• The 974 Stadium, which will host matches during the World Cup in Qatar. All photos: Getty
    The 974 Stadium, which will host matches during the World Cup in Qatar. All photos: Getty
  • Nine hundred and seventy-four shipping containers have been used in the construction of the 974 Stadium.
    Nine hundred and seventy-four shipping containers have been used in the construction of the 974 Stadium.
  • Seven matches will be played there.
    Seven matches will be played there.
  • The concourse of the 974 Stadium, where shipping containers have been used in the construction.
    The concourse of the 974 Stadium, where shipping containers have been used in the construction.
  • Inside the empty stadium, where the cheers of fans will soon ring out.
    Inside the empty stadium, where the cheers of fans will soon ring out.
  • Ahmad bin Ali Stadium is another Qatar venue for teams to battle it out on the pitch.
    Ahmad bin Ali Stadium is another Qatar venue for teams to battle it out on the pitch.
  • It will also host seven World Cup matches.
    It will also host seven World Cup matches.
  • Seats waiting to be filled with cheering supporters at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Doha.
    Seats waiting to be filled with cheering supporters at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Doha.
  • The Education City Stadium in Qatar.
    The Education City Stadium in Qatar.

Gulf

World Cup 2022 flights: 20,000 fans to fly into Doha daily from the Gulf

Football fans in Saudi Arabia and the UAE will be able to hop on one of 30 round-trip flights each day

Taylor Heyman
Taylor Heyman

May 26, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Qatar Airport will welcome about 20,000 daily visitors from the Gulf to Doha for the World Cup, authorities said.

In a bid to ensure accommodation is available for all ticket holders, Saudia, Kuwait Airways, flydubai and Oman Air will organise more than 160 daily shuttle flights from November 20 to bring supporters on one-day trips to see matches.

Saudia chief executive Ibrahim Koshy said the airline would run at least 30 round-trip flights each day from the cities of Riyadh and Jeddah, with the ability to carry 10,000 fans.

Flydubai is planning at least 30 return flights, Kuwait Airways 10 and Oman Air 24, said Akbar Al Baker, Tourism Minister and Qatar Airways chief executive.

Only those with tickets to matches will be allowed to register for the return flights.

“Like anywhere else, there has always been a shortage of accommodation, so we are not unique. The biggest challenge for us is because everything is happening in one place,” Mr Al Baker said.

He described the first World Cup to be held in the Middle East as a “big cake” that will bring “huge economic benefit”, which Doha aims to share with its Gulf neighbours.

Airport and airspace capacity has been expanded to handle the month during which there will be increased arrivals. Mr Al Baker said some routes to countries not involved in the 32-nation tournament will be halted and others reduced.

Mr Al Baker said Qatar's Hamad International Airport and the older Doha International Airport would see capacity doubled to more than 200,000 people a day to welcome the expected 1.4 million visitors.

He said the three runways at Hamad airport could operate “continuously” during the World Cup and about 70 per cent of Qatar Airways' regular flights would have their times changed so that extra flights can be organised.

The airports would be in charge of handling charter flights and other airlines that have asked to establish regular lines due to the World Cup.

“There will be no room left [for incoming airlines], when you are tailor-making the capacity, for delays, for holding times,” Mr Al Baker warned.

He added that “state of the art immigration systems” would be introduced to speed up the processing of international passengers.

Those who want to stay in Qatar have the option of staying in desert camps in Zafaran, Ras Bu Fontas and Rawdat Al Jahhaniya, with stays starting at $207 for a two-person cabin, or cruise ships moored in Qatar bay in addition to a variety of hotels.

Qatar's desert lodgings — in pictures

  • Cabin-style lodging at Qatar 2022 World Cup fan villages is now available, with prices currently starting at $207 per night. All photos: Qatar Accommodation Agency 2022
    Cabin-style lodging at Qatar 2022 World Cup fan villages is now available, with prices currently starting at $207 per night. All photos: Qatar Accommodation Agency 2022
  • Cabins feature basic kitchen facilities, a bathroom and twin beds or one double.
    Cabins feature basic kitchen facilities, a bathroom and twin beds or one double.
  • The basic lodgings are seen as an affordable alternative to extremely expensive hotels and Airbnb-style room rentals.
    The basic lodgings are seen as an affordable alternative to extremely expensive hotels and Airbnb-style room rentals.
  • The cabins are located in three camps to the south, west and far north of Doha.
    The cabins are located in three camps to the south, west and far north of Doha.
  • World Cup organisers say shuttles will take fans to central Doha and the stadia.
    World Cup organisers say shuttles will take fans to central Doha and the stadia.
  • Other alternatives include cruise-ship cabins, for which prices start at about $350.
    Other alternatives include cruise-ship cabins, for which prices start at about $350.

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
​​​​​​​Penguin Press

CREW
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Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion

The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.

Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".

The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.

He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.

"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.

As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.

Company Profile

Company name: NutriCal

Started: 2019

Founder: Soniya Ashar

Based: Dubai

Industry: Food Technology

Initial investment: Self-funded undisclosed amount

Future plan: Looking to raise fresh capital and expand in Saudi Arabia

Total Clients: Over 50

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

While you're here
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK 

Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV

While you're here
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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Suarez (10'), Messi (52')

Real Madrid 2
Ronaldo (14'), Bale (72')

Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
  • Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
  • Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
  • Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
 
 
Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Bareilly Ki Barfi
Directed by: Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Starring: Kriti Sanon, Ayushmann Khurrana, Rajkummar Rao
Three and a half stars

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

Updated: May 26, 2022, 3:58 PM
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