UAE

Dubai Municipality tenders process to go fully online

The municipality has introduced a fully automated tenders process that allows 100 committee members to consult each other about bids online.

Mohammed N Al Khan

December 25, 2012

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DUBAI // A new plan to make Dubai Municipality tenders assessment a fully online process will save more than 270,000 sheets of paper, the civic body says.

The municipality's e-Bid committee, which oversees more than 4,000 tender processes a year, can now operate entirely through an online application built by software company, Tejari.

"The municipality is the first government entity in the UAE to apply an electronic committee such as this," said Mohammed Abdul Karim Julfar, assistant director general of Dubai Municipality. "Our figures show that the committee used more than 270,000 sheet of paper in 2011 and this year's figures will surpass that. With this system, next year's figures will be zero."

The e-bid system also allows the 100 members of the municipal tenders assessment committee to conduct all their work online without having to arrange meetings with other committee members.

"The only time the committee will have to meet in person is when the head of committee feels that there are unresolved issues that need to be addressed," said Ibrahim Yaqoub, director of the Contracts and Purchasing department.

The system can also provide valuable statistics on how the committee is operating, he added. "This will help ensure fairness and transparency in our tender selections."

The new system was tested in October and has been in use since the start of December. Committee members have been very happy with how fast and easy the application is to use.

"This is making the process much more efficient to use. It's much better for us and there won't be any issues with lost paperwork," said Saeed Amiri, a committee member from the finance department.

Because the software is accessible on tablets and smart phones, the committee will also be able to significantly speed up the time it takes to process tenders.

malkhan@thenational.ae

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

While you're here
If you go

The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at. 
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.   

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