Egyptian billionaire Nassef Sawiris is Egypt's richest person with a net worth of $7.6 billion. Bloomberg
Egyptian billionaire Nassef Sawiris is Egypt's richest person with a net worth of $7.6 billion. Bloomberg
Egyptian billionaire Nassef Sawiris is Egypt's richest person with a net worth of $7.6 billion. Bloomberg
Egyptian billionaire Nassef Sawiris is Egypt's richest person with a net worth of $7.6 billion. Bloomberg

Egyptian billionaire Nassef Sawiris to move family office to Abu Dhabi


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Nassef Sawiris, Egypt's wealthiest person, is moving his family office to Abu Dhabi, joining a wave of prominent investors who have set up operations in the emirate.

The Egyptian billionaire, the younger brother of Naguib Sawiris, intends to redomicile his NNS Group in the Abu Dhabi Global Market, subject to regulatory approval.

From there, NNS Group aims to build significant stakes in a concentrated number of companies, primarily in Europe, the Middle East and North America, the company said.

Mr Sawiris has a net worth of about $7.6 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. He has invested in German sporting-goods maker adidas, as well as English football club Aston Villa.

The move by Mr Sawiris underscores his embrace of Abu Dhabi. Dutch chemical producer OCI NV, where Mr Sawiris is chairman, listed its joint fertiliser venture with Adnoc in the emirate in late 2021.

It also comes as investing titans from Ray Dalio to Alan Howard plan to set up offices in the capital city.

“I am delighted to announce our long-term commitment to the UAE and ADGM, in particular,” Mr Sawiris said.

“The importance of the UAE to the worldwide financial ecosystem makes NNS believe the transition of its key activities to the UAE will contribute to the further development and growth of its portfolio and core activities.”

Mr Sawiris will continue to be executive chairman of the NNS Group after the move.

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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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Updated: December 05, 2023, 11:54 AM