• Expo City Dubai is set to open in phases from September 2022, with a full relaunch in October. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
    Expo City Dubai is set to open in phases from September 2022, with a full relaunch in October. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
  • Visitors can take a trip on the Garden in the Sky from September 1 for Dh30.
    Visitors can take a trip on the Garden in the Sky from September 1 for Dh30.
  • Later, as residential sectors open, the district will become a '24-hour neighbourhood' in which people live and work, and can visit.
    Later, as residential sectors open, the district will become a '24-hour neighbourhood' in which people live and work, and can visit.
  • The Expo metro station in June 2022.
    The Expo metro station in June 2022.
  • Dubai Exhibition Centre in June 2022.
    Dubai Exhibition Centre in June 2022.
  • Ahmed Al Khatib, chief development and delivery officer and Marjan Faraidooni, chief visitor experience officer at Expo 2020 Dubai, at a news conference in June 2022 to announce Expo City Dubai.
    Ahmed Al Khatib, chief development and delivery officer and Marjan Faraidooni, chief visitor experience officer at Expo 2020 Dubai, at a news conference in June 2022 to announce Expo City Dubai.
  • The entrance gates await new residents and businesses.
    The entrance gates await new residents and businesses.
  • Ahmed Al Khatib said the district would be free of single plastics and was built with an emphasis on the environment.
    Ahmed Al Khatib said the district would be free of single plastics and was built with an emphasis on the environment.
  • Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed, chairman of Dubai Airports, speaking at a press conference welcoming the next chapter at Expo City Dubai.
    Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed, chairman of Dubai Airports, speaking at a press conference welcoming the next chapter at Expo City Dubai.

Expo City Dubai to welcome first visitors from September 1


Rory Reynolds
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  • Arabic

Latest: Map shows how much of Expo City will be open this week

Expo City Dubai will welcome the first visitors through its gates from Thursday, September 1, before a full relaunch in October.

Visitors can gain access to two of the anchor pavilions, Mobility and Terra, as part of a phased launch of the legacy site, a successor to the six-month world's fair bonanza that closed in late March.

Organisers on Monday said the move was the "first chapter of Expo City Dubai’s journey".

Tickets will cost Dh50 per person, per pavilion, and are available at www.expocitydubai.com. They can also be purchased at four box offices at Expo City Dubai from Thursday.

Much of Expo City Dubai’s public realm will be open and is free to visit
Expo City Dubai statement

Garden in the Sky, with its 360-degree views, will also open on Thursday, with adult tickets priced at Dh30 each. Attractions are free for children aged 12 and under and People of Determination.

Alif and Terra will be open daily from 10am to 6pm, while Garden in the Sky will open from 3pm to 6pm, extending to 10am to 6pm from Friday, September 16 onwards.

The expanded Dubai Metro will serve visitors and staff.

Although some transitional work is still underway, "much of Expo City Dubai’s public realm will be open and is free to visit," organisers said in a statement on Monday.

Other Expo favourites – including Al Wasl Plaza, the Surreal water feature, the Women’s Pavilion and the Vision Pavilion, as well as children’s playgrounds and the carousel – will open from October 1.

Later this year, the Opportunity Pavilion will become the Expo 2020 Dubai Museum – a new addition highlighting the history and impact of World Expos.

In a statement, organisers said they were looking forward to the return of school trips, with the Expo School Programme preparing an "awe-inspiring and evolving array of immersive educational experiences, exhibits and interactive workshops, reflecting the themes of the pavilions".

Earlier this month, Al Wasl Plaza, the centrepiece of Expo, was longlisted for the Dezeen Awards 2022.

Timeline of Expo 2020 Dubai: in pictures

  • The Expo 2020 site under construction in the Dubai South area of Dubai, in July 2017. Christopher Pike / The National
    The Expo 2020 site under construction in the Dubai South area of Dubai, in July 2017. Christopher Pike / The National
  • Construction work on the Expo 2020 site at the Al Wasl Plaza in November 2017. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Construction work on the Expo 2020 site at the Al Wasl Plaza in November 2017. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The Expo 2020 site in April 2018. Pawan Singh / The National
    The Expo 2020 site in April 2018. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The under construction site in Dubai in April 2018. Pawan Singh / The National
    The under construction site in Dubai in April 2018. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A man climbs through scaffolding during the construction of the new fly-over on Sheikh Zayed road near the Al Safa interchange, in May 2018. Antonie Robertson/The National
    A man climbs through scaffolding during the construction of the new fly-over on Sheikh Zayed road near the Al Safa interchange, in May 2018. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • General image of the site in October 2018. Antonie Robertson/The National
    General image of the site in October 2018. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • The Expo construction site in October 2018. Photo: Dubai Expo
    The Expo construction site in October 2018. Photo: Dubai Expo
  • Progress at the Sustainability pavilion, seen in July 2019. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Progress at the Sustainability pavilion, seen in July 2019. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Visitors at the Invention centre at the Expo 2020 House of Volunteers office, in January 2020. Pawan Singh / The National
    Visitors at the Invention centre at the Expo 2020 House of Volunteers office, in January 2020. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Inside view of the Dubai Expo 2020 Sustainability pavilion during a media tour in January 2021. Pawan Singh / The National
    Inside view of the Dubai Expo 2020 Sustainability pavilion during a media tour in January 2021. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The Al Wasl Plaza, the heart of the Expo 2020 site, in January 2020. Pawan Singh / The National
    The Al Wasl Plaza, the heart of the Expo 2020 site, in January 2020. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The Italy pavilion in April 2021, being readied ahead of the opening in October. Pawan Singh / The National
    The Italy pavilion in April 2021, being readied ahead of the opening in October. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The David statue, unveiled at the Italy pavilion in April 2021. Pawan Singh/The National
    The David statue, unveiled at the Italy pavilion in April 2021. Pawan Singh/The National
  • The opening ceremony of Dubai Expo 2020, on September 30, 2021. AFP
    The opening ceremony of Dubai Expo 2020, on September 30, 2021. AFP
  • A logo of the Dubai Expo 2020 is projected during the opening ceremony, on September 30, 2021. AFP
    A logo of the Dubai Expo 2020 is projected during the opening ceremony, on September 30, 2021. AFP
  • Visitors enjoying the fog inside the Switzerland pavilion in October 2021. Pawan Singh / The National
    Visitors enjoying the fog inside the Switzerland pavilion in October 2021. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Visitors at the Singapore Pavilion in October 2021. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Visitors at the Singapore Pavilion in October 2021. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Airshow above the Pakistan pavilion in October 2021. Khushnum Bhandari/ The National
    Airshow above the Pakistan pavilion in October 2021. Khushnum Bhandari/ The National
  • The UAE pavilion in October 2021. Victor Besa/The National
    The UAE pavilion in October 2021. Victor Besa/The National
  • Light show at the Al Wasl Plaza in October 2021. Victor Besa/The National.
    Light show at the Al Wasl Plaza in October 2021. Victor Besa/The National.
  • View from the Garden in the Sky at Expo 2020, in November 2021. Antonie Robertson / The National
    View from the Garden in the Sky at Expo 2020, in November 2021. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • The Water Feature, in November 2021. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    The Water Feature, in November 2021. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Closing fireworks at Expo 2020 Dubai, on April 1, 2022. Ruel Pableo/The National
    Closing fireworks at Expo 2020 Dubai, on April 1, 2022. Ruel Pableo/The National
  • A sign outside the Sustainability gate saying: 'The gates are closed but the memories will remain. Until we meet again.' Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A sign outside the Sustainability gate saying: 'The gates are closed but the memories will remain. Until we meet again.' Chris Whiteoak / The National
Brief scores:

Manchester City 3

Bernardo Silva 16', Sterling 57', Gundogan 79'

Bournemouth 1

Wilson 44'

Man of the match: Leroy Sane (Manchester City)

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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

The biog

Favourite colour: Brown

Favourite Movie: Resident Evil

Hobbies: Painting, Cooking, Imitating Voices

Favourite food: Pizza

Trivia: Was the voice of three characters in the Emirati animation, Shaabiyat Al Cartoon

The specs

Engine: 5.2-litre V10

Power: 640hp at 8,000rpm

Torque: 565Nm at 6,500rpm

Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto

Price: From Dh1 million

On sale: Q3 or Q4 2022 

The Details

Kabir Singh

Produced by: Cinestaan Studios, T-Series

Directed by: Sandeep Reddy Vanga

Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Suresh Oberoi, Soham Majumdar, Arjun Pahwa

Rating: 2.5/5 

Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

Honeymoonish
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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

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Updated: June 02, 2023, 11:15 AM