• Reem Mall partially opened in February. All photos: Leslie Pableo for The National
    Reem Mall partially opened in February. All photos: Leslie Pableo for The National
  • A total of 36 shops are already open
    A total of 36 shops are already open
  • Reem Mall has 6,800 parking spaces
    Reem Mall has 6,800 parking spaces
  • One of its much-awaited features is Snow Abu Dhabi, which shares similarities with Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates
    One of its much-awaited features is Snow Abu Dhabi, which shares similarities with Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates
  • Construction of the mall started in late 2017
    Construction of the mall started in late 2017
  • Some of the open stores include Timberland, The North Face, Max and Vans
    Some of the open stores include Timberland, The North Face, Max and Vans
  • Fast food restaurants that are already open include McDonald's, Papa Johns and Subway
    Fast food restaurants that are already open include McDonald's, Papa Johns and Subway
  • Reem Mall is open Sunday to Thursday, from 10am to 10pm, and Friday to Saturday, from 10am to midnight
    Reem Mall is open Sunday to Thursday, from 10am to 10pm, and Friday to Saturday, from 10am to midnight
  • The mall will eventually house about 400 brands
    The mall will eventually house about 400 brands
  • The mall covers an area of nearly 260,000 square metres
    The mall covers an area of nearly 260,000 square metres

Lifestyle

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Inside Reem Mall in Abu Dhabi: Shops, restaurants and attractions to check out

About 36 shops are already operational in the partially open mall

One Carlo Diaz

March 07, 2023

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  • Arabic

Reem Mall in Abu Dhabi has partially opened.

With a construction cost of $1.2 billion and an area of nearly 260,000 square metres, the new mall on Al Reem Island is poised to become a busy lifestyle destination, complete with local and international retailers, as well as dozens of restaurants.

A partially opened Reem Mall on Al Reem Island in Abu Dhabi. Leslie Pableo for The National
A partially opened Reem Mall on Al Reem Island in Abu Dhabi. Leslie Pableo for The National

The mall will eventually house about 400 shops, but only a few are operational as of writing. These include Timberland, The North Face, Max, Vans as well as Carrefour hypermarket. Some of the fast food restaurants and cafes that are welcoming diners include McDonald's, Papa Johns, Subway, plus Tim Hortons and Caribou Coffee kiosks.

The mall has a car park with 6,800 spaces.

The mall had its soft opening on February 16 and a total of 36 shops are already open for business, it has been confirmed to The National. Vox Cinemas is also open and screening films.

One of the most eagerly anticipated attractions at Reem Mall is Snow Abu Dhabi, a sub-zero snow and ice park which, like Ski Dubai, is operated by Majid Al Futtaim.

A rendering of Snow Abu Dhabi in Reem Mall
A rendering of Snow Abu Dhabi in Reem Mall

The indoor park features 12 rides and 17 attractions spread across almost 1,000 square metres. It maintains a temperature of -2ºC. The attractions include two giant slides called Ice and Floes Toboggan Race and Grauppel’s Summit Escape.

Snow Abu Dhabi rides include The Entry Plaza, Flight of the Snowy Owl, Magic Carpet, Polar Express Train and the Crystal Carousel. There will also be restaurants inside the park, including The Lodge Restaurant, Ice Cafe and the Grotto Amphitheatre.

The mall has not yet confirmed the opening date of Snow Abu Dhabi.

Reem Mall is open Sunday to Thursday, 10am-10pm, and Friday and Saturday, 10am-midnight

On Women's Day
UK's plans to cut net migration

Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.

Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.

But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.

Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.

Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.

The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.

Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

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

Updated: March 07, 2023, 4:41 AM
Abu Dhabi