International Holding Company, the UAE's most-valuable listed company, will invest Dh1.4 billion ($381 million) in the follow-on share sale floated by Indian billionaire Gautam Adani’s flagship business last week.
The investment in Adani Enterprises' $2.5 billion further public offering (FPO) is IHC's first this year and part of the Abu Dhabi conglomerate's efforts to scale up and diversify its investments globally, it said on Monday.
The investment will be made through the group's subsidiary, Green Transmission Investment Holding.
“For the past three years, India has been a key investment destination for IHC," Syed Shueb, chief executive of IHC, told The National on Monday. "It is a large market that presents opportunities with monetary economic stability.
"Our trust in the Indian regulatory body for securities markets makes India an attractive destination for IHC."
IHC will be eyeing more acquisitions throughout this year, focusing on fast-growing economies, rapidly expanding equity markets and top investment destinations, it said.
It aims to increase its global acquisition by 70 per cent by the end of the year, with the clean energy and food processing sectors being a key focus. It will seek opportunities in Europe, Africa, Asia and South America, the company said.
"We are watching the international market closely for new prospects and we will continue exploring further opportunities outside our traditional market in 2023," Mr Shueb said.
IHC's investment comes as Adani Group is embroiled in a controversy after US investor Hindenburg Research last week said it was shorting the conglomerate's stocks.
In a January 24 report, Hindenburg accused companies controlled by Mr Adani, Asia’s richest man, of being involved in "brazen" market manipulation and accounting fraud.
Shares of the companies under the Adani Group umbrella plummeted as a result, with losses continuing on Monday. Companies in the conglomerate have lost a combined $68 billion in market capitalisation since Wednesday.
Late on Sunday, Adani Group fired back at Hindenburg, saying in a 413-page response that it had complied with all local laws and had made the necessary regulatory disclosures.
IHC on Thursday announced its interest to bid for the Adani Group's follow-on sale of shares, which began on Friday and runs until Tuesday.
"Our business decisions are purely based on an analysis of objective facts, aided by the use of business intelligence and our analytics tools, which help us to achieve the maximum benefits for our shareholders under the corporate governance regulation," Ahmad Ibrahim, IHC's head of marketing and corporate communication, told The National last week.
Monday's announcement is the second deal that IHC has forged with Adani Group after last year's Dh7.3 billion investment in three green-focused companies of the Indian conglomerate.
"The advantage of the [Adani] FPO is the historical reference for the company's earnings report, management, business practices and much data to bank on before making any investment decision," Mr Shueb said in the statement.
We are watching the international market closely for new prospects and we will continue exploring further opportunities outside our traditional market in 2023
Syed Shueb,
chief executive of International Holding Company
“Our interest in Adani Group is driven by our confidence and belief in the fundamentals of Adani Enterprises; we see strong potential for growth from a long-term perspective and added value to our shareholders."
IHC was founded in 1998 as part of a move to diversify and develop non-oil business sectors in the UAE. The company had a market value of more than Dh878.5 billion at the close of trading on Monday.
In November, the company reported it had tripled its net profit to more than Dh6.4 billion in the third quarter of last year, while revenue grew by about 48 per cent to Dh12.4 billion.
In October, IHC made a foray into the South American market with a Dh734 million investment in Lulo Colombia, the holding company of Colombia’s first regulated digital bank, in which it acquired a 49.99 per cent stake.
IHC also boosted its portfolio by acquiring a 54 per cent stake in Abu Dhabi ICT provider Emircom for Dh250 million, and a 15 per cent stake in healthcare services provider Burjeel Holdings.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.5-litre%20V12%20and%20three%20electric%20motors%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C015hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C500Nm%20(estimate)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Eight-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Early%202024%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh2%20million%20(estimate)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Brief scores:
Toss: Nepal, chose to field
UAE 153-6: Shaiman (59), Usman (30); Regmi 2-23
Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17
Result: UAE won by 21 runs
Series: UAE lead 1-0
Honeymoonish
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Elie%20El%20Samaan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENour%20Al%20Ghandour%2C%20Mahmoud%20Boushahri%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO
What: Brazil v South Korea
When: Tonight, 5.30pm
Where: Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae
UAE%20v%20West%20Indies
%3Cp%3EFirst%20ODI%20-%20Sunday%2C%20June%204%20%0D%3Cbr%3ESecond%20ODI%20-%20Tuesday%2C%20June%206%20%0D%3Cbr%3EThird%20ODI%20-%20Friday%2C%20June%209%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EMatches%20at%20Sharjah%20Cricket%20Stadium.%20All%20games%20start%20at%204.30pm%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20squad%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EMuhammad%20Waseem%20(captain)%2C%20Aayan%20Khan%2C%20Adithya%20Shetty%2C%20Ali%20Naseer%2C%20Ansh%20Tandon%2C%20Aryansh%20Sharma%2C%20Asif%20Khan%2C%20Basil%20Hameed%2C%20Ethan%20D%E2%80%99Souza%2C%20Fahad%20Nawaz%2C%20Jonathan%20Figy%2C%20Junaid%20Siddique%2C%20Karthik%20Meiyappan%2C%20Lovepreet%20Singh%2C%20Matiullah%2C%20Mohammed%20Faraazuddin%2C%20Muhammad%20Jawadullah%2C%20Rameez%20Shahzad%2C%20Rohan%20Mustafa%2C%20Sanchit%20Sharma%2C%20Vriitya%20Aravind%2C%20Zahoor%20Khan%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
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 Sky is Everywhere'
Director:Josephine Decker
Stars:Grace Kaufman, Pico Alexander, Jacques Colimon
Rating:2/5
MATCH INFO
Kolkata Knight Riders 245/6 (20 ovs)
Kings XI Punjab 214/8 (20 ovs)
Kolkata won by 31 runs
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
The specs: 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman
Price, base / as tested Dh222,500 / Dh296,870
Engine 2.0L, flat four-cylinder
Transmission Seven-speed PDK
Power 300hp @ 6,500rpm
Torque 380hp @ 1,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.9L / 100km
