Administrators of NMC Health have secured enough support from creditors for a financial restructuring of the business, which will wipe out some of its debt. Ravindranath K / The National
Administrators of NMC Health have secured enough support from creditors for a financial restructuring of the business, which will wipe out some of its debt. Ravindranath K / The National
Administrators of NMC Health have secured enough support from creditors for a financial restructuring of the business, which will wipe out some of its debt. Ravindranath K / The National
Administrators of NMC Health have secured enough support from creditors for a financial restructuring of the business, which will wipe out some of its debt. Ravindranath K / The National

NMC's administrators set for new round of hearings in dispute with Dubai Islamic Bank


Michael Fahy
  • English
  • Arabic

Alvarez & Marsal, the administrator of the UAE's biggest healthcare operator NMC Healthcare, secured a stay late on Thursday evening against an earlier ruling where its bid to reclaim power over securities held by Dubai Islamic Bank failed.

Administrators had brought a claim through the Abu Dhabi Global Market Courts, where NMC Healthcare and its 35 associated companies were placed into administration last year.

However, Dubai Islamic Bank, which declared an exposure of $425 million to NMC Health at the time of its collapse, successfully challenged the court's jurisdiction on Monday.

Administrators then secured a ruling on Thursday allowing them time to amend the claims it will pursue against DIB.

"We look forward to the further hearing on this matter, due to take place at the end of June", a statement on NMC Health's investor relations page said on Thursday.

NMC Health, which was listed on the London Stock Exchange, was placed into administration in April last year after an independent investigation uncovered more than $4.4bn of previously-undeclared debt at the company. Its UAE arm, NMC Healthcare, was placed into administration in the ADGM Courts in September after a number of claims were filed against it in UAE courts.

Alvarez & Marsal sought power over securities held by DIB relating to insurance payments pledged as collateral against loans. However, DIB's lawyers had successfully challenged the ADGM's jurisdiction to hear the case.

"The judgement is positive and has substantially accepted DIB's submission that ADGM Court had no jurisdiction to entertain" the administrator's claim over its security interests, DIB said in a statement to the Dubai Financial Market on Thursday.

The lender said it "would be premature to comment further" as legal proceedings were continuing in the ADGM Court, and in the onshore Dubai and Sharjah courts.

Alvarez & Marsal said the ADGM Courts judgement handed down on Monday had "made clear that the joint administrators can proceed with their ADGM claim against DIB in relation to issues concerning their remuneration and expenses, and also proceed against the insurers" with a claim.

Administrators are continuing to drum up creditor support for a lender-led restructuring of NMC Health, which would see about $4bn worth of its debts being wiped out.

They are also continuing to pursue legal action against the company's former auditors and its directors with a view to recovering some of the missing money.

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

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How to register as a donor

1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention

2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants

3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register. 

4) The campaign uses the hashtag  #donate_hope

The Pope's itinerary

Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport


Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial


Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport

Sui Dhaaga: Made in India

Director: Sharat Katariya

Starring: Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma, Raghubir Yadav

3.5/5

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

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If you go

The flights

The closest international airport for those travelling from the UAE is Denver, Colorado. British Airways (www.ba.com) flies from the UAE via London from Dh3,700 return, including taxes. From there, transfers can be arranged to the ranch or it’s a seven-hour drive. Alternatively, take an internal flight to the counties of Cody, Casper, or Billings

The stay

Red Reflet offers a series of packages, with prices varying depending on season. All meals and activities are included, with prices starting from US$2,218 (Dh7,150) per person for a minimum stay of three nights, including taxes. For more information, visit red-reflet-ranch.net.

 

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David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4

Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Match info

Liverpool 4
Salah (19'), Mane (45 2', 53'), Sturridge (87')

West Ham United 0