Your daily guide to community and cultural activities across the Emirates for March 29, 2017, including performances, festivals, art exhibitions, film screenings, health and fitness events, talks, classes, workshops and family fun. Ellen Fortini rounds up 10 things to do today in the UAE.
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Abu Dhabi
Family workshop
Book your spot now to attend the Scents and Sensibility workshop as part of Wednesdays at the Warehouse and based on the Lest We Forget exhibition Emirati Adornment: Tangible and Intangible. Explore the relationship between fragrances and memories as Mona Bassan Haddad and her grandmother demonstrate how to create various forms of perfumes based on family recipes and evoke the cultural memories that fragrances inspire.
April 5, 5pm to 8pm, free, all ages, Warehouse421, Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, register at www.warehouse421.ae
Abu Dhabi
Film screening
Register to attend a screening of the film Welcome to Dongmakgol as part of the Cinema Space series. In 1950, an American fighter plane crash-lands near Dongmakgol, a mountain village in Korea. The wounded pilot is nursed by the villagers, but soon three survivors from a communist army patrol show up, as do two stray soldiers from the southern anti-communist party. They learn to co-exist peacefully, till the Americans come to rescue their pilot, and the real war reaches this small village.
Tonight, 7pm, Korean Cultural Center, twofour54, Khalifa Park, Abu Dhabi, register at cinemaspace-abudhabi.splashthat.com
Abu Dhabi
Grand prix
Get tickets now for the 2017 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and enjoy a discounted price until May 31. Take advantage of the GP Parks Pass for unlimited access to the Yas Island parks – Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Yas Waterworld – and for every three-day adult grandstand ticket, one child under 12 will get free Friday entry to that grandstand, plus free access to the Yas Island parks.
November 24 to 26, from Dh1,120 for three-day Abu Dhabi Hill package until May 31, Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, 800 927, www.yasmarinacircuit.com
Abu Dhabi
Kids’ fun
Plan to take your children to Deerfields Mall, where they can participate in competitions and enjoy live entertainment. There will be Arabic stage shows depicting the stories of Cinderella and Aladdin, where little ones can meet their favourite characters. There will also be a colouring competition every Thursday at 3pm, and 10 children can win gift vouchers from mall retailers.
Daily until April 8, open 10am to 10pm, Cinderella performances on March 31 and April 1; Aladdin performances on April 7 and April 8, shows at 6pm, 7.30pm and 9pm, Deerfields Mall, Abu Dhabi-Dubai Road,
Abu Dhabi
Performance
Register to attend Noche Flamenca's Antigona, a retelling of Sophocles' classic play through flamenco music and dance. In this performance about the hero Antigone, acclaimed dancer Soledad Barrio depicts the battle between a disenfranchised woman and the patriarchy. April 7, 1pm and 8pm, free with registration, Red Theatre, The Arts Center, NYU Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, register at www.nyuad-artscenter.org
Dubai
Art exhibition
The winners of the International Women Photographers Award showcase their works from around the world, with a focus on the Middle East. Pictured: White Bird by Haruri Fuji
Daily until April 8, 9am to 8pm, Saturdays to Wednesdays; 9am to 5pm on Thursdays and Saturdays (closed Fridays), La Galerie, Alliance Française Dubai, Oud Metha, Dubai, 04 335 8712,
Sharjah
Art exhibition
Once Upon a Time: Hadiqat Al Umma, by Iraqi artist Sadik Kwaish Alfraj features a panoramic multimedia video installation reviving the artist's childhood in Baghdad, specifically a park that was a sanctuary from the city and its heat. The park is brought to life through drawings and animation across nine projectors. Pictured: Artwork by Sadik Kwaish Alfraj
Daily until May 6, 10am to 10pm, Saturdays to Thursdays; 4pm to 10pm, Fridays, Maraya Art Centre, Al Qasba, Al Taawun Road, Sharjah, 06 556 6555, www.maraya.ae
Dubai
Film screening
Catch a screening of Zay Ood Al Kabreet (Like a Matchstick), to close the Plaza Cinema film screenings presented by Cinema Akil, which reflects on the cultural impact of the recently demolished Plaza Cinema in Bur Dubai. The 2016 Egyptian comedy is directed by Hussein El Imam, who presents an homage to his father, the director Hassan El Imam, and the golden age of Egyptian cinema.
Today, 7pm, free on a first-come, first-seated basis, The Yard, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz, Dubai, www.cinemaakil.com
Dubai
Yoga class
Take part in free yoga sessions at Marasi Business Bay hosted by Piloga Studio Pilates & Yoga. Rejuvenate on Mondays with Morning Warror, a power workout that sets the pace for the day. On Wednesdays, unwind with relaxing candlelight and essential oils session. Bring your own yoga mat.
Mondays, 7am; Wednesdays, 7pm, free, Marasi Park, next to Volante Building, Marine Boat Station, Marasi Business Bay, Dubai, www.facebook.com/MarasiDP
Dubai
Art exhibition
Visit the exhibition Atelier M, featuring works by UAE-based French artist Myriam Schrive. Curated by Alliance Française Dubai, it comprises a series of works that show the challenges faced by visually impaired people. Pictured: An image by Myrian Schrive
Daily until May 15, open all day, Sofitel Dubai Jumeirah Beach, Dubai, www.afdubai.org
listings@thenational.ae
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
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Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
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.
