• The new fish market is being built beside the old one. Courtesy: Department of Municipalities / Modon
    The new fish market is being built beside the old one. Courtesy: Department of Municipalities / Modon
  • The entrance to Mina Zayed's new fish market. Courtesy: Department of Municipalities / Modon
    The entrance to Mina Zayed's new fish market. Courtesy: Department of Municipalities / Modon
  • Construction is underway to transform Mina Zayed into a top tourist and commercial destination. Courtesy: Department of Municipalities / Modon
    Construction is underway to transform Mina Zayed into a top tourist and commercial destination. Courtesy: Department of Municipalities / Modon
  • Construction is underway to transform Mina Zayed into a top tourist and commercial destination. Courtesy: Department of Municipalities / Modon
    Construction is underway to transform Mina Zayed into a top tourist and commercial destination. Courtesy: Department of Municipalities / Modon

A glimpse at Abu Dhabi's new fish market


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Developers have released renderings of what Abu Dhabi's new fish market will look like.

The modern complex is under construction at Mina Zayed as a major redevelopment of the area is about to start.

The historic fish market has been serving customers for more than three decades and is a prominent part of the new plans.

New images show the scale of building with traditional architectural elements such as arches alongside modern facilities.

The white coloured building also includes shaded areas for restaurants and outdoor space on the upper floors with views across the area.

A new water feature also marks the entrance to the market, which aims to become a catalyst for the rejeneration of the existing Fisherman’s Wharf.

It was announced on Thursday that shops and markets can stay open during the area's landmark redevelopment.

It will bring relief to traders in the historic area known for its colourful souqs, who were worried about the future of their businesses.

The redevelopment starts in earnest on November 27 when the abandoned tower block, Mina Plaza, is demolished. The area will be temporarily closed from 7pm on Thursday, November 26 to 4pm on Friday to facilitate the demolition.

  • Traders in Mina Zayed are braced for change as a major regeneration project of Mina Zayed gathers momentum. All pictures by Victor Besa / The National
    Traders in Mina Zayed are braced for change as a major regeneration project of Mina Zayed gathers momentum. All pictures by Victor Besa / The National
  • Mohammad Riyas, from Kerala, has worked at the Mina Plant Market for ten years
    Mohammad Riyas, from Kerala, has worked at the Mina Plant Market for ten years
  • Mina Plaza Towers which will be demolished on November 27 as part of an ambitious redevelopment scheme
    Mina Plaza Towers which will be demolished on November 27 as part of an ambitious redevelopment scheme
  • Abdulla Hussein, from Pakistan, delivers pillows to the Dar Al Ain shop.
    Abdulla Hussein, from Pakistan, delivers pillows to the Dar Al Ain shop.
  • Many shop owners have operated in Mina Zayed for several years
    Many shop owners have operated in Mina Zayed for several years
  • Hassan Mohammad Ali at the pillow sales section of Dar Al Ain
    Hassan Mohammad Ali at the pillow sales section of Dar Al Ain
  • A rich array of goods are sold by the many market traders in Mina Zayed
    A rich array of goods are sold by the many market traders in Mina Zayed
  • The Jaberkhoory Household Appliances shop in the vast port area
    The Jaberkhoory Household Appliances shop in the vast port area
  • The pillows and mats section of the Dar Al Ain shop
    The pillows and mats section of the Dar Al Ain shop
  • The Mina Zayed market area will be transformed as part of plans to turn the port into a tourist attraction
    The Mina Zayed market area will be transformed as part of plans to turn the port into a tourist attraction
  • Mounir A.K. has worked at the Mina plant market for four years
    Mounir A.K. has worked at the Mina plant market for four years
  • Anna Varghese, from Kerala has owned her plant stall with her husband for 15 years
    Anna Varghese, from Kerala has owned her plant stall with her husband for 15 years
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

Women%E2%80%99s%20T20%20World%20Cup%20Qualifier
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20fixtures%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E25%20April%20%E2%80%93%20Ireland%20v%20UAE*%3Cbr%3E27%20April%20%E2%80%93%20UAE%20v%20Zimbabwe**%3Cbr%3E29%20April%20%E2%80%93%20Netherlands%20v%20UAE*%3Cbr%3E3%20May%20%E2%80%93%20UAE%20v%20Vanuatu*%3Cbr%3E5%20May%20%E2%80%93%20Semi-finals%3Cbr%3E7%20May%20%E2%80%93%20Final%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20squad%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEsha%20Oza%20(captain)%2C%20Al%20Maseera%20Jahangir%2C%20Avanee%20Patel%2C%20Heena%20Hotchandani%2C%20Indhuja%20Nandakumar%2C%20Kavisha%20Kumari%2C%20Khushi%20Sharma%2C%20Lavanya%20Keny%2C%20Mehak%20Thakur%2C%20Rinitha%20Rajith%2C%20Samaira%20Dharnidharka%2C%20Siya%20Gokhale%2C%20Suraksha%20Kotte%2C%20Theertha%20Satish%2C%20Vaishnave%20Mahesh.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E*Zayed%20Cricket%20Stadium%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E**Tolerance%20Oval%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

All Black 39-12 British & Irish Lions

Lions tour fixtures

3 JuneProvincial BarbariansWon 13-7

7 JuneBluesLost 22-16

10 JuneCrusadersWon 12-3

13 JuneHighlandersLost 23-22

17 JuneMaori All BlacksWon 32-10

20 JuneChiefsWon 34-6

24 JuneNew ZealandLost 30-15

27 JuneHurricanes

1 JulyNew Zealand

8 JulyNew Zealand

'HIJRAH%3A%20IN%20THE%20FOOTSTEPS%20OF%20THE%20PROPHET'
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEdited%20by%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Idries%20Trevathan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPages%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20240%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hirmer%20Publishers%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Tamkeen's offering
  • Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
  • Option 2: 50% across three years
  • Option 3: 30% across five years 
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

Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere

Director: Scott Cooper

Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong

Rating: 4/5

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
The specs: 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk


Price, base: Dh399,999
Engine: Supercharged 6.2-litre V8
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 707hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 875Nm @ 4,800rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 16.8L / 100km (estimate)

The stats

Ship name: MSC Bellissima

Ship class: Meraviglia Class

Delivery date: February 27, 2019

Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT

Passenger capacity: 5,686

Crew members: 1,536

Number of cabins: 2,217

Length: 315.3 metres

Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:

Ajax 2-3 Tottenham

Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate

Final: June 1, Madrid

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe

Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010

Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille

Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm

Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year

Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”

Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners

TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013 

No.6 Collaborations Project

Ed Sheeran (Atlantic)