ABU DHABI // The row of cars sit in their glass stations like cute, caged bunnies in the window of a pet store, waiting for someone to walk by and notice them. They look so odd and futuristic that they elicit giggles and wows from anyone seeing them for the first time, but the autonomous Personal Rapid Transport (PRT) system at Masdar City represents a view of the future of transportation - except that you can try it out today.
The system has been in place and running since November 28, and the man in charge of its implementation can't hide his enthusiasm for the pilot project.
"The perfect thing with this is that, unlike other systems, it operates on demand," says Robbert Lohmann, the manager of marketing and sales for 2getthere, the company that installed the system. "Buses carry on with a route, even if there are no passengers; here, if there is no demand, then the vehicles don't drive, and no energy is used."
Mr Lohmann is based in the Netherlands, but he is in Abu Dhabi for a monthly visit and joins me as we put the PRT cars at Masdar City to the test.
We press a button on a pedestal, both the glass doors to the station and the car's doors slide open in unison, and we crouch to walk inside and sit down.
"People ask, 'what is the best feature you've designed on this car'," Mr Lohmann says. "And I say, 'the height of the roof'. Because you can't stand inside, you are forced to sit down, so that helps safety. And that means we can go a little faster, which increases the efficiency of the system."
We sit down on the leather seats and push another button to close the doors. With a warning beep, the car begins to glide out of the glass box backwards and stops, then starts forward, gaining speed along with an increasing whine from the electric motor. It softly accelerates to its top speed of about 25kph along the smooth concrete pathway, following a well-worn path of tyre marks. But it is not guided by these; the marks are simply a result of how accurate the guidance system is.
"We calculate how far the vehicle has driven by counting the number of wheel revolutions and the direction," Mr Lohmann says, his voice rising against the noise that fills the cabin. "But there is always a discrepancy; depending on the number of people in the car, the tyres may be a different diameter. So to compensate, there are magnets every two metres in the road, and every time we come over a magnet we measure the position, then we take our calculated position and measure the difference. And then we correct just half the distance; we never correct the whole distance because then it would be very jerky for the passengers.
"The driving accuracy in corners is within five centimetres, and on the straights it's within two centimetres."
It's a strange ride at first, especially knowing this car is thinking for itself. Despite the calculations Mr Lohmann talks about, it does sometimes get jerky, although overall it's pleasant. The noise from the electric motor is slightly higher than the level of a normal road car. But that doesn't stop Mr Lohmann from going on in detail enthusiastically about the system, describing the obstacle sensors that control the brakes or the fact that the PRT has far fewer operational problems and passenger delays than other systems around the world, such as bus or train routes.
The cars can be summoned on demand, he says, and it is an eerie sight standing on the station pad and seeing a passenger-less car come to life on its own and leave.
We come into the station and the car slows to a stop, parking perfectly in the glass box and opening its doors; I can't help but be in awe at experiencing something so futuristic.
Masdar's original plans for the PRT included multiple stops, but the company scaled back to the two that we ride to and from today. But Mr Lohmann remains proud of his company's accomplishment with the pilot project.
"We'd be happy if there's an expansion of the system in the future. If there is not, I'll be happy to operate what we have here and show the world how unique the system is, and what the capabilities of the system are.
"But for us, this is not testing. For us, this is a fully operational transportation system."
nvorano@thenational.ae
Give me a V8 Mercedes to test any day
It starts like many other cars today – with the push of a button. But instead of the satisfying growl of a V8, there’s … nothing. Then, the doors swish closed, and the PRT begins to move backwards out of the station with a whine that increases in volume.
And this is where a true driver will start to be disappointed with the PRT. As the car begins to move forward, the whine grows louder and fills the cabin, and there is a definite lack of control to driver input; it’s disappointingly unresponsive and seems to have a mind of its own during the trip. In fact, the steering wheel and pedals are inconveniently absent from the cabin, which severely limits a driver’s skills. There’s little feedback, and forget about tail slides or smoking the tyres, which the PRT seems utterly incapable of.
But the car stays flat in the corners, and handling seems to be good, with no understeer or oversteer, although it seems to be affected by a very low speed limiter.
Inside, the seats are firm yet comfortable in soft leather, but visibility is outstanding with tinted glass everywhere that gives the cabin a very open feel. Features and amenities are few, though cupholders are mandatory.
The bottom line is, though passengers will find their time in the PRT enjoyable, the true driver will wish he was back in his Mercedes.
* Neil Vorano
Citizenship-by-investment programmes
United Kingdom
The UK offers three programmes for residency. The UK Overseas Business Representative Visa lets you open an overseas branch office of your existing company in the country at no extra investment. For the UK Tier 1 Innovator Visa, you are required to invest £50,000 (Dh238,000) into a business. You can also get a UK Tier 1 Investor Visa if you invest £2 million, £5m or £10m (the higher the investment, the sooner you obtain your permanent residency).
All UK residency visas get approved in 90 to 120 days and are valid for 3 years. After 3 years, the applicant can apply for extension of another 2 years. Once they have lived in the UK for a minimum of 6 months every year, they are eligible to apply for permanent residency (called Indefinite Leave to Remain). After one year of ILR, the applicant can apply for UK passport.
The Caribbean
Depending on the country, the investment amount starts from $100,000 (Dh367,250) and can go up to $400,000 in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take between four to five months to receive a passport.
Portugal
The investment amount ranges from €350,000 to €500,000 (Dh1.5m to Dh2.16m) in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take a maximum of six months to receive a Golden Visa. Applicants can apply for permanent residency after five years and Portuguese citizenship after six years.
“Among European countries with residency programmes, Portugal has been the most popular because it offers the most cost-effective programme to eventually acquire citizenship of the European Union without ever residing in Portugal,” states Veronica Cotdemiey of Citizenship Invest.
Greece
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Greece is €250,000, making it the cheapest real estate residency visa scheme in Europe. You can apply for residency in four months and citizenship after seven years.
Spain
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Spain is €500,000. You can apply for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after 10 years. It is not necessary to live in Spain to retain and renew the residency visa permit.
Cyprus
Cyprus offers the quickest route to citizenship of a European country in only six months. An investment of €2m in real estate is required, making it the highest priced programme in Europe.
Malta
The Malta citizenship by investment programme is lengthy and investors are required to contribute sums as donations to the Maltese government. The applicant must either contribute at least €650,000 to the National Development & Social Fund. Spouses and children are required to contribute €25,000; unmarried children between 18 and 25 and dependent parents must contribute €50,000 each.
The second step is to make an investment in property of at least €350,000 or enter a property rental contract for at least €16,000 per annum for five years. The third step is to invest at least €150,000 in bonds or shares approved by the Maltese government to be kept for at least five years.
Candidates must commit to a minimum physical presence in Malta before citizenship is granted. While you get residency in two months, you can apply for citizenship after a year.
Egypt
A one-year residency permit can be bought if you purchase property in Egypt worth $100,000. A three-year residency is available for those who invest $200,000 in property, and five years for those who purchase property worth $400,000.
Source: Citizenship Invest and Aqua Properties
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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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PROFILE BOX
Company name: Overwrite.ai
Founder: Ayman Alashkar
Started: Established in 2020
Based: Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai
Sector: PropTech
Initial investment: Self-funded by founder
Funding stage: Seed funding, in talks with angel investors
Results:
5pm: Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m | Winner: AF Tahoonah, Richard Mullen (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 1,400m | Winner: Ajwad, Gerald Avranche, Rashed Bouresly
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m | Winner: RB Lam Tara, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m | Winner: Duc De Faust, Szczepan Mazur, Younis Al Kalbani
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Dh70,000 2,200m | Winner: Shareef KB, Fabrice Veron, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 1,500m | Winner: Bainoona, Pat Cosgrave, Eric Lemartinel
Directed by: Craig Gillespie
Starring: Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry
4/5
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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
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
World record transfers
1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m
