Iraq has an important role to play in the Arab world, Jordan's King Abdullah told the country's new Prime Minister in Amman, after a change of power in Baghdad brought in a more pro-Iranian government.
It was Mohammed Shia Al Sudani's first foreign trip since he took office last month. The king received him at the airport, underlying the importance the two countries have placed on improving ties.
King Abdullah told Mr Al Sudani during talks between the two men that he wished for the Iraqi Prime Minister “to succeed in his missions”, the official Jordanian news agency said.
“The king pointed out the importance of Iraq's role in its Arab surroundings and in the region, affirming that the security of Iraq is a cornerstone of regional security and stability,” the agency said.
“The talks covered the struggles and crisis of the region, as well as the war of terror.”
King Abdullah said co-operation should continue between Jordan, Iraq and Egypt after beginning under Mr Al Sudani's predecessor, Mustafa Al Kadhimi.
Unlike Mr Al Kadhimi, Mr Al Sudani is regarded in Amman and across the region as a close ally of Iran and Shiite groups supported by Tehran.
Relations between Jordan and Iraq have been mostly uneasy since the US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003. This ushered in a Shiite political ascendancy and led to the country falling into what many in the region consider the Iranian orbit.
In 2004, King Abdullah warned that Baghdad and other Arab capitals were becoming part of an ideological “Shiite crescent” beholden to Tehran.
Meanwhile, Iraq accused Jordan of sheltering former Saddam loyalists.
Improving ties
Ties between Jordan and Iraq, as well as between Iraq and Gulf states, improved significantly during former prime minister Haider Al Abadi's term from 2014 to 2018.
Under Mr Al Kadhimi, who took office two years ago in the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Iraqi economy retreated sharply and the dinar came under pressure.
Both former leaders worked closely with the US.
Iraq and Jordan signed many agreements to boost trade and investment, although Jordanian officials privately say their meagre bilateral economic exchange is unlikely to improve without a fundamental shift by Iraq away from Iran.
Jordan has an agreement with Baghdad to supply it with 10,000 barrels of crude oil a day on preferential terms. This accounts for 7 per cent of Jordan's oil imports.
The kingdom is dependent on US and European aid, and has a military pact with Washington.
The oil deal with Iraq dates to 2006, but deliveries were frequently interrupted, either because of political disputes, security issues, price changes or transport problems.
The two countries have also signed number of agreements covering agriculture, trade, mining, investment and electricity.
Last month, the two neighbours laid the cornerstone for an electricity grid interconnection project designed to address Iraq's chronic power shortage.
The project is part of a larger plan to establish a pan-Arab power market by connecting the GCC states with Egypt, Jordan and Iraq.
The US encouraged better ties between Iraq and other Arab countries in recent years to try to counter the rapid spread of Iran's influence in the region.
There had been concern that the new Iraqi government's closeness to Iran could derail these efforts.
Mr Al Sudani was the nominee of Iraq's biggest parliamentary group, the Co-ordination Framework, which is made up of Tehran-allied Shiite militias and political parties.
He has assured neighbours and allies that his government will continue to strengthen ties with Arab countries.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Baby Driver
Director: Edgar Wright
Starring: Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx, Lily James
Three and a half stars
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Eco%20Way%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20December%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ivan%20Kroshnyi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Electric%20vehicles%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Bootstrapped%20with%20undisclosed%20funding.%20Looking%20to%20raise%20funds%20from%20outside%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
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
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
Essentials
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Windhoek, with a combination of Emirates and Air Namibia, cost from US$790 (Dh2,902) via Johannesburg.
The trip
A 10-day self-drive in Namibia staying at a combination of the safari camps mentioned – Okonjima AfriCat, Little Kulala, Desert Rhino/Damaraland, Ongava – costs from $7,000 (Dh25,711) per person, including car hire (Toyota 4x4 or similar), but excluding international flights, with The Luxury Safari Company.
When to go
The cooler winter months, from June to September, are best, especially for game viewing.
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
