The centre’s strategic plan was approved by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office. Courtesy Abu Dhabi Government Media Office
The centre’s strategic plan was approved by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office. Courtesy Abu Dhabi Government Media Office
The centre’s strategic plan was approved by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office. Courtesy Abu Dhabi Government Media Office
The centre’s strategic plan was approved by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office. Courtesy Abu Dhabi Government Media Office

Heritage

Abu Dhabi announces new initatives to promote the Arabic language

Ten programmes will help preserve Arabic and encourage its use

The National

December 03, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre has announced programmes to promote Arabic.

Initiatives announced at an online conference on Tuesday will help develop interest in the language and ensure that it is adopted at all levels in society.

The initiatives include creating more Arabic content, developing digital platforms in the language, using it in various fields and encouraging research in the language.

The centre has also been given the task of promoting the language globally.

It will develop 10 programmes to promote Arabic, including Zayed Poetry Encyclopedia, the Global Arabic Proficiency Exam, Arabic on the World Stage programme, and the Arabic Book programme.

It will work with academic and cultural institutions, scholars and researchers across the world to preserve and encourage the use of the language.

The centre will recommend policies that will promote Arabic in the public and private sector.

The strategic plan was approved by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office.

“We are working with linguists and educators to develop a modern Arabic language proficiency test for beginners and professionals at a level that qualifies it for accreditation by the world’s top educational and employment institutions,” said Dr Ali bin Tamim, chairman of Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre.

“The new test will be designed to accurately measure the proficiency of non-Arabic speakers, and help them to study in the Arabic language.”

Company%20Profile
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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

Our legal columnist

Name: Yousef Al Bahar

Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

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No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.

SUNDERLAND 2005-06

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