President Sheikh Mohamed with Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia. Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court
President Sheikh Mohamed with Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia. Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court
President Sheikh Mohamed with Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia. Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court
President Sheikh Mohamed with Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia. Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court

News

UAE

President Sheikh Mohamed holds talks with Indonesian President in Abu Dhabi

Two leaders express solidarity with Qatar after Israeli attack

The National

September 13, 2025

  • English
  • Arabic

President Sheikh Mohamed has held talks with Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto in Abu Dhabi, state news agency Wam reported on Friday.

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed ways to boost co-operation across fields such as the economy, development, investment and renewable energy.

They also exchanged views on the Israeli attack on Qatar, with both sides reiterating their countries’ condemnation of the attack and expressing their solidarity with Qatar.

They further emphasised that such acts undermine regional security, stability and prospects for peace.

  • President Sheikh Mohamed speaks with Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia, prior to a meeting, at the Presidential Airport. Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court
    President Sheikh Mohamed speaks with Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia, prior to a meeting, at the Presidential Airport. Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court
  • President Sheikh Mohamed and the Indonesian leader discussed strengthening ties. Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court
    President Sheikh Mohamed and the Indonesian leader discussed strengthening ties. Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court
  • President Sheikh Mohamed with Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia, at the Presidential Airport. Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court
    President Sheikh Mohamed with Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia, at the Presidential Airport. Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court
  • Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, receives Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia, on his arrival at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi. Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court
    Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, receives Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia, on his arrival at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi. Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court
  • Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, receives Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia, at the Presidential Airport. Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court
    Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, receives Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia, at the Presidential Airport. Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court
  • Members of the Indonesian delegation accompanying Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia, attend a meeting on arrival at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi. Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court
    Members of the Indonesian delegation accompanying Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia, attend a meeting on arrival at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi. Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court
  • Mohammed Alsuwaidi, Minister of Investment, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Group, Chief Executive of Adnoc and Chairman of Masdar, and Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, attend a meeting with Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia, not pictured, on his arrival at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi. Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court
    Mohammed Alsuwaidi, Minister of Investment, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Group, Chief Executive of Adnoc and Chairman of Masdar, and Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, attend a meeting with Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia, not pictured, on his arrival at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi. Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court
  • President Sheikh Mohamed speaks with Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia, after a meeting. Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court
    President Sheikh Mohamed speaks with Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia, after a meeting. Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court

The Indonesian leader arrived in the UAE on Friday for a working visit, Wam reported, and it comes as ties between the two countries continue to strengthen.

A comprehensive economic partnership between the UAE and Indonesia was signed in 2023. The deal is expected to boost the UAE’s non-oil trade with Jakarta to $10 billion by 2027.

The meeting, meanwhile, was also attended by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs, along with a number of ministers and senior officials.

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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

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1 Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes

2 Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari

3 Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari

4 Max Verstappen, Red Bull

5 Kevin Magnussen, Haas

6 Romain Grosjean, Haas

7 Nico Hulkenberg, Renault

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9 Carlos Sainz, Renault

10 Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes

11 Fernando Alonso, McLaren

12 Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren

13 Sergio Perez, Force India

14 Lance Stroll, Williams

15 Esteban Ocon, Force India

16 Brendon Hartley, Toro Rosso

17 Marcus Ericsson, Sauber

18 Charles Leclerc, Sauber

19 Sergey Sirotkin, Williams

20 Pierre Gasly, Toro Rosso

* Daniel Ricciardo qualified fifth but had a three-place grid penalty for speeding in red flag conditions during practice

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Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019

Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO

Based: Amman, Jordan

Sector: Education Technology

Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed

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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. 

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The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index

The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index

Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.

The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.

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Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.

Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.

“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.

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Updated: September 13, 2025, 3:38 PM
UAEIndonesiaSheikh Mohamed bin Zayed