Hasib Khan is the founder and chief executive of Udrive, a pay-as-you-drive car rental platform.
Born in Kabul and raised in Germany, he moved to Dubai in 2011 from where he ran a large logistics business servicing troops and other international organisations in Afghanistan before launching a UAE car rental firm five years ago.
Mr Khan started his first business as a teenager, following his passion for cars by selling pre-used vehicles online. Now aged 30, he lives in Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai.
How did your upbringing shape your attitude towards money?
My family moved to Germany when I was around one. The war in Afghanistan made us flee, as refugees. My father started to build his own business. He had to start again from zero and was a big inspiration. I was always looking up to him, seeing how he managed, built his businesses and made money. Money was a struggle at the beginning. We had really tough times and always had to think twice when we were buying something. As a child, I received everything I needed, but always saw the pressure was there, someone needed to go and make the money. I was looking to one day start my own thing, to build something independently.
How did you earn your first income?
My father had supermarkets in Hamburg and needed branding, signs. I was designing them on the computer when I was 13. I taught myself the skills, was the technical guy for him, and got my pocket money, €20 to €30 (Dh89-Dh133) a week. That had a big effect on me; I got a task, I was always very motivated to deliver.
My first salaried job was my own. I always had this interest for cars. I sold them on the internet aged 15/16. My dad gave me €5,000 to get my first cars, I bought two and sold them for profit. Then I registered the business under my mum’s name as I was too young, bought cars, sold them … some made no profit or a loss. I realised very early that this world is not only about profit. At 18, I had a big, professional car dealership.
What prompted you to launch Udrive?
I had this huge business in Afghanistan and management office in Dubai. I was 23/24 and started a car rental company. It led me to a point where I had almost 100 cars, doing longer-term rentals. One day, one of my employees needed to do stuff, but we didn’t have cars available. I realised how inconvenient car rental was and needed to be digitalised. I thought about options available in Germany – car-sharing companies – and started a conversation with a technology provider. I equipped 35 cars and in March 2016, we registered 2,500 people on the first day.
Can Udrive save people money?
It saves people a lot, either daily or a couple of minutes, whatever you want to use it for. Dubai Marina to the airport … you save more than 50 per cent compared with all other options. When you reach a certain amount in the day, depending on each car, you don’t pay any more and the car is yours for the whole day.
Start-ups is something I like to work on. In business, I am risky
What is your outlook on spending and saving?
I’m a spender. If I have the choice between two jackets, I’d rather take the one with the quality, spend more and work more for it rather than saving by taking the other one. I look for value in everything I do.
How do you save?
I’m very focused on property; apartments in Dubai and in Germany, commercial buildings, apartments and houses. It’s stable, your fortune is safe and it gives some return. I have tried stocks and shares, not had a good experience. I don’t have the patience. Day trading is gambling – you can’t influence it, you just see the facts and numbers and hope for the best.
Are you risk-averse?
I look for security for part of my investments. The other part I like to work with, to try things out. Start-ups is something I like to work on. In business, I am risky. You can only lose if you try, if you don’t try, you have lost already. I wouldn’t say I’ve made bad investments; I paid a lot to learn. That’s not going to end any time in life.
Do you have a philosophy on money?
I don’t make money myself, I solve people’s problems and then I get paid for it. I don’t sell anything. Hard work and dedication, and not giving up is the key to success … and that brings you money.
What I would advise everyone with money is don’t set yourself standards you wouldn’t be able to maintain for too long when you get hit hard one day and can’t live the same way.
Are you wealthy?
Compare me with Jeff Bezos and I would say I’m very poor. But compare me with someone in Afghanistan who works with his trolley on the streets, ‘yeah, I’m wealthy’. Someone else always has more. I don’t really pay too much attention to it. It’s more important that I’m comfortable and can afford the standards I’ve set for myself.
I’m not motivated by money. I never look at how much I own or what my fortune is. I’m motivated by building big things, big teams and sharing the success with people around me. I love to see people earning money through businesses I have.
What do you enjoy spending money on?
I really love food. I’m not talking about expensive stuff, just going wherever you can get a great taste. I’m also into shoes … I have a shoe problem.
What I wish for that I haven’t done for 10 years is proper vacations, switching off the mobile.
How has the pandemic impacted Udrive?
We’ve had negative moments last year … when the pandemic hit, we’ve been hit very hard, had almost two months of not operating. I had to take an uncomfortable decision to let people go for the first time.
Now we’re trying out new fleets, new solutions, going to new markets in Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
Have you experienced a key financial moment?
I won the tender for a $190 million transportation contract for food stuff and equipment with the US Army between 2014 and 2015. It took me more than 800 pages to prepare. A couple of months later, (then US President) Barack Obama announced he was withdrawing troops and the entire contract went boom. I don’t take anything for granted. The moment you put something between your teeth, it doesn’t mean you’ve eaten it.
Do you plan for retirement?
I’d be very bored if I’m not working on something that I believe in. I don’t have a proper retirement plan where I wouldn’t be working anymore. I enjoy what I’m doing, I have fun, so do I want to retire from having fun?
The pandemic has shown the effect of circumstances you cannot control, how hard they can hit you, so diversification and a well-placed fund is something I look forward to building over the next 10 years.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
World record transfers
1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
THE SPECS
Range Rover Sport Autobiography Dynamic
Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 518bhp
Torque: 625Nm
Speed: 0-100kmh 5.3 seconds
Price: Dh633,435
On sale: now
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
ICC T20 Rankings
1. India - 270 ranking points
2. England - 265 points
3. Pakistan - 261 points
4. South Africa - 253 points
5. Australia - 251 points
6. New Zealand - 250 points
7. West Indies - 240 points
8. Bangladesh - 233 points
9. Sri Lanka - 230 points
10. Afghanistan - 226 points
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
If you go
The Flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Johannesburg from Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively. Economy return tickets cost from Dh2,650, including taxes.
The trip
Worldwide Motorhoming Holidays (worldwidemotorhomingholidays.co.uk) operates fly-drive motorhome holidays in eight destinations, including South Africa. Its 14-day Kruger and the Battlefields itinerary starts from Dh17,500, including campgrounds, excursions, unit hire and flights. Bobo Campers has a range of RVs for hire, including the 4-berth Discoverer 4 from Dh600 per day.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Key changes
Commission caps
For life insurance products with a savings component, Peter Hodgins of Clyde & Co said different caps apply to the saving and protection elements:
• For the saving component, a cap of 4.5 per cent of the annualised premium per year (which may not exceed 90 per cent of the annualised premium over the policy term).
• On the protection component, there is a cap of 10 per cent of the annualised premium per year (which may not exceed 160 per cent of the annualised premium over the policy term).
• Indemnity commission, the amount of commission that can be advanced to a product salesperson, can be 50 per cent of the annualised premium for the first year or 50 per cent of the total commissions on the policy calculated.
• The remaining commission after deduction of the indemnity commission is paid equally over the premium payment term.
• For pure protection products, which only offer a life insurance component, the maximum commission will be 10 per cent of the annualised premium multiplied by the length of the policy in years.
Disclosure
Customers must now be provided with a full illustration of the product they are buying to ensure they understand the potential returns on savings products as well as the effects of any charges. There is also a “free-look” period of 30 days, where insurers must provide a full refund if the buyer wishes to cancel the policy.
“The illustration should provide for at least two scenarios to illustrate the performance of the product,” said Mr Hodgins. “All illustrations are required to be signed by the customer.”
Another illustration must outline surrender charges to ensure they understand the costs of exiting a fixed-term product early.
Illustrations must also be kept updatedand insurers must provide information on the top five investment funds available annually, including at least five years' performance data.
“This may be segregated based on the risk appetite of the customer (in which case, the top five funds for each segment must be provided),” said Mr Hodgins.
Product providers must also disclose the ratio of protection benefit to savings benefits. If a protection benefit ratio is less than 10 per cent "the product must carry a warning stating that it has limited or no protection benefit" Mr Hodgins added.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
Engine: 80 kWh four-wheel-drive
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 402bhp
Torque: 760Nm
Price: From Dh280,000
The%20specs
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Veil (Object Lessons)
Rafia Zakaria
Bloomsbury Academic
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlmouneer%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202017%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dr%20Noha%20Khater%20and%20Rania%20Kadry%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEgypt%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E120%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBootstrapped%2C%20with%20support%20from%20Insead%20and%20Egyptian%20government%2C%20seed%20round%20of%20%3Cbr%3E%243.6%20million%20led%20by%20Global%20Ventures%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How to vote
Canadians living in the UAE can register to vote online and be added to the International Register of Electors.
They'll then be sent a special ballot voting kit by mail either to their address, the Consulate General of Canada to the UAE in Dubai or The Embassy of Canada in Abu Dhabi
Registered voters mark the ballot with their choice and must send it back by 6pm Eastern time on October 21 (2am next Friday)
