Sharjah Investment and Development Authority and world champion scooter rider Dakota Schuetz have partnered to bring Kota Skatepark to the emirate. Photo: Shurooq
Sharjah Investment and Development Authority and world champion scooter rider Dakota Schuetz have partnered to bring Kota Skatepark to the emirate. Photo: Shurooq
Sharjah Investment and Development Authority and world champion scooter rider Dakota Schuetz have partnered to bring Kota Skatepark to the emirate. Photo: Shurooq
Sharjah Investment and Development Authority and world champion scooter rider Dakota Schuetz have partnered to bring Kota Skatepark to the emirate. Photo: Shurooq

Sharjah to open pro skatepark at Al Hira Beach with scooter champion Dakota Schuetz


Evelyn Lau
  • English
  • Arabic

A new skatepark is coming to Sharjah’s soon-to-open Al Hira Beach, as part of a partnership between the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority or Shurooq, and world champion scooter rider Dakota Schuetz.

The beach destination is scheduled for completion in the first three months of 2022 and will also see Schuetz bring his design concept for the “perfect pro skatepark” that offers accessibility for all types of skaters, extreme sports enthusiasts and children of all ages.

A rendering of what Kota Skatepark will look like. Photo: Shurooq
A rendering of what Kota Skatepark will look like. Photo: Shurooq

“I am truly excited to collaborate with Shurooq on the Kota Skatepark project in Al Hira Beach in Sharjah which will allow people to be active and have fun in a safe environment," said Schuetz.

"We look forward to welcoming visitors and all riders in the UAE to experience the unique design of the skatepark, in addition to the pump track around the outside of the new park, which will be made for kids to race around and have an enjoyable experience.”

Kota Skatepark will feature different ramps for all levels as well as different roller sports such as skateboarding, rollerskating, scootering and BMX. There will also be a special pump track outside the skatepark as a dedicated section for children, complete with safety regulations and measures.

“With the new Kota Skatepark attraction under development, Al Hira Beach is set to become one of the most popular beach destinations in the UAE for visitors and tourists, offering a complete new set of unique beach tourism experiences that contribute to reinforcing Sharjah as a focal destination for investments in the region,” said Khalid Ibrahim Al Qaseer, director of operations at Shurooq.

The Dh87-million beach destination project also includes children’s playgrounds, restaurants and cafes aiming to showcase Sharjah’s position as one of the most family-friendly and environment-friendly tourism destinations.

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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.

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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. 

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Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

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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. 

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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.

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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. 

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Know before you go
  • Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
  • If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
  • By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
  • Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
  • Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.

 

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Updated: January 03, 2022, 9:56 AM