Opinion

Dubai has the vision to create great TV content for the entire Arab world

The provision of three new sound stages in Dubai is being repaid by attracting many more productions to the UAE, writes Jamal Al Sharif.

Jamal Al Sharif

August 09, 2014

  • English
  • Arabic

Dubai has developed into one of the world's leading production destinations, the location of choice for Hollywood and Bollywood blockbusters alike, including Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol in 2010 and the much-anticipated Happy New Year, which will be released towards the end this year.
Less attention, however, has been drawn to the array of television productions taking place across the emirate, which are showcasing Dubai's cutting-edge technology and infrastructure, and putting it on the world stage as a strategically important global hub.
Over the past year, Dubai has attracted production and television crews from around the world who have created a wide range of productions, including telenovelas, game shows and international franchises. Key developments within the emirate's infrastructure have significantly boosted its production capacity. This includes the completion last year of Dubai Studio City's three sound stages, which are the largest in the region and have changed the way content is being created.
Large numbers of television productions and crews have been given increasing support and facilitation of entry into Dubai by the Dubai Film and TV Commission, and Dubai's government has played a key role in driving the growth of the emirate's media industry.
According to a recent white paper report by the Dubai Film and TV Commission and Oliver Wyman, titled Opportunities and Challenges in the Middle East and North Africa production market, the government has played an extremely active role in fostering infrastructure for the film and television industry, which stems from the opening of Dubai Media City in 2001.
The report also touches upon the lack of Arabic film and television production, which is significantly below par when benchmarked with comparable markets, representing only 0.03 per cent of GDP. However, Dubai is beginning to see a shift in the production of Arabic content, and 2014 has already seen a breadth of Arabic content being produced from within the sound stages.
The sound stages are producing more content than ever seen before across the Middle East. Demand for production space has soared since their official opening last year, and Dubai Studio City is looking to create more space to meet this demand. The high levels of demand are not only testament to the cutting-edge infrastructure and technologies used within the sound stages, which are not seen anywhere else in the region, but also to the growth of the industry as a whole and the revival of confidence in the production industry.
Sound stage one, currently occupied by MBC and its joint venture with Stargate Middle East, is the production location of choice for the 120-episode tele­novela Matrimonia, which will screen soon, and more recently for the renowned TV series Cactus Alliance. A typical day's production turnaround in the Middle East is 5 to 10 minutes of material per day, but MBC and SGME are turning around one 40-minute episode per day. This has been made possible by the studios' easy and efficient process and availability of support services, as well as its world-class infrastructure and efficient logistics and communications.
The sound stage has the largest special-effects green screen in the region and the latest innovations in post-production technology, allowing for extremely quick turnaround time. Dubai's one-stop shop services, including the availability of talent, have set it apart from the region in the way content is being produced. This new technique has the global film and television production industry watching closely, and has the potential to transform the future of TV production in the whole region.
Dubai has also been the location of choice for renowned international TV franchises looking to create Arabic content. MasterChef Arabia filmed its first series on our sound stages using the largest MasterChef set to date. Dubai was able to not only support such a well-known international format, but its infrastructure and technology enabled MasterChef to greatly increase the size of its production.
The past year has seen more and more local and Arabic TV content being produced, including Saraya Al Bait, Al Hob Fe Al Arbeen, Qabl Al Awan and Weash Rajjak, which are being viewed across the Arab world. Dubai is home to unrivalled local talent, and some of the biggest names in the media industry are represented in the emirate, including MBC and OSN. With a large scope for more local content to be created, Dubai is taking great strides to try to meet demand.
A real TV production ecosystem is being created in Dubai, which, according to DFTC's white paper, has been fuelled by Dubai's understanding of the importance of diversifying its economy, and recognition of the many indirect and direct benefits a vibrant media ecosystem can provide.
Dubai's government has made the development of a sustainable, vibrant media ecosystem a focal point of its strategic vision for the future. There are no limits to what can be achieved in Dubai, and the production industry is no exception to this rule.
Jamal Al Sharif is the managing director of Dubai Studio City and chairman of the Dubai Film and TV Commission

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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. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

 

 

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Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

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As The National reported last year, non-fizzy sugared drinks were not covered when the original tax was introduced in 2017. Sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, 20 grams of sugar per 500ml bottle.

The non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.

Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.

Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
 

Not taxed:

Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.

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