• An man works in a wheat field in Banha, Egypt. All photos: EPA
    An man works in a wheat field in Banha, Egypt. All photos: EPA
  • Egypt, the largest importer of wheat in the world, has been forced by the war in Ukraine to rethink its strategy and says it will now rely more on local production of the cereal as a way to reduce its reliance on international purchases in the coming years.
    Egypt, the largest importer of wheat in the world, has been forced by the war in Ukraine to rethink its strategy and says it will now rely more on local production of the cereal as a way to reduce its reliance on international purchases in the coming years.
  • A man holds grains of wheat at the Banha grain silos, in Qalyubia Governorate.
    A man holds grains of wheat at the Banha grain silos, in Qalyubia Governorate.
  • Bread is a staple for most of Egypt's 103 million people.
    Bread is a staple for most of Egypt's 103 million people.
  • Workers unload wheat at the Banha grain silos.
    Workers unload wheat at the Banha grain silos.
  • Local growers have been barred from selling wheat to anyone other than the government until August.
    Local growers have been barred from selling wheat to anyone other than the government until August.
  • Previously, growers who failed to deliver 60 per cent of their wheat harvest to authorities faced penalties.
    Previously, growers who failed to deliver 60 per cent of their wheat harvest to authorities faced penalties.
  • Workers collect wheat at the Banha silos.
    Workers collect wheat at the Banha silos.
  • About 71 million people in the country rely on cheap bread under a state subsidised food card system.
    About 71 million people in the country rely on cheap bread under a state subsidised food card system.
  • Egypt has 44 silos with a total capacity of 3. 1 million tonnes, across its governorates
    Egypt has 44 silos with a total capacity of 3. 1 million tonnes, across its governorates

Egypt changes wheat harvesting strategy due to war in Ukraine - in pictures


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The%20specs
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Our legal consultants

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

What is tokenisation?

Tokenisation refers to the issuance of a blockchain token, which represents a virtually tradable real, tangible asset. A tokenised asset is easily transferable, offers good liquidity, returns and is easily traded on the secondary markets. 

SPECS

Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
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On sale: Now

Key facilities
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Bio

Born in Dibba, Sharjah in 1972.
He is the eldest among 11 brothers and sisters.
He was educated in Sharjah schools and is a graduate of UAE University in Al Ain.
He has written poetry for 30 years and has had work published in local newspapers.
He likes all kinds of adventure movies that relate to his work.
His dream is a safe and preserved environment for all humankind. 
His favourite book is The Quran, and 'Maze of Innovation and Creativity', written by his brother.

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

The specs: 2018 Mazda CX-5

Price, base / as tested: Dh89,000 / Dh130,000
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Power: 188hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 251Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 7.1L / 100km

The Uefa Awards winners

Uefa Men's Player of the Year: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

Uefa Women's Player of the Year: Lucy Bronze (Lyon)

Best players of the 2018/19 Uefa Champions League

Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool)

Defender: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

Midfielder: Frenkie de Jong (Ajax)

Forward: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

Uefa President's Award: Eric Cantona

Updated: June 12, 2023, 10:56 AM