For artists, writers and creatives across the UAE and the Middle East, there have never been more opportunities to gain experience and funding.
From residencies to awards and grants to competitions, we've compiled a list of some of the most exciting projects calling out for participants.
National Pavilion of Bahrain 2023 at the Venice Biennale
The National Pavilion of Bahrain at Venice Biennale’s 18th International Architecture Exhibition is seeking multi-disciplinary teams to explore the theme of water.
From the country's historic role as a crucial trading outpost in an otherwise arid region to its contemporary, dense urban environments, the sea and presence of fresh water has always been a central to the islands of Bahrain. However, today Bahrain has one of the lowest levels of water resources per inhabitant, making it one of the country’s biggest challenges.
Practitioners are invited to analyse the question of water and offer solutions inspired by the country’s heritage.
The deadline is October 25.; More information is at www.bahrainpavilion.bh
Art Jameel Research Grant: Mapping the Arts in KSA (1940–2000)
Art Jameel is offering an opportunity for practitioners and researchers to gain a deeper understanding of modern art, exhibition histories and artist networks in the Arabian Gulf.
The topics open for study include: Exhibition Histories in Saudi Arabia (1940–2000), Artist Networks in Saudi and the wider Gulf (1940–2000) and Art Education in Saudi and/or the Gulf (1940–2000).
Art Jameel aims to support researchers to conduct original research through resources and expenses of up to 25,000 SAR (Dh24,435) to fund their research..
The deadline is October 30. More information is at www.hayyjameel.org
Projects at the Lab: Archives
Darat al Funun in Amman, Jordan, is inviting creative professionals from all disciplines to submit proposals to experiment, explore and cultivate new ideas.
Successful applicants will be offered the use of Darat al Funun's project space, the Lab, for the production and installation of their work.
The project is particularly oriented towards creatives working with archives; whether its Darat al Funun’s own 30-year archive or any other that centres on the region.
Preference is given to projects that engage the community and public, whether through workshops, discussions, public contributions or otherwise.
The deadline is October 31. More information is at www.daratalfunun.org
Cultural Foundation Art Residency 2023
Nationals and residents of the UAE are invited to apply for the six-month long residencies held by the Cultural Foundation Art Residency in Abu Dhabi.
The platform is a means for professional artists from across all disciplines to advance their skills and practice using dedicated studios and resources. The residency programme will give artists the space to produce and exhibit their works within the Cultural Foundation, providing unparalleled visibility and endorsement.
The deadline is November 1. More information is at www.culturalfoundation.ae
Sheikh Saoud Al Thani Project Award
The Sheikh Saoud Al Thani Project Award from Qatar Museums is offering a grant of 30,000 QAR (Dh30,326) to support the development of a project by a resident photographer in Western Asia and North Africa.
Grant recipients will also have the opportunity to exhibit their work and participate in public and online programming as part of Tasweer Photo Festival Qatar.
Meanwhile, the Sheikh Saoud Al Thani Single Image Award is open to photographers of all ages and experiences living in Western Asia and North Africa. Applicants are invited to submit a single photographic image that best represents their experiences and personal narratives. Awardees will have their images presented in an online exhibition, be awarded a cash prize and participate in Tasweer Photo Festival Qatar.
The deadline is November 1. More information is at www.tasweer.org.qa
Waterfront Market’s Murals and Art Competition
The Waterfront Market and Dubai Culture and Arts Authority are inviting local and home-grown artists to apply to the Murals and Art Competition. Artists are encouraged to showcase their visions of what the future of Dubai could look like, following on from Expo Dubai 2020,.
The shortlisted and wining artists will have a chance to unveil their murals in an exciting celebration at the Waterfront Market as part of Dubai Art Season 2023, as well as a cash prize.
The deadline is November 10. More information is at www.murals.waterfrontmarket.ae
The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award 2023
The 11th Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award is a launchpad for art students and fresh graduates, held under the patronage of Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan Al Nahyan and NYU Abu Dhabi, in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation.
Applicants are invited to select any media to work in, including, but not limited to photography, painting, sculpture, film, illustration, land art and multimedia. They are encouraged to think creatively about how to exhibit their work in a public context.
The winning artist or team will be awarded $10,000 to complete their installation. The winning artwork will be publicly exhibited in Abu Dhabi, in November next year.
The deadline is January 31. More information is at www.nyuad-artgallery.org
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
3%20Body%20Problem
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreators%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20David%20Benioff%2C%20D%20B%20Weiss%2C%20Alexander%20Woo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBenedict%20Wong%2C%20Jess%20Hong%2C%20Jovan%20Adepo%2C%20Eiza%20Gonzalez%2C%20John%20Bradley%2C%20Alex%20Sharp%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The Bloomberg Billionaire Index in full
1 Jeff Bezos $140 billion
2 Bill Gates $98.3 billion
3 Bernard Arnault $83.1 billion
4 Warren Buffett $83 billion
5 Amancio Ortega $67.9 billion
6 Mark Zuckerberg $67.3 billion
7 Larry Page $56.8 billion
8 Larry Ellison $56.1 billion
9 Sergey Brin $55.2 billion
10 Carlos Slim $55.2 billion
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%20electric%20motors%20with%20102kW%20battery%20pack%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E570hp%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20890Nm%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERange%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Up%20to%20428km%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh1%2C700%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Planes grounded by coronavirus
British Airways: Cancels all direct flights to and from mainland China
Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific: Cutting capacity to/from mainland China by 50 per cent from Jan. 30
Chicago-based United Airlines: Reducing flights to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong
Ai Seoul: Suspended all flights to China
Finnair: Suspending flights to Nanjing and Beijing Daxing until the end of March
Indonesia's Lion Air: Suspending all flights to China from February
South Korea's Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air and Jin Air: Suspend all flights
