Construction work on the France Pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai site will be completed in April.
Thousands of solar tiles are being fitted to cover the roof and facade, with each panel drawing inspiration from the palette of Claude Monet's famous Water Lilies oil paintings.
Light will be a major element, with visitors set to walk under a canopy that doubles as an artificial sky – out of which waves of light will burst and retreat.
"The France Pavilion construction is nearing completion and we are on track for delivery in April," Erik Linquier, commissioner general for France at Expo 2020 Dubai, told The National.
"We are currently finalising work for the installation of photovoltaic solar tiles that harness light to produce photoelectric energy, as well as the cladding of metal and LED panels that will cover the facade."
The insulated shell will also protect visitors from the sun.
A water treatment plant is being installed to irrigate plants and for use in toilets, reducing the consumption of fresh water.
"This initiative, which is nearing completion, allows a partially autonomous energy system, as more than 80 per cent of the energy consumed by the pavilion will be generated by the sun," Mr Linquier said.
“Further energy savings include a treatment plant that aims to reduce the water supply by 30 per cent by recycling the wastewater and supplying the irrigation system.”
Kiosks, boutiques and restaurants will be installed on the pavilion promenade in the summer, in the last phase.
Standing 21 metres high, with a facade covering 1,800 square metres and a forecourt of 1,000 square metres, the France Pavilion will be the eighth highest and fifth largest pavilion on the Expo site.
It offers views of the Mobility pavilion, the Al Wasl dome and the towering entry gates.
Space exploration will be a key theme.
The world fair will have a celestial fan in astronaut Thomas Pesquet, a French Expo ambassador.
He is currently training for his second flight to the International Space Station on the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft to launch next month.
Mr Pesquet will visit the Dubai site once he completes his mission.
"He will closely follow the inauguration of Expo 2020 from the International Space Station, from where he will closely support the France Pavilion until we welcome him on site as soon as he lands back on Earth in 2022," Mr Linquier said.
The ground floor will be dedicated to permanent exhibitions, while the upper level will host events highlighting companies' contributions towards reaching UN sustainable development goals.
The higher floor can accommodate 320 guests for conferences.
Plans will incorporate social distancing for visitors as they walk across different levels of the building.
“The France Pavilion is historically one of the most visited pavilions during World Expos," said Mr Linquier, who is also chairman of Cofrex, the firm implementing the project.
"As we expect to welcome 25,000 daily visitors, we are working very closely with the organisers to provide a seamless experience, as we adhere to Expo 2020's Covid-19 health and safety guidelines."
The budget for France's participation at Expo is €28 million ($33.45m).
Half of this amount is for the construction, design and maintenance of the pavilion. The remainder covers operating costs and the six-month programme of events.
France's budget for Expo 2020 Dubai is twice the amount the country spent at the 2015 Milan Expo.
Mr Linquier said the pavilion was ideal for French artists, entrepreneurs, academics, companies and start-ups to expand internationally.
“It is also our ambition to showcase the values of daring, optimism and collective sense,” he said.
"I strongly believe that France's participation at Expo 2020 Dubai will contribute to the French government's re-launch strategy to maintain a strong and visible presence globally, illustrating the relevance, determination and desire of companies to build a sustainable society."
Expo pavilion renderings
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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CHINESE GRAND PRIX STARTING GRID
1st row
Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
2nd row
Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes-GP)
Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
3rd row
Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull Racing)
4th row
Nico Hulkenberg (Renault)
Sergio Perez (Force India)
5th row
Carlos Sainz Jr (Renault)
Romain Grosjean (Haas)
6th row
Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
Esteban Ocon (Force India)
7th row
Fernando Alonso (McLaren)
Stoffel Vandoorne (McLaren)
8th row
Brendon Hartley (Toro Rosso)
Sergey Sirotkin (Williams)
9th row
Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso)
Lance Stroll (Williams)
10th row
Charles Leclerc (Sauber)
arcus Ericsson (Sauber)
Fund-raising tips for start-ups
Develop an innovative business concept
Have the ability to differentiate yourself from competitors
Put in place a business continuity plan after Covid-19
Prepare for the worst-case scenario (further lockdowns, long wait for a vaccine, etc.)
Have enough cash to stay afloat for the next 12 to 18 months
Be creative and innovative to reduce expenses
Be prepared to use Covid-19 as an opportunity for your business
* Tips from Jassim Al Marzooqi and Walid Hanna
The biog
Born: High Wycombe, England
Favourite vehicle: One with solid axels
Favourite camping spot: Anywhere I can get to.
Favourite road trip: My first trip to Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan. The desert they have over there is different and the language made it a bit more challenging.
Favourite spot in the UAE: Al Dhafra. It’s unique, natural, inaccessible, unspoilt.
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The biog
Favourite car: Ferrari
Likes the colour: Black
Best movie: Avatar
Academic qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in media production from the Higher Colleges of Technology and diploma in production from the New York Film Academy
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The specs: 2018 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Cabriolet
Price, base: Dh429,090
Engine 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission Seven-speed automatic
Power 510hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 700Nm @ 1,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.2L / 100km
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