• Team members gather at designated tents during the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival 2022 at the Waterfront Market in Deira. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Team members gather at designated tents during the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival 2022 at the Waterfront Market in Deira. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • The Waterfront Market team ready to race.
    The Waterfront Market team ready to race.
  • The Hong Kong Economic Trade Office team.
    The Hong Kong Economic Trade Office team.
  • The Hong Kong Economic Trade Office team in action.
    The Hong Kong Economic Trade Office team in action.
  • The Hong Kong Economic Trade Office team, centre, race against Waterfront Market, DP World 2 and Cortex at the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival.
    The Hong Kong Economic Trade Office team, centre, race against Waterfront Market, DP World 2 and Cortex at the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival.
  • Dragon boat racing originated 2,500 years ago in China.
    Dragon boat racing originated 2,500 years ago in China.
  • The teams were divided into five race categories: open, mixed, women, corporate and community.
    The teams were divided into five race categories: open, mixed, women, corporate and community.
  • The Waterfront Market team celebrate at the finish point.
    The Waterfront Market team celebrate at the finish point.
  • More than 60 teams took part in 200-metre-races during the two-day event.
    More than 60 teams took part in 200-metre-races during the two-day event.
  • Crowds were able to cheer on teams throughout the day from the market’s promenade.
    Crowds were able to cheer on teams throughout the day from the market’s promenade.
  • DP World 2 in action at the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival.
    DP World 2 in action at the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival.

Lifestyle

Things to do

Hong Kong Boat Festival takes place at the Waterfront Market in Deira

Dragon boat enthusiasts made their way to the popular souq for a two-day event

Evelyn Lau
Evelyn Lau

October 09, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Participants and fans of dragon boat racing made their way to the Waterfront Market in Deira as it hosted the first Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival at the weekend.

More than 60 teams took part in 200-metres-races during the two-day event where crowds were able to cheer on teams throughout the day from the market’s promenade. The teams were divided into five race categories: open, mixed, women, corporate and community.

The event is hosted by Siren Dragon Boat, which also have a number of other activities throughout the year.

Dragon boat racing originated 2,500 years ago in China. Dragons, alongside the sun, are traditionally revered in Chinese culture and dragon boat races are meant to pay homage to these ancient beliefs.

The event was sponsored by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai.

The bustling market, one of Dubai’s most popular souqs, is home to hundreds of vendors. It opened in 2017, having taken over from Deira’s famed Fish Market. The new sprawling site is a covered market with air-conditioning.

As well as being one of the largest fish markets in the Gulf, with about 400 vendors selling their fresh catches every single day, the market is home to a fruit and vegetables market, a meat market, and a spice and dry food market.

Click below to see images from the Dragon Boat Festival in Abu Dhabi

  • A dragonboat team paddles with the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in the backdrop. All photos by Leslie Pableo for The National
    A dragonboat team paddles with the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in the backdrop. All photos by Leslie Pableo for The National
  • Teams get into their boats to race at the Dragon Boat Festival in Abu Dhabi.
    Teams get into their boats to race at the Dragon Boat Festival in Abu Dhabi.
  • Dozens of teams took part in the festival.
    Dozens of teams took part in the festival.
  • One of the teams gets ready to race.
    One of the teams gets ready to race.
  • Teams prepare for a programme of racing.
    Teams prepare for a programme of racing.
  • The Emirates Team at the Dragon Boat Festival Abu Dhabi.
    The Emirates Team at the Dragon Boat Festival Abu Dhabi.
  • The Dragon Boat Festival Abu Dhabi takes place in the Between Two Bridges area of the capital. Leslie Pableo for The National
    The Dragon Boat Festival Abu Dhabi takes place in the Between Two Bridges area of the capital. Leslie Pableo for The National
  • High fives as the Emirates team win a race.
    High fives as the Emirates team win a race.
  • A team gives out instructions to his team before a rac.e
    A team gives out instructions to his team before a rac.e
  • Spectators watch in the shade on a warm day in Abu Dhabi.
    Spectators watch in the shade on a warm day in Abu Dhabi.
  • Two participants warm-up before the race.
    Two participants warm-up before the race.
  • Time for a group photo.
    Time for a group photo.
  • Teams prepare for the big race.
    Teams prepare for the big race.
  • Out on the water.
    Out on the water.
  • A man congratulates a team after they finished their race.
    A man congratulates a team after they finished their race.
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Name: Peter Dicce

Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics

Favourite sport: soccer

Favourite team: Bayern Munich

Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer

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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

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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. 

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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

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Schedule
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Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.

It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.

Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.

After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.

Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.

The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.

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Japan: Matera Sky/Hideyuki Mori, KT Brace/Haruki Sugiyama. Bahrain: Nine Below Zero/Fawzi Nass. Ireland: Tato Key/David Marnane. Hong Kong: Fight Hero/Me Tsui. South Korea: Dolkong/Simon Foster.

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1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

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SM Town Live is on Friday, April 6 at Autism Rocks Arena, Dubai. Tickets are Dh375 at www.platinumlist.net

Updated: October 09, 2022, 2:14 PM
Dubai