I write to you in reference to Gillian Duncan and Shireena Al Nowais's story Coronavirus: How does Abu Dhabi's new border system work? (June 30): the Abu Dhabi-Dubai border temporary shutdown was a necessary measure undertaken by the UAE government to help contain the spread of Covid-19. It was also a significant act, unseen in the last 50 years of Emirati history. Not since December 2, 1971 has the border between the two emirates been restricted in such a manner.
There was a time, in the pre-union days, when one had to present a passport to enter Dubai from Abu Dhabi and vice versa. Modern day citizens and residents can still get a sense of this the next time they drive up or down the E11 motorway. A remnant of the Abu Dhabi-Dubai border still exists. It is a small green building on the coastal side of the motorway that today serves as the Saih Sheib Police Station.
The successful demarcation of Abu Dhabi and Dubai territory was one of the leading achievements led by Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father, and Sheikh Rashid.
Sheikh Zayed Road for example, Dubai’s most famous road, was named in honour of the then ruler of Abu Dhabi. This road actually begins at Abu Dhabi’s Corniche as Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street (known more casually in Abu Dhabi as Airport Road).
The name changes from Sheikh Rashid Road to Sheikh Zayed Road the moment you cross the border from Abu Dhabi into Dubai. In naming their grandest streets after one another, the founders of the UAE enacted a symbolic gesture with a view to strengthen the union during its nascent days.
Abu Dhabi and Dubai’s current rulers have built on the foundations set by the UAE's Founding Fathers. The recently inaugurated E311 or Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed road now links the newer outer suburbs of Abu Dhabi with the new outer suburbs of Dubai and is a testament to the continued relevance and the enduring vision of the union. We will overcome the coronavirus crisis. But as we enter the 50th anniversary of the UAE, we need to maintain a historical perspective.
Ahmed Shubbar, Abu Dhabi
Plenty of trusted studies validated by doctors
With regard to the report WHO stops trials for drug Donald Trump promoted as a coronavirus remedy (July 4): the Lancet study was a scandal; even the journal admitted later that the study was based on fake data. However, there are a lot of trusted studies proving the efficacy of certain medicines when prescribed in the early stages – by doctors.
Lana L, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Percentage of coronavirus cases hasn't changed
With reference to Coronavirus: UAE records 716 new cases and three deaths as daily tests pass 70,000 (July 4): Look at the test numbers. Saturday's are based on 71,000 tests. The actual percentage of positive cases hasn't changed but the fact they are catching more at once now is a good thing. The more you catch those currently infected the faster we will get past this.
Suzanne Arruda, Dubai
What is a robo-adviser?
Robo-advisers use an online sign-up process to gauge an investor’s risk tolerance by feeding information such as their age, income, saving goals and investment history into an algorithm, which then assigns them an investment portfolio, ranging from more conservative to higher risk ones.
These portfolios are made up of exchange traded funds (ETFs) with exposure to indices such as US and global equities, fixed-income products like bonds, though exposure to real estate, commodity ETFs or gold is also possible.
Investing in ETFs allows robo-advisers to offer fees far lower than traditional investments, such as actively managed mutual funds bought through a bank or broker. Investors can buy ETFs directly via a brokerage, but with robo-advisers they benefit from investment portfolios matched to their risk tolerance as well as being user friendly.
Many robo-advisers charge what are called wrap fees, meaning there are no additional fees such as subscription or withdrawal fees, success fees or fees for rebalancing.
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: seven-speed auto
Power: 420 bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: from Dh293,200
On sale: now
If you go...
Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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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
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
What drives subscription retailing?
Once the domain of newspaper home deliveries, subscription model retailing has combined with e-commerce to permeate myriad products and services.
The concept has grown tremendously around the world and is forecast to thrive further, according to UnivDatos Market Insights’ report on recent and predicted trends in the sector.
The global subscription e-commerce market was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5bn) in 2018. It is forecast to touch $478.2bn in 2025, and include the entertainment, fitness, food, cosmetics, baby care and fashion sectors.
The report says subscription-based services currently constitute “a small trend within e-commerce”. The US hosts almost 70 per cent of recurring plan firms, including leaders Dollar Shave Club, Hello Fresh and Netflix. Walmart and Sephora are among longer established retailers entering the space.
UnivDatos cites younger and affluent urbanites as prime subscription targets, with women currently the largest share of end-users.
That’s expected to remain unchanged until 2025, when women will represent a $246.6bn market share, owing to increasing numbers of start-ups targeting women.
Personal care and beauty occupy the largest chunk of the worldwide subscription e-commerce market, with changing lifestyles, work schedules, customisation and convenience among the chief future drivers.
The low down
Producers: Uniglobe Entertainment & Vision Films
Director: Namrata Singh Gujral
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Nargis Fakhri, Bo Derek, Candy Clark
Rating: 2/5
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
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