SMU launched on Tuesday a centre that focuses on research in international and regional tax issues and taxation policies. Called the SMU-TA Centre for Excellence in Taxation, it is set up in collaboration with the Tax Academy of Singapore, with the support of the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore. The new centre will be helmed by SMU Professor of Accounting (Practice) Sum Yee Loong who has more than 30 years of experience in Singapore and international taxation. The centre will first tackle projects on international tax issues that are relevant to Singapore and Asian economies, and look into the impact of the changing global tax landscape on the region's economic competitiveness. Plans are also in the pipeline for the centre to develop a postgraduate programme in international tax.