A rendering of Bilaj Al Jazayer, a new waterfront destination in Bahrain that's under development. Edamah
A rendering of Bilaj Al Jazayer, a new waterfront destination in Bahrain that's under development. Edamah
A rendering of Bilaj Al Jazayer, a new waterfront destination in Bahrain that's under development. Edamah
A rendering of Bilaj Al Jazayer, a new waterfront destination in Bahrain that's under development. Edamah

Avani and Tivoli hotels to open in Bahrain's Bilaj Al Jazayer development


Katy Gillett
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Two new hotels will open doors in Bahrain in 2024, hotel operator Minor Hotels has announced.

Avani Bilaj Al Jazayer Bahrain Resort and Tivoli Bilaj Al Jazayer Bahrain Resort will both be located at waterfront leisure destination Bilaj Al Jazayer, which is still under development.

The 1.3 million-square-metre plot, which will be home to numerous resorts, residences, restaurants, offices and entertainment venues, is located on the south-west coast of Bahrain.

Bilaj Al Jazayer is a 1.3-million-square-metre development in the south-west of Bahrain. Edamah
Bilaj Al Jazayer is a 1.3-million-square-metre development in the south-west of Bahrain. Edamah

The two new hotels will be on the shoreline. The Avani will have guest rooms and suites, an all-day dining restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool with pool bar, as well as a gym. The Tivoli will also offer rooms and suites, as well as two restaurants, two bars and a cafe, an outdoor swimming pool, gym, and spa and wellness facilities.

The properties will share a beach club.

“Minor Hotels’ entry into Bahrain is of key importance strategically for the group,” said William E Heinecke, chairman and founder of Minor International. “I have visited a few times over the years and have especially enjoyed my time as an F1 fan," he added, referring to the Bahrain Grand Prix, which has been running since 2004.

Amin Alarrayed, chief executive of Edamah, a local partner and property arm of Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat, said: “Bilaj Al Jazayer is one of the most exciting projects in our portfolio, which will transform Bahrain’s much-loved beach into a world-class waterfront destination.”

The destination will be home to numerous resorts, restaurants, offices and entertainment venues. Edamah
The destination will be home to numerous resorts, restaurants, offices and entertainment venues. Edamah

Minor Hotels, which operates Anantara, Avani, Tivoli and Oaks brands, has a portfolio of 527 hotels and resorts in 54 countries, with 29 of those in operation or scheduled to open in the Middle East.

It also plans to introduce two new brands – NH Collection and NH Hotels – more widely to the region soon. These can currently be found across Europe and America, with NH Hotels also in Tunisia and Qatar, according to its website.

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 

 

Europe wide
Some of French groups are threatening Friday to continue their journey to Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the European Union, and to meet up with drivers from other countries on Monday.

Belgian authorities joined French police in banning the threatened blockade. A similar lorry cavalcade was planned for Friday in Vienna but cancelled after authorities prohibited it.

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7/06/19, Euro 2020 qualifier 

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19/11/2018, Nations League

Ireland 0-0 Denmark

13/10/2018, Nations League

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14/11/2017, World Cup qualifier

Denmark 0-0 Ireland

11/11/2017, World Cup qualifier

 

 

 

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.

The biog

Favourite food: Tabbouleh, greek salad and sushi

Favourite TV show: That 70s Show

Favourite animal: Ferrets, they are smart, sensitive, playful and loving

Favourite holiday destination: Seychelles, my resolution for 2020 is to visit as many spiritual retreats and animal shelters across the world as I can

Name of first pet: Eddy, a Persian cat that showed up at our home

Favourite dog breed: I love them all - if I had to pick Yorkshire terrier for small dogs and St Bernard's for big

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Director: Chris Winterbauer

Stars: Lana Condor and Cole Sprouse 

Rating: 3/5

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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

Updated: August 09, 2021, 2:37 PM