ABU DHABI // Air-quality experts have issued a warning over dust levels in the air.
There were large dust storms on 31 days in 2012, up from 25 days in 2011. On 129 days, about a third of the year, the amount of dust in the air was higher than the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi considers safe for those suffering respiratory conditions.
"People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children are considered sensitive and therefore they are at greater risk," said Ruqaya Mohamed, manager of the agency's air quality section.
"They should reduce their exposure to ambient air, for example by staying indoors, reducing physical activity or consulting a physician."
Besides natural causes, such as the weather, man-made pollution from vehicles and industrial facilities also increase the amount of dust in the air.
Air quality is measured by 18 monitoring stations throughout Abu Dhabi and the agency plans to have another two in operation by September.
The data they gather is published on a website (adairquality.ae) maintained by the agency and updated hourly. The agency and the Health Authority Abu Dhabi urge anyone with respiratory problems to visit the website.
The environment agency and the health authority are targeting sufferers such as Fahd Chaudhry, 34, who suffered his first asthma attack in December 2011.
His first reaction when he received the diagnosis in hospital was disbelief. "I am not asthmatic," he told doctors. "You are now," they replied.
Mr Chaudhry, born in Dubai, spent his childhood and early adult years enjoying an active outdoor lifestyle. Struggling to breathe was not a problem he had encountered.
"I thought maybe I was having a heart attack," he said.
In fact, he had joined the 9 per cent of adults and 13 per cent of children who suffer from asthma.
"There are certain things you have no control of, such as the dust, it is nature's will," he said. "But it does not mean you are helpless."
To help to manage his symptoms, he took a food allergy test. The findings encouraged him to cut down on eggs, gluten products and dairy.
"I had to extract many of these things from my diet and the result has been very good," he said.
"The change in the diet made a vary big difference and I also started using some homoeopathic medicines."
His regimen includes alternative healing therapies such as reiki and yogic breathing exercises.
"I started doing that to just test if these things really work," he said.
"So far, I have not had an attack or been sick becaue of changes in weather."
vtodorova@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
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