminar** being hosted by the Bahamas Financial Services Board. The Seminar will be opened by the Hon. Allyson Maynard-Gibson, Minister of Financial Services and Investments.

Under the theme *”Tax as a Driver of Wealth Management”*, he will review the Evolving Offshore Model of Barbados, looking at issues such as the Role of Double Taxation Agreements and Wealth Management and Trust Planning. Mr. Arrindell will also speak to *Opportunities* such as market access and attracting cross border investment activities and *Challenges* such as the OECD Harmful Tax Initiative and Anti-Tax Haven Lists in Major Countries.

Ben Arrindell is the Country Managing Partner with Ernst & Young Caribbean, with responsibility for the Barbados and BVI offices. He is also an International Tax Partner and leader of the firm’s International Business industry group. With over 20 years experience in the tax advisory field, he specialises in advising clients on Barbados tax issues as well as international tax matters. Ben joined the firm in October 1992 from the International Tax Group of Ernst & Young, London (UK). Prior to joining Ernst & Young, he worked with the International Tax Division of the UK Inland Revenue where his duties included negotiation of double taxation treaties and dealing with issues relating to tax harmonisation in the European Union.

A frequent speaker on international taxation matters both in Barbados and overseas, Ben has also written articles on international tax issues for a number of international tax publications.

Mr. Arrindell also will participate on a Seminar Session looking at the impact of trade agreements on the Bahamian Economy, with specific focus on fiscal measures available to Government (such as VAT).

Other external speakers at the upcoming event include:

Allison P. Shipley, Principal, Personal Financial Services Group, PricewaterhouseCoopers (Florida);
*Topic*: Review of Onshore Model – United States

Mr. Mark N. Sills, Partner in the Toronto Office of law firm Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP;
*Topic*: Studying the Impact of Trade Agreements on the Bahamian Economy (WTO in particular)

Mr. Marshall J. Langer, Of Counsel, Shutts & Bowen law firm (Florida and London)
*Topic*: A High Tax and a No Tax Country Can Both Benefit from a Limited Revenue-Sharing Arrangement.

Local speakers include Steve J. Sokic, Senior Manager of Royal Bank of Canada Trust Company (Bahamas) Limited, who will review Canada as an Onshore Model, focusing on transfer of wealth services.

The Seminar is part of BFSB’s Member Business Seminar Series and is being cosponsored by the Bahamas Bar Association, the Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants, the CFA Society of the Bahamas, and the Inter-American Development Bank, Bahamas Representative’s Office. Corporate sponsors include Ernst & Young and PricewaterhouseCoopers.