Visitors at the RAK properties stand looking at the model of Mina Al Arab project in Ras Al Khaimah on the first day of Cityscape Global held at Dubai Exhibition Centre in Dubai on Tuesday. Pawan Singh/The National.
Visitors at the RAK properties stand looking at the model of Mina Al Arab project in Ras Al Khaimah on the first day of Cityscape Global held at Dubai Exhibition Centre in Dubai on Tuesday. Pawan Singh/The National.
Visitors at the RAK properties stand looking at the model of Mina Al Arab project in Ras Al Khaimah on the first day of Cityscape Global held at Dubai Exhibition Centre in Dubai on Tuesday. Pawan Singh/The National.
Visitors at the RAK properties stand looking at the model of Mina Al Arab project in Ras Al Khaimah on the first day of Cityscape Global held at Dubai Exhibition Centre in Dubai on Tuesday. Pawan Sing

Cityscape 2021: RAK Properties bullish about growth as demand picks up


Fareed Rahman
  • English
  • Arabic

RAK Properties is aiming for Dh500 million ($136.1m) in sales by the end of this year and plans to launch a number of residential projects in 2022 to boost its property portfolio as it registers higher demand from buyers.

The Abu Dhabi-listed company will start new projects at its Dh10 billion Mina Al Arab master development in Ras Al Khaimah, according to its acting chief executive Mohammed Al Tair. The mega-project is being constructed in different phases and is expected to be completed within five to seven years.

“The new projects will have 500 to 600 apartments as well as 100 additional villas,” Mr Al Tair said.

Other developers including Arada as well as Sobha Realty also announced plans to launch new projects on the back of higher demand from buyers. Sobha is looking to start a $4bn master development at MBR City in Dubai next year, while Sharjah developer Arada is launching five projects at its Aljada development in the emirate in 2020.

“We feel that the market in the UAE is coming back after Covid-19. It is growing solidly and there is big potential for the growth of the sector in Ras Al Khaimah,” Mr Al Tair said.

Mohammed Al Tair, acting chief executive of RAK Properties. Pawan Singh/The National. Fareed
Mohammed Al Tair, acting chief executive of RAK Properties. Pawan Singh/The National. Fareed

New initiatives from the UAE government including the expansion of the 10-year golden visa scheme are helping the property market to recover.

The property sector will “become more and more solid next year” amid broader economic recovery, he said.

RAK Properties achieved Dh420m in sales at the end of the third quarter.

The InterContinental Mina Al Arab Resort and Hotel – which the company is developing – will begin operations by the end of this year, while the Anantara Mina Al Arab Hotel and Resort will open in 2022.

The company is also accelerating work on the final stages of the Marbella Villas project in Mina Al Arab, which includes 205 villas and town houses.

The Julphar Residence project on Reem Island in Abu Dhabi, which includes 266 apartments, will also be delivered to customers this year, Mr Al Tair said.

“We have customers from 80 countries investing in our property and we expect the demand to continue to increase next year.”

The real estate market in Ras Al Khaimah is being driven by end-users and investors, “who want to invest and own the property”, he said.

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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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

THE DETAILS

Director: Milan Jhaveri
Producer: Emmay Entertainment and T-Series
Cast: John Abraham, Manoj Bajpayee
Rating: 2/5

German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

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Updated: November 10, 2021, 2:48 PM