Expo 2020 Dubai will “aim to dazzle the world” when it opens in October, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, said during a recent visit to the site.
Sheikh Hamdan was briefed on the preparations being made to the expo, which will welcome millions of people from more than 190 nations from October 1 to March 31.
“Today, I visited Expo 2020 Dubai and was proud to see a great level of readiness at the site, with Dubai gearing up to host the major international event, featuring a set of innovative and inspiring programmes and events,” he said.
“Our leadership has promised the world we will host the best edition in the history of the international Expo, organising it in a way that makes the UAE, its people and the entire Arab world proud, thanks to our national talents and their sincere efforts.”
For 182 days, visitors will experience a dynamic and diverse programme, including innovation, culture, art, food, music and sport from every corner of the planet.
Expo 2020 is set to be “the most exceptional edition of the show in the mega global event’s 168-year history", Sheikh Hamdan said.
“Thanks to the directives of our wise leadership and their diligent follow-up on the event with great precision, we aim to dazzle the world through this international platform, displaying the world’s culture, heritage, history and top innovations.”
During his tour of the site, Sheikh Hamdan visited Al Wasl Plaza and Terra – The Sustainability Pavilion, and was briefed on the architectural and technical aspects of the sites, in addition to the expo’s agenda.
Marjan Faraidooni, chief experience officer at Expo 2020, briefed Sheikh Hamdan on how the event plans to create a rich and unforgettable experience for visitors.
At the end of his visit, the Crown Prince expressed his happiness at the preparations and the engaging agenda of programmes and events planned.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: N2 Technology
Founded: 2018
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Startups
Size: 14
Funding: $1.7m from HNIs
Company%20Profile
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The Limehouse Golem
Director: Juan Carlos Medina
Cast: Olivia Cooke, Bill Nighy, Douglas Booth
Three stars
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UAE v IRELAND
All matches start at 10am, and will be played in Abu Dhabi
1st ODI, Friday, January 8
2nd ODI, Sunday, January 10
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if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Gully Boy
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Producer: Excel Entertainment & Tiger Baby
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Siddhant Chaturvedi
Rating: 4/5 stars
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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