Recognition, yearned for by virtually all Somalilanders, could help, as it would give the country access to multilateral assistance and encourage foreign investment.

ECONOMIST: Somaliland's elections

Economic progress depends on sustained bilateral and multilateral aid, on responsible government economic management, and on continued technical assistance from multilateral and bilateral donors.

FORBES: Gambia

The vehicle for this effort is a Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters.

FORBES: With Obama's Help, OECD Wants A World Tax Organization

Plus, the OECD Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters wasamended to allow non-OECD and non-Council of Europe members to join.

FORBES: Will IRS Get Fat Off FATCA?

The two leaders reviewed a range of outstanding issues, including areas of cooperation upcoming in connection with the East Asia Summit, where they agreed to further bilateral and multilateral cooperation on nonproliferation, on humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and also on maritime security.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

In July 2003, it established and led a multilateral, but overwhelmingly Australian, regional-assistance mission.

ECONOMIST: The reluctant deputy sheriff

But White House officials say Mr Hagel's positions on these issues have been misrepresented, saying he voted to send billions in military assistance to Israel and has supported the imposition of multilateral sanctions on Tehran.

BBC: Obama names Hagel and Brennan to lead Pentagon and CIA