Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Sabah has approved a new government under Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Sabah Al Salem made up of 13 ministers.
The new government announcement on Wednesday includes three ministers from the outgoing government under former prime minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al Sabah.
The incoming cabinet includes only one female minister, Noura Al Mashaan, who was named in a dual role as Minister of Public Works and Minister of State for Municipal Affairs.
Abdullah Al Yahya, who was Kuwait’s ambassador to Argentina since 2018, was appointed Foreign Minister. He is the first Kuwaiti foreign minister not to be a member of the ruling Al Sabah family.
Dr Emad Al Ateeqi, who served as a member of Kuwait’s Supreme Petroleum Council, was named Oil Minister.
The new Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed, formerly served as foreign minister and deputy prime minister, but resigned from both roles in 2011, citing his commitment to anti-corruption, and has been out of politics for more than a decade.
Who is in Kuwait's new Cabinet?
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Acting Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahd Al Yousef
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Oil, Dr Emad Al Ateeqi
Minister of Information and Culture, Abdulrahman Al Mutairi
Minister of Health, Dr Ahmed Al Awadi
Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs, and Acting Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Feras Al Sabah
Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment, Anwar Al Mudhaf
Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy and Minister of State for Housing Affairs, Salem Al Hajraf
Minister of State for National Assembly Affairs, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, and Minister of State for Communications Affairs, Dawoud Marafi
Minister of Education, Higher Education and Scientific Research, Adel Al Adwani
Minister of Trade and Industry, Abdullah Al Joaan
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdullah Al Yahya
Minister of Justice and Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Faisal Al Ghareeb
Minister of Public Works and Minister of State for Municipal Affairs, Noura Al Mashaan
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
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
MATCH INFO
New Zealand 176-8 (20 ovs)
England 155 (19.5 ovs)
New Zealand win by 21 runs
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SWEET%20TOOTH
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Gulf rugby
Who’s won what so far in 2018/19
Western Clubs Champions League: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens: Dubai Hurricanes
West Asia Premiership: Bahrain
What’s left
UAE Conference
March 22, play-offs:
Dubai Hurricanes II v Al Ain Amblers, Jebel Ali Dragons II v Dubai Tigers
March 29, final
UAE Premiership
March 22, play-offs:
Dubai Exiles v Jebel Ali Dragons, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Hurricanes
March 29, final
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
Fixtures (all in UAE time)
Friday
Everton v Burnley 11pm
Saturday
Bournemouth v Tottenham Hotspur 3.30pm
West Ham United v Southampton 6pm
Wolves v Fulham 6pm
Cardiff City v Crystal Palace 8.30pm
Newcastle United v Liverpool 10.45pm
Sunday
Chelsea v Watford 5pm
Huddersfield v Manchester United 5pm
Arsenal v Brighton 7.30pm
Monday
Manchester City v Leicester City 11pm
