• Blackpink consists of four members, from left, Lisa, Rose, Jisoo and Jennie. Getty Images
    Blackpink consists of four members, from left, Lisa, Rose, Jisoo and Jennie. Getty Images
  • The girl group are currently on their 'Born Pink' world tour. Reuters
    The girl group are currently on their 'Born Pink' world tour. Reuters
  • The group hit Riyadh and Abu Dhabi in the Middle East. Photo: Netflix
    The group hit Riyadh and Abu Dhabi in the Middle East. Photo: Netflix
  • Blackpink members also perform solo songs. AFP
    Blackpink members also perform solo songs. AFP
  • Jisoo, a member of the K-pop group, seen here at an event marking Dior's autumn 2022 collection in Seoul, South Korea. AP
    Jisoo, a member of the K-pop group, seen here at an event marking Dior's autumn 2022 collection in Seoul, South Korea. AP
  • Lisa of Blackpink at a Michael Kors fashion show in New York City. AFP
    Lisa of Blackpink at a Michael Kors fashion show in New York City. AFP
  • Blackpink at a fan meeting in Seoul in May 2017. Reuters
    Blackpink at a fan meeting in Seoul in May 2017. Reuters
  • Blackpink performing on stage during the Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards in January 2019. Getty Images
    Blackpink performing on stage during the Gaon Chart K-Pop Awards in January 2019. Getty Images
  • Blackpink performing at Coachella in Indio, California, in April 2019. Getty Images
    Blackpink performing at Coachella in Indio, California, in April 2019. Getty Images

Culture

Music & On-stage

Blackpink in Abu Dhabi: ticket sales date postponed for Etihad Park concert

The four-member girl group are set to bring their Born Pink world tour to the UAE capital in January

Evelyn Lau
Evelyn Lau

November 02, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Blackpink are coming to Etihad Park.

The popular K-pop girl group, made up of Jisoo, Jennie, Rose and Lisa, announced in August they would be bringing their Born Pink world tour to Abu Dhabi on January 28, although other details for the show were not revealed.

The venue has now been announced as well as ticketing information for the gig.

Ticketing sales have been pushed back a week from their original dates. This means that pre-sale tickets will now go on sale on Tuesday for those who have a Blink membership, while Live Nation pre-sale in the UAE will be on November 10, and general ticket sale starts on November 11.

In order to get a Blink membership, fans will need to register through the WeVerse website.

“K-pop has seen a huge rise in popularity in recent years and Blackpink have been at the forefront of this movement, being one of the most famous groups globally,” said James Craven, president of Live Nation Middle East.

“Live Nation are delighted to be able to bring this iconic group to the UAE for the very first time and fans will witness an incredible live show on January 28. Boasting a huge collection of smash hit songs, it promises to be one of the best nights of the year for the Abu Dhabi live music scene.”

Last month, the group released their second album, Born Pink, which reached No 1 on the UK Albums Chart and Billboard 200. It marked the first time a Korean girl group had ever topped the Billboard 200, with Blackpink becoming the first female group to do so since Danity Kane in 2008. In less than two days, Born Pink sold more than 2.2 million copies, becoming the bestselling album by a girl group in South Korea.

The group made their debut in August 2016 with the single Square One. Since stepping on to the music scene, the band have had the honour of being the highest-charting female Korean act on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No 13 with 2020's Ice Cream. They also reached No 2 on the Billboard 200 with smash-hit first album The Album, which was released in the same year.

Scroll the gallery below to see the best concerts and events coming to Abu Dhabi, from Post Malone to Blackpink

  • Comedian Mo Amer will play his biggest UAE show yet in Abu Dhabi in March. Getty Images
    Comedian Mo Amer will play his biggest UAE show yet in Abu Dhabi in March. Getty Images
  • Bollywood film producer and director Karan Johar will co-host the International Indian Film Academy Rocks event in February. AFP
    Bollywood film producer and director Karan Johar will co-host the International Indian Film Academy Rocks event in February. AFP
  • British singer-songwriter Sting will play his hits in Abu Dhabi in January. AFP
    British singer-songwriter Sting will play his hits in Abu Dhabi in January. AFP
  • Junk Kouture aims to engage and inspire young designers to create works from rubbish around them. A fashion show will take place in Abu Dhabi in January. Photo: Junk Kouture
    Junk Kouture aims to engage and inspire young designers to create works from rubbish around them. A fashion show will take place in Abu Dhabi in January. Photo: Junk Kouture
  • The musician Shujaat Khan will perform at the Cultural Foundation in December. Photo: Saffron Media
    The musician Shujaat Khan will perform at the Cultural Foundation in December. Photo: Saffron Media
  • Le Trio Joubran are at the Cultural Foundation in December. Photo: Youness Hamiddine
    Le Trio Joubran are at the Cultural Foundation in December. Photo: Youness Hamiddine
  • Yemeni-Emirati singer Balqees Fathi will perform at Al Jahili Fort, Al Ain, in December. AFP
    Yemeni-Emirati singer Balqees Fathi will perform at Al Jahili Fort, Al Ain, in December. AFP
  • Emirati singer Hussain Jassmi will perform a National Day concert in Abu Dhabi. Satish Kumar / The National
    Emirati singer Hussain Jassmi will perform a National Day concert in Abu Dhabi. Satish Kumar / The National
  • K-pop group Blackpink bring their Born Pink world tour to Abu Dhabi in January. Getty Images
    K-pop group Blackpink bring their Born Pink world tour to Abu Dhabi in January. Getty Images
  • Award-winning, Nigerian-Romanian will perform in the UAE as part of Abu Dhabi Classics. Photo: DCT Abu Dhabi
    Award-winning, Nigerian-Romanian will perform in the UAE as part of Abu Dhabi Classics. Photo: DCT Abu Dhabi
  • The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra will be performing their Gala Concert in December. Photo: Abu Dhabi Classics
    The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra will be performing their Gala Concert in December. Photo: Abu Dhabi Classics
  • Post Malone will perform at Etihad Park on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi in December. AP
    Post Malone will perform at Etihad Park on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi in December. AP
  • Imagine Dragons will perform at Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena on January 26, 2023. Photo: Eric Ray Davidson
    Imagine Dragons will perform at Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena on January 26, 2023. Photo: Eric Ray Davidson
  • The Lion King will be on stage at Etihad Arena throughout December. Photo: Disney
    The Lion King will be on stage at Etihad Arena throughout December. Photo: Disney
  • An installation by artist Daniel Popper as part of the last Mother of the Nation Festival. The event returns to the Corniche later this year. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    An installation by artist Daniel Popper as part of the last Mother of the Nation Festival. The event returns to the Corniche later this year. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • British comedian Jimmy Carr will take to the Etihad Arena stage in January. Getty Images
    British comedian Jimmy Carr will take to the Etihad Arena stage in January. Getty Images
  • Scottish stand-up comedian Kevin Bridges will perform at Etihad Arena in January. Getty Images
    Scottish stand-up comedian Kevin Bridges will perform at Etihad Arena in January. Getty Images

A version of this story was originally published on October 28, 2022

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

Classification of skills

A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation. 

A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.

The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000. 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Updated: November 02, 2022, 8:01 AM
K-popAbu Dhabi