The Opec+ alliance of 23 oil-producing countries is doing its "best" to maintain a healthy balance of supply and demand in the market, the UAE's Minister of Energy and Infrastructure said on Monday.
Suhail Al Mazrouei, who was speaking at Adipec, said the group was monitoring improvements or declines in major export markets and particularly in China, the world's second largest economy and top crude importer.
"Many dynamics are moving on and we hope that the growth in China picks up ... because the whole world economy is dependent on China," Mr Al Mazrouei said.
"My worry is not an undersupplied market in the short term. My worry is an undersupplied market in the longer and mid term."
The minister's comments come ahead of the Opec+ ministerial panel meeting on October 4, where Saudi Arabia and Russia may reassess their voluntary output cuts of 1.3 million barrels per day.
China's post-coronavirus economic recovery has lost momentum mainly due to a deepening property slump and weak consumer spending.
The Asian country has announced a string of stimulus measures over the past few weeks, including halving the stamp duty on stock transactions and easing mortgage rates.
Its oil demand in July grew by 2 million bpd for the third consecutive month, driven by higher demand for transport fuels and continuing recovery in air travel, Opec said in its latest monthly oil market report.
This year’s Adipec comes weeks before the start of the Cop28 summit in November, where countries will assess where they stand with regards to climate goals as part of a process called the global stock take.
The UAE, which is investing heavily in clean energy projects, plans to triple its renewable energy capacity by 2030 to achieve its net-zero goals.
That combined with the planned ramp up at the Barakah nuclear plant will result in the Emirates having a clean energy capacity of 19.5 gigawatts by the end of the decade, Mr Al Mazrouei said.
The UAE is also aiming to double its liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity to meet rising global demand.
"There is a lack of investment worldwide in gas ... as long as there is demand, we have the capacity to produce because we are the world's lowest-cost producer," Mr Al Mazrouei said.
Last month, Adnoc Gas, estimated to have the seventh largest gas reserves globally, signed an agreement to supply LNG worth $450 million to $550 million to a subsidiary of state-owned energy giant PetroChina.
In August, it signed a five-year LNG supply agreement with Japan Petroleum Exploration (Japex), also valued at between $450 million and $550 million.
In July, the Adnoc subsidiary announced a 14-year supply agreement with Indian Oil Corporation, the South Asian country’s largest refiner.
Company%20Profile
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The specS: 2018 Toyota Camry
Price: base / as tested: Dh91,000 / Dh114,000
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 298hp @ 6,600rpm
Torque: 356Nm @ 4,700rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html" charset="UTF-8" /></head><body><!--PSTYLE=* Labels%3aFH Label 18 Sport--><p>Beach soccer</p><!--PSTYLE=BY Byline--><p>Amith Passela</p><p /></body></html>
Results
4.30pm Jebel Jais – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (Turf) 1,000m; Winner: MM Al Balqaa, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Qaiss Aboud (trainer)
5pm: Jabel Faya – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (T) 1,000m; Winner: AF Rasam, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
5.30pm: Al Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Mukhrej, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: The President’s Cup Prep – Conditions (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Mujeeb, Richard Mullen, Salem Al Ketbi
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club – Prestige (PA) Dh125,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Antonio Fresu, Abubakar Daud
7pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Pat Dobbs, Ibrahim Aseel
7.30pm: Jebel Hafeet – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Nibraas, Richard Mullen, Nicholas Bachalard
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