Idex: Warships sail in for Abu Dhabi's defence fair

Several warships have arrived in Abu Dhabi ahead of Sunday's major defence fair.

The ships steamed down the city's Mussaffah channel to their berths at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec).

At least five ships made the journey on Thursday including an Emirati vessel and one from Pakistan.

Images of the voyage showed the vessels sailing past Abu Dhabi landmarks such as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

They were met with a reception and band on arrival.

The arrival of vessels marks the final preparations before the opening of the International Defence Exhibition (Idex) and the Naval Defence Exhibition (Navdex) on Sunday.

Idex is the region's biggest defence fair displaying the most advanced military hardware on the planet where billions of dirhams of deals are usually sealed. The five-day biennial event features hundreds of defence companies, live military drills and aerial displays from Al Fursan, the UAE's aerobatics team.

It will be the first major in-person exhibition held in Abu Dhabi since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out. Teams at the sprawling complex are working 24 hours a day, seven days a week to make sure the event is a success.

Final preparations for Idex - In pictures

Workers set up in preparation for Navdex and Idex at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition centre Marina. Khushnum Bhandari for The National
Halls are prepared to display advanced military hardware from companies from around the world. Khushnum Bhandari for The National
Construction under way at Adnec in preparation for Idex and Navdex this month. Khushnum Bhandari for The National
Saeed Al Mansoori, executive director of Capital Events gives a media tour of Idex and Navdex at Adnec. Khushnum Bhandari for The National
Workers set up in preparation for Navdex and Idex at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition centre Marina. Khushnum Bhandari for The National
Preparations are under way at Adnec ahead of Idex and Navdex. Khushnum Bhandari for The National
Workers set up in preparation for Navdex and Idex at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition centre Marina. Khushnum Bhandari for The National

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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

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Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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Idex: Warships sail in for Abu Dhabi's defence fair

Several naval vessels sail to Abu Dhabi's National Exhibition Centre