Yesterday, the European Commission has appointed Claes Bengtsson as Principal Adviser for Strategy and Economic Analysis Coordination in the Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD). The department is responsible for EU policies on taxation and customs and works towards fairer taxation within the European Union.
In his new position, Claes Bengtsson will provide leadership and guidance on cross cutting economic analysis issues linked to DG TAXUD policies. He will build on his extensive policy experience and deep knowledge of public finance, trade and competition policies and their interaction with taxation initiatives and Customs Union policies.
Claes Bengtsson, a Danish official, is currently Head of Unit in the Chief Economist Team of the Directorate-General for Competition (DG COMP). He worked for Executive Vice-President Vestager and Commissioners de Gucht and Kroes in the fields of trade and competition. Previously, he was also Deputy Head of Unit and Deputy Chief Economist in DG COMP. Prior to joining the Commission in 2002, Claes Bengtsson served as Head of Section at the Danish Ministry of Finance. He holds a Ph.D. in economics.