• With its dramatic design, hi-tech displays and a mixture of innovation and tradition, the UAE pavilion has made a big impression on visitors. Courtesy Foster + Partners
    With its dramatic design, hi-tech displays and a mixture of innovation and tradition, the UAE pavilion has made a big impression on visitors. Courtesy Foster + Partners
  • The pavilion explores the Milan Expo theme of ‘Feeding the Planet – Energy for Life,’. Credit Filippo Poli
    The pavilion explores the Milan Expo theme of ‘Feeding the Planet – Energy for Life,’. Credit Filippo Poli
  • The exhibits nestle within 12-metre high walls of the pavilion designed by British architects Foster + Partners.. Credit Filippo Poli
    The exhibits nestle within 12-metre high walls of the pavilion designed by British architects Foster + Partners.. Credit Filippo Poli
  • Sand dunes in the UAE were photographed to ensure the ripple effect on the pavilion walls reflects the patterns of the dunes.. Credit Filippo Poli
    Sand dunes in the UAE were photographed to ensure the ripple effect on the pavilion walls reflects the patterns of the dunes.. Credit Filippo Poli
  • The cladding of the pavilion has been designed so that it can be dismantled and transported to Masdar City in Abu Dhabi at the conclusion of the Milan Expo in November.. Credit Filippo Poli
    The cladding of the pavilion has been designed so that it can be dismantled and transported to Masdar City in Abu Dhabi at the conclusion of the Milan Expo in November.. Credit Filippo Poli
  • Provided photo of the UAE Pavilion at Milan Expo 2015. Credit Filippo Poli
    Provided photo of the UAE Pavilion at Milan Expo 2015. Credit Filippo Poli
  • “Our design highlights the challenges of sustaining life in a desert climate, while demonstrating how efficient passive design solutions can help to support sustainable modern communities,” said renowned British architect Norman Foster.. Credit Filippo Poli
    “Our design highlights the challenges of sustaining life in a desert climate, while demonstrating how efficient passive design solutions can help to support sustainable modern communities,” said renowned British architect Norman Foster.. Credit Filippo Poli
  • Interactive displays also include a special exhibit celebrating Dubai as the host or the 2020 Expo after which visitors reach a green oasis.. Credit Filippo Poli
    Interactive displays also include a special exhibit celebrating Dubai as the host or the 2020 Expo after which visitors reach a green oasis.. Credit Filippo Poli
  • The pavilion is shaped like shimmering sand dunes and is surrounded by native plants. Courtesy Foster + Partners
    The pavilion is shaped like shimmering sand dunes and is surrounded by native plants. Courtesy Foster + Partners

A closer look at the UAE’s Pavilion at the Milan Expo - in pictures


  • English
  • Arabic

The UAE pavilion openned at the Expo in Milan on May 1,2015. The exhibits nestle within 12-metre high walls of the pavilion designed by British architects Foster + Partners.

MATCH INFO

Euro 2020 qualifier

Fixture: Liechtenstein v Italy, Tuesday, 10.45pm (UAE)

TV: Match is shown on BeIN Sports

TOURNAMENT INFO

Fixtures
Sunday January 5 - Oman v UAE
Monday January 6 - UAE v Namibia
Wednesday January 8 - Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 - Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 - UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia

UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid, Darius D’Silva, Karthik Meiyappan, Jonathan Figy, Vriitya Aravind, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Chirag Suri

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

Tips%20for%20holiday%20homeowners
%3Cp%3EThere%20are%20several%20factors%20for%20landlords%20to%20consider%20when%20preparing%20to%20establish%20a%20holiday%20home%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3ERevenue%20potential%20of%20the%20unit%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20location%2C%20view%20and%20size%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3EDesign%3A%20furnished%20or%20unfurnished.%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Is%20the%20design%20up%20to%20standard%2C%20while%20being%20catchy%20at%20the%20same%20time%3F%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3EBusiness%20model%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20will%20it%20be%20managed%20by%20a%20professional%20operator%20or%20directly%20by%20the%20owner%2C%20how%20often%20does%20the%20owner%20wants%20to%20use%20it%20for%20personal%20reasons%3F%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3EQuality%20of%20the%20operator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20guest%20reviews%2C%20customer%20experience%20management%2C%20application%20of%20technology%2C%20average%20utilisation%2C%20scope%20of%20services%20rendered%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3ESource%3A%20Adam%20Nowak%2C%20managing%20director%20of%20Ultimate%20Stay%20Vacation%20Homes%20Rental%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A