Chocolate lovers can rejoice as the first Salon du Chocolat et de la Patisserie in the UAE is taking place at Le Gourmet, Galeries Lafayette in The Dubai Mall.
The three-day event runs until Saturday and is dedicated to those who share a passion for chocolate and everything associated with it.
Visitors will be able to meet more than 50 exhibitors and watch over more than 30 pastry chefs in action. Special events taking place include a fashion show, in collaboration with Esmod Dubai; a pastry show with workshops; and the choco demo, a space to mingle with influencers and food bloggers.
There is also an area for children to get creative with chocolate, while amateurs can compete in three competitions over the course of the event.
“All the chocolate art and sculptures have been specially created for the show by world-class French Tunisian artist Idriss B,” said Maha El Khoury, projects and sales director at Hospitality Services.
She says there is plenty to do such as exploring stands, sampling and buying chocolate, and attending special workshops and masterclasses with renowned chefs. “We are expecting several thousand attendees over the coming days. There really is something for everyone,” she said.
Established in Paris in 1994, the exhibition has become a favourite with chocolate enthusiasts, with events taking place in New York, Tokyo, London, Brussels, Cologne, Lyon, Moscow, Shanghai, Marseille, Zurich, Cannes, Bordeaux, Monaco, Milano, Hong Kong, Beirut and many other cities.
After the success of Salon du Chocolat Beirut, which was established in 2014 by Hospitality Services, Dubai has become the second city in the Middle East and the 13th in the world to host this chocolate extravaganza.
In addition to Dubai, Salon du Chocolat will be debuting in Riyadh later this year. More details of the event, set to take place in November, will be announced soon.
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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