Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, hailed the success of the first Hatta Festival on Friday as he announced it will become an annual event.
Sheikh Hamdan underlined the Dubai leadership's commitment to further developing the popular attraction following a visit to the festival, which concludes on Sunday.
He welcomed the number of families who have flocked to the beauty spot to enjoy Hatta's “unique winter ambience”.
“I visited Hatta Festival and got a chance to take in its diverse events and activities,” Sheikh Hamdan said, in remarks carried by Dubai Media Office.
“I am delighted with the projects benefiting the region’s residents, especially the youth, and am also pleased to witness the enthusiastic participation of families enjoying Hatta’s unique winter ambience.
“We are committed to further developing the Hatta region and showcasing its rich history to the world.
“The Hatta Festival adds significant value to Dubai's global standing and tourist appeal.
“We issued directives to host Hatta Festival annually, providing all resources for building on the success achieved by the inaugural edition of the festival.”
The event – which started on December 15 – is being held at Hatta Wadi Hub and the newly developed Leem Lake.
It features traditional musical performances, food and drink pop-ups and art workshops, as well as hosting the Hatta Honey Festival.
Sheikh Hamdan said the Hatta Festival was central to a wider aim of cementing Dubai's status as a major visitor attraction.
“Our goal is for all areas in Dubai to be seen as destinations of choice for families and visitors to the emirate,” he said.
“Every accomplishment we achieve today brings us closer to realising targets of the Dubai Economic Agenda. Our aim has been and will continue to be the well-being and happiness of Dubai's residents.”
Bold vision for Hatta
In October 2021, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, unveiled ambitious plans for the mountainous enclave.
These included building a beach, a new lake, a cable railway, several hotels, and 120km of bicycle paths.
In January 2022, Sheikh Hamdan issued orders to form a supreme committee to oversee the mega project.
The Hatta Master Development Plan, part of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, aims to draw further tourism, business and investment to the area.
Hatta, near the border with Oman, has already become an adventure getaway, with mountain biking and kayaking popular activities.
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
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
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
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Everybody%20Loves%20Touda
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nabil%20Ayouch%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nisrin%20Erradi%2C%20Joud%20Chamihy%2C%20Jalila%20Talemsi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
INDIA SQUAD
Rohit Sharma (captain), Shikhar Dhawan (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Suresh Raina, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik (wicketkeeper), Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Vijay Shankar, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohammad Siraj and Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper)
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
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
