“There was no negligence on the part of those who manage funds Social Security” – Jornal de Negócios – Portugal

The Minister of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security, Vieira da Silva, considered not to have existed “negligence or lack of attention” by the leaders of the Social Security funds on the application of funds in tax havens.

“I do not consider with the data I have, that there has been negligence or lack of attention by the officials of the fund, as I said, at least since 2008 have a very strict code of use of the resources of Social Security, “Vieira da Silva said ., on the sidelines of the annual Congress of Family Business in Lisbon

Vieira da Silva was speaking after the weekly Expresso have reported on 26 April that the state – and public authorities – had applied EUR 148 million in tax havens blacklist of Finance at the end of June 2015 and the TSF have revealed today that there were three public entities involved in these applications: CP – Trains of Portugal, Management Agency of the Treasury and public Debt (IGCP) and Social security.

For Vieira da Silva, what has now been reported by the TSF “is already behind” and admits that he is not even connected to the dossier ‘Panama Papers’ (Panama Papers).

“that which is featured now like to clarify that it is no application that funds Social Security have done – is already behind, I am very comfortable talking about it – in any kind of offshore [tax haven] is a participation in a British fund that combines the actions of a diverse set of businesses, “he said.

the minister also said that these companies, there is that there is some doubt by some entities that consider headquartered in Jordan, a country where Portugal is not allowed inside to take applications.

“There is a direct application is an application on a background of a company that, according to some readings, has headquarters in Jordan, other readings in the UK, I do not consider that there was no option, “he said.

Vieira da Silva considers that what is at issue is the existence of an application” in funds listed on major bags “and that eventually one of these funds that the minister thinks is listed on the London Stock Exchange” has the participation of a company that may have a relationship “with tax havens.

” I understand that this is a topic appealing, but this concrete situation come to the conclusion that there is application of social security funds ‘offshore’ there is a tremendous distance, is the only word that comes to mind, tremendous distance, “he said.

in a statement together, the ministries of Finance and Social Security clarified today that Portuguese State held in tax havens, in June last year, 133 million euros invested by IGCP in debt CP, and over 171,000 euros applied by Social Security.

on 30 June 2015, the State held a position of EUR 133 million held by IGCP concerning a bond issued by Polo III – CP Finance Limited, based in Jersey, maturing in July 2015 and which payment was however achieved by CP.

the State also held a position of 171,000 euros held by the Financial Stabilization Fund of Social Security (FEFSS) relating to an investment in aclkções pharmaceutical Hikma Pharmaceuticals Plc. , based in Jordan, issued and regulated by the London Stock Exchange, the statement said.