Half-term is right around the corner, with many schools in the UAE set to enjoy the first break of the year. For the majority of educational establishments it runs from next Monday to Friday, but can vary.
And with Covid-19 restrictions having been lifted in many destinations around the world, including an easing of regulations in the UAE, perhaps the time is right to venture overseas.
Embrace the bustling streets of Istanbul, easily reached in less than five hours from the UAE, or head for the tropical shorelines of Zanzibar or Nepal's adventure-filled mountains. These last-minute getaways are available to book now, and there’s something for every budget.
1. A beach escape in Zanzibar
The tropical shores of Zanzibar await this month for travellers seeking a beachside escape. Book with flydubai holidays for a five-and-a-half-hour flight to the Tanzanian island to check in at the Nungwi Inn Beach Cottages. Nestled right on the shoreline, the resort offers 25 air-conditioned cottages with whitewashed walls and bright blue roofs, the ideal destination from where to enjoy island life. For those who prefer to be in a different part of the island or are seeking something more pocket-friendly or with additional luxury options, there are plenty of other accommodation options also available.
October is a great time to go to Zanzibar as it sits right in the middle of the island's two rainy seasons, meaning it is ideal for sun-seekers. Don’t forget to stop in Stone Town, where the ancient winding alleys are a well-preserved example of a Swahili coastal trading town and a place to easily lose yourself in hundreds of years of history. For ocean exploration, take a day trip to Chumbe Island Coral Park, off the coast of the capital. This non-profit private nature reserve has a coral reef sanctuary and a forest reserve and is home to some of the best snorkelling and scuba diving in East Africa.
From Dh3,743 per person for four nights, including breakfast, flights and taxes; www.holidays.flydubai.com
2. Exploration in Istanbul, the city of four empires
East meets West in Turkey’s Istanbul where delicious food, ancient markets and sprawling streets combine. History buffs can enjoy new wonders around every corner, thanks to the city’s history as the capital of four major empires including the Roman, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman. The world's only megacity straddling two continents, Istanbul is a thriving metropolis and in October, the city typically basks in sunny days, with cooler evening climes.
Fly with Etihad from Abu Dhabi this half-term for a flight time of just under five hours. Check in at the Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel in the middle of the Sultanahmet district where the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar and Taksim Square are all within walking distance.
Dh4,759 per person for four nights, including breakfast, flights and taxes; book.etihadholidays.com
3. Amazing adventures in Nepal
Travellers who want a few days of action-packed adventure, coupled with plenty of time to unwind, might consider a half-term escape to Nepal. TrekkUp’s Rocks'n Yoga trip departs Dubai this Saturday, reaching Kathmandu in four and a half hours.
The trip takes in six days of exploration in beautiful Nepal with activities including river rafting from Charaudi, canyoning in Lwang Ghalel and paragliding at Sarangkot on the radar. Hiking, yoga, meditation and a boating excursion on Pokhara’s most picturesque lake are also included. Wrap things up with an exploration of Nepal’s bustling capital by indulging in a traditional Nepalese meal, exploring myriad Unesco World Heritage sites and sample the city's bustling nightlife.
Dh3,650 per person, including activities and accommodation. Flights need to be arranged separately for last-minute bookings and start from Dh2,700; www.meetup.com
4. A blowout luxury stay in the Maldives
For a seriously luxurious escape, how about fusing the paradisiacal islands of the Maldives with classic Italian hospitality. Baglioni Resort Maldives on Maagau island in the Dhaalu Atoll is a seaplane ride away from Male’s Velana International Airport, reachable via a four-hour flight from Dubai.
Villa accommodation on the beach offers indoor-outdoor living and space for up to six people. The family-friendly resort has plenty to keep children entertained, including culture workshops where they can learn the Maldivian dance Boduberu, plus engage in arts, crafts and open-air beach games. The Baglioni Spa has also developed a range of massages dedicated for children and using all-natural ingredients.
Adults can enjoy their own treatments at the spa, where there’s also a yoga pavilion and fitness area. And for those that want to dive into the deep blue, the Maagau Dive Centre offers scuba, snorkelling, sunset cruises, dolphin watching and watersports.
The resort’s family getaway offer includes four nights for four people, with a complimentary dolphin or sunset cruise, non-motorised watersports and an introductory diving session. Two children under 12 stay and eat for free, and there’s a complimentary couple's massage plus 10 per cent off on spa treatments and a la carte menus. Guests will also get free early check-in and late checkout.
Dh35,256 on a half-board basis for two adults and two children. Direct flights start from Dh2,288 with Wizz Air Abu Dhabi or from Dh4,361 with Emirates, seaplane transfers cost an additional $1,600 for a family of four; www.baglionihotels.com
5. A budget break in Baku
Just more than three hours' flight time from the UAE, the capital of Azerbaijan is a good choice for anyone seeking an affordable half-term holiday. Book with Holiday Factory, and fly from either Dubai or Sharjah to the country's capital, where Unesco-listed sites, amazing architecture and luxury shopping await.
Famed for its impressive Flame Towers and 6th-century Old City, Baku also has a thriving cafe culture, bustling markets and is a great jumping-off point for day trips around the country. Staying at the five-star Hyatt Regency Baku, one of the best hotels in the city, guests can expect well-appointed rooms with pool, garden or city views, plus humongous bathtubs. There’s a swimming pool, tennis courts, squash courts and a steam bath and sauna on-site, and the hotel is located near Neftchilar Avenue and Nizami Street, the best spots in the city for shopping and entertainment. Day trip options include several biking and hiking trails, Qobustan's mud volcanoes and Ateshgah temple, famed for its ever-burning flame.
From Dh2,499 per person for three nights, including breakfast, flights, taxes and airport transfers; www.holiday-factory.com
6. Half-term in bustling Bangkok
A long-time favourite with holidaymakers, Thailand never fails to impress and the capital has something for everyone. Famed for its fantastic street food, cultural attractions and colourful markets, Bangkok is reachable via a six-and-a-half-hour flight from Abu Dhabi.
Capital Travel has a trip to Krung Thep that's still bookable for this half-term. It coincides with the end of Thailand’s rainy season and the time when summer humidity finally begins to subside. While there’s still likely to be a few downpours at this time of year, the heavy showers usually only last for a few hours in the afternoon.
Staying at the four-star Radisson Suites Bangkok Sukhumvit, travellers can enjoy the area’s nightlife, restaurants, malls and markets. Sukhumvit Road is one of the longest streets in the world, so there’s plenty to see and do. And of course, there's plenty of time to explore farther afield where you can take in Bangkok’s must-do’s such as Wat Phra Chetuphon — the temple with the famed reclining Buddha; Pak Khlong Talat flower market and a boat tour along the Chao Phraya River.
From Dh3,699 including flights, accommodation and airport transfers. Other accommodation options are available; www.capitaltravel.ae
7. An affordable autumn escape to Georgia
Fancy three days of cooler climes and autumnal colours without spending a fortune? Then consider a three-night escape to Georgia. Flying from Sharjah on October 20, a speedy three-hour flight to Tbilisi will have travellers check-in at the Hotel Magnolia, which is within walking distance of Freedom Square. The trip will keep everyone busy with plenty of sightseeing on the itinerary such as a visit to Mtskheta — a Unesco heritage-listed town that’s known for its historical buildings, and a half-day excursion to Old Tbilisi where the Metekhi Church, the Bridge of Peace and age-old sulphur baths await.
Head into the hills to Gudauri ski resort, and go visit Ananuri Castle where you can stop for panoramic views over the blue waters of the Zhinvali Reservoir, a man-made lake on the Georgian Military Highway. There’s also a day trip to the eastern part of the country where you can explore the historical treasures of Kakheti, and an optional exploration to Uplistsikhe Cave Town — one of the oldest urban settlements in the country.
From Dh1,899 per person, including flights, accommodation, airport transfers and sightseeing; houseoftours.com
8. Holiday Swiss-style at Five Zurich
Switzerland's largest city is home to the first Five Hotel in Europe and Emirates Holidays is offering half-term escapes to the Zurich outpost.
The famous party hotel from Dubai has a sleek sister hotel on the outskirts of Switzerland's financial metropolis and it's a great option for anyone seeking a holiday that blends great food, city life and fresh October air.
Five Zurich is all about offering guests a getaway experience and travellers checking in can look forward to luxury accommodation with views towards the city, first-rate restaurants and a fantastic underground spa. For those who want to stay up, The Penthouse is the place to go. As well as being a buzzy, slick Japanese restaurant, it's also where the DJ spins tracks every night.
Discreetly tucked away next door is the neon-lined Bathroom Bar and a Saturday night clubbing spot, but unlike its Dubai counterpart, this hotel is entirely family-friendly and also offers a place where people can simply unwind, take a walk in the surrounding green spaces and enjoy the indoor swimming pool that overlooks a natural waterfall.
Its location, only 15 minutes from Zurich's city centre, means there's plenty to see and do away from the hotel too. Dominating the skyline is the Grossmunster Church, well worth a visit, as are the Kunsthaus art gallery and Swiss National Museum. Take a stroll along the River Limmat, adorned with more than a thousand medieval and modern fountains, and stop for some cheese fondue or creamy Swiss chocolate at the myriad cafes, restaurants and bars that line the city's streets.
From Dh4,585 per person, including flights from Dubai and three nights on a room-only basis; www.emiratesholidays.com
9. An all-inclusive family escape to Mauritius
Known for its idyllic beaches, mountains and lush rainforests, Mauritius is one of the Indian Ocean’s best destinations for families. Travellers can enjoy the stunning azure blue waters and pristine shorelines, and there’s still plenty to do as it's easy to drive around the entire island. Book with dnata Travel and take the family to Club Med Resort at La Pointe aux Canonniers for three nights where you’ll stay all-inclusive, so you don’t need to worry what your bill will be when the children ask for yet another ice cream.
Located in the north of Mauritius, the resort offers access to two private beaches, four swimming pools, a lush spa by Cinq Mondes and a beach lounge for unwinding and catching some sunshine. The children's club is open for all children aged 0 to 17, with early years professionals on hand to take care of the littlest ones and daily activities to keep older children entertained. Try waterskiing on the calm Indian Ocean waters, go diving in the coral reef or head out to Mauritius's only 18-hole golf course, just a five-minute drive from the resort.
Dh6,262 per adult, on an all-inclusive basis and including flights; www.dnataTravel.com/offers/club-med
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.3-litre%20turbo%204-cyl%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10-speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E298hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E452Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETowing%20capacity%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.4-tonne%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPayload%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4WD%20%E2%80%93%20776kg%3B%20Rear-wheel%20drive%20819kg%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPrice%3A%20Dh138%2C945%20(XLT)%20Dh193%2C095%20(Wildtrak)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDelivery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20from%20August%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Full list of Emmy 2020 nominations
LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Anthony Anderson, Black-ish
Don Cheadle, Black Monday
Ted Danson, The Good Place
Michael Douglas, The Kominsky Method
Eugene Levy, Schitt’s Creek
Ramy Youssef, Ramy
LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Christina Applegate, Dead to Me
Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Linda Cardellini, Dead to Me
Catherine O’Hara, Schitt’s Creek
Issa Rae, Insecure
Tracee Ellis Ross, Black-ish
OUTSTANDING VARIETY/TALK SERIES
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee
Jimmy Kimmel Live
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Jason Bateman, Ozark
Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us
Steve Carell, The Morning Show
Brian Cox, Succession
Billy Porter, Pose
Jeremy Strong, Succession
LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Jennifer Aniston, The Morning Show
Olivia Colman, The Crown
Jodie Comer, Killing Eve
Laura Linney, Ozark
Sandra Oh, Killing Eve
Zendaya, Euphoria
OUTSTANDING REALITY/COMPETITION PROGRAM
The Masked Singer
Nailed It!
RuPaul’s Drag Race
Top Chef
The Voice
LEAD ACTOR IN A LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE
Jeremy Irons, Watchmen
Hugh Jackman, Bad Education
Paul Mescal, Normal People
Jeremy Pope, Hollywood
Mark Ruffalo, I Know This Much Is True
LEAD ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE
Cate Blanchett, Mrs. America
Shira Haas, Unorthodox
Regina King, Watchmen
Octavia Spencer, Self Made
Kerry Washington, Little Fires Everywhere
OUTSTANDING LIMITED SERIES
Little Fires Everywhere
Mrs. America
Unbelievable
Unorthodox
Watchmen
OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Dead to Me
The Good Place
Insecure
The Kominsky Method
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Schitt’s Creek
What We Do In The Shadows
OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES
Better Call Saul
The Crown
The Handmaid’s Tale
Killing Eve
The Mandalorian
Ozark
Stranger Things
Succession
The%20Caine%20Mutiny%20Court-Martial%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EWilliam%20Friedkin%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKiefer%20Sutherland%2C%20Jason%20Clarke%2C%20Jake%20Lacy%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
T20 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS
Qualifier A, Muscat
(All matches to be streamed live on icc.tv)
Fixtures
Friday, February 18: 10am Oman v Nepal, Canada v Philippines; 2pm Ireland v UAE, Germany v Bahrain
Saturday, February 19: 10am Oman v Canada, Nepal v Philippines; 2pm UAE v Germany, Ireland v Bahrain
Monday, February 21: 10am Ireland v Germany, UAE v Bahrain; 2pm Nepal v Canada, Oman v Philippines
Tuesday, February 22: 2pm Semi-finals
Thursday, February 24: 2pm Final
UAE squad:Ahmed Raza(captain), Muhammad Waseem, Chirag Suri, Vriitya Aravind, Rohan Mustafa, Kashif Daud, Zahoor Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Raja Akifullah, Karthik Meiyappan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Zafar Farid, Mohammed Boota, Mohammed Usman, Rahul Bhatia
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The Programme
Saturday, October 26: ‘The Time That Remains’ (2009) by Elia Suleiman
Saturday, November 2: ‘Beginners’ (2010) by Mike Mills
Saturday, November 16: ‘Finding Vivian Maier’ (2013) by John Maloof and Charlie Siskel
Tuesday, November 26: ‘All the President’s Men’ (1976) by Alan J Pakula
Saturday, December 7: ‘Timbuktu’ (2014) by Abderrahmane Sissako
Saturday, December 21: ‘Rams’ (2015) by Grimur Hakonarson
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
UAE%20medallists%20at%20Asian%20Games%202023
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EGold%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EMagomedomar%20Magomedomarov%20%E2%80%93%20Judo%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20%2B100kg%0D%3Cbr%3EKhaled%20Al%20Shehi%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-62kg%0D%3Cbr%3EFaisal%20Al%20Ketbi%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-85kg%0D%3Cbr%3EAsma%20Al%20Hosani%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Women%E2%80%99s%20-52kg%0D%3Cbr%3EShamma%20Al%20Kalbani%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Women%E2%80%99s%20-63kg%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESilver%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EOmar%20Al%20Marzooqi%20%E2%80%93%20Equestrian%20%E2%80%93%20Individual%20showjumping%0D%3Cbr%3EBishrelt%20Khorloodoi%20%E2%80%93%20Judo%20%E2%80%93%20Women%E2%80%99s%20-52kg%0D%3Cbr%3EKhalid%20Al%20Blooshi%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-62kg%0D%3Cbr%3EMohamed%20Al%20Suwaidi%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-69kg%0D%3Cbr%3EBalqees%20Abdulla%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Women%E2%80%99s%20-48kg%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBronze%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EHawraa%20Alajmi%20%E2%80%93%20Karate%20%E2%80%93%20Women%E2%80%99s%20kumite%20-50kg%0D%3Cbr%3EAhmed%20Al%20Mansoori%20%E2%80%93%20Cycling%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20omnium%0D%3Cbr%3EAbdullah%20Al%20Marri%20%E2%80%93%20Equestrian%20%E2%80%93%20Individual%20showjumping%0D%3Cbr%3ETeam%20UAE%20%E2%80%93%20Equestrian%20%E2%80%93%20Team%20showjumping%0D%3Cbr%3EDzhafar%20Kostoev%20%E2%80%93%20Judo%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-100kg%0D%3Cbr%3ENarmandakh%20Bayanmunkh%20%E2%80%93%20Judo%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-66kg%0D%3Cbr%3EGrigorian%20Aram%20%E2%80%93%20Judo%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-90kg%0D%3Cbr%3EMahdi%20Al%20Awlaqi%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-77kg%0D%3Cbr%3ESaeed%20Al%20Kubaisi%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Men%E2%80%99s%20-85kg%0D%3Cbr%3EShamsa%20Al%20Ameri%20%E2%80%93%20Jiu-jitsu%20%E2%80%93%20Women%E2%80%99s%20-57kg%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
The%20Iron%20Claw
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sean%20Durkin%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Zac%20Efron%2C%20Jeremy%20Allen%20White%2C%20Harris%20Dickinson%2C%20Maura%20Tierney%2C%20Holt%20McCallany%2C%20Lily%20James%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
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
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
PFA Team of the Year: David de Gea, Kyle Walker, Jan Vertonghen, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Alonso, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Mohamed Salah, Sergio Aguero
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
