• Railroad workers preparing tracks at a depot in January 2022. There has been rapid progress on a new line that will eventually carry passengers. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
    Railroad workers preparing tracks at a depot in January 2022. There has been rapid progress on a new line that will eventually carry passengers. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
  • The new Etihad Rail line will connect 11 cities and areas across the UAE from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah in the north.
    The new Etihad Rail line will connect 11 cities and areas across the UAE from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah in the north.
  • Work on the railway at Saih Shuaib.
    Work on the railway at Saih Shuaib.
  • Etihad Rail workers on a railroad overpass along the E77 and E611 highway junction in Dubai.
    Etihad Rail workers on a railroad overpass along the E77 and E611 highway junction in Dubai.
  • The overpass view along the E77 and E611 highway junction.
    The overpass view along the E77 and E611 highway junction.
  • Etihad Rail says stations will celebrate the joy of travelling and designs will speak to regional traditions.
    Etihad Rail says stations will celebrate the joy of travelling and designs will speak to regional traditions.
  • Some of the new stations will be built in the cities but the locations have not been yet announced.
    Some of the new stations will be built in the cities but the locations have not been yet announced.
  • The Abu Dhabi to Dubai line is central to the project.
    The Abu Dhabi to Dubai line is central to the project.
  • The train driver takes the diesel inspection line down the tracks.
    The train driver takes the diesel inspection line down the tracks.
  • The Abu Dhabi to Dubai section of the track runs parallel to the Emirates Road (E611) motorway.
    The Abu Dhabi to Dubai section of the track runs parallel to the Emirates Road (E611) motorway.
  • Newly laid tracks at the Dubai South area.
    Newly laid tracks at the Dubai South area.
  • Railroad workers preparing tracks.
    Railroad workers preparing tracks.
  • An Etihad Rail worker on the Abu Dhabi to Dubai line.
    An Etihad Rail worker on the Abu Dhabi to Dubai line.
  • An Etihad Rail depot at Saih Shuaib.
    An Etihad Rail depot at Saih Shuaib.
  • Passengers will also be able to use park and rides.
    Passengers will also be able to use park and rides.
  • Passengers can expect travel time of 50 minutes between Abu Dhabi and Dubai and about 100 minutes from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah.
    Passengers can expect travel time of 50 minutes between Abu Dhabi and Dubai and about 100 minutes from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah.
  • Construction of the UAE-wide network is advancing rapidly with close to 70 per cent of the twin-track route complete.
    Construction of the UAE-wide network is advancing rapidly with close to 70 per cent of the twin-track route complete.
  • The addition of the passenger rail service marked an important moment for Etihad Rail since its establishment in 2009.
    The addition of the passenger rail service marked an important moment for Etihad Rail since its establishment in 2009.
  • The rail track snakes through the desert.
    The rail track snakes through the desert.
  • An Etihad Rail employee on the inspection line.
    An Etihad Rail employee on the inspection line.
  • Three Etihad Rail workers take a rest, with the inspection train on right.
    Three Etihad Rail workers take a rest, with the inspection train on right.
  • Stage two of the project joins Ghuweifat on the border with Saudi Arabia to Fujairah on the east coast in a line running for about 1,200km.
    Stage two of the project joins Ghuweifat on the border with Saudi Arabia to Fujairah on the east coast in a line running for about 1,200km.
  • The passenger service is expected to carry more than 36 million passengers annually by the end of the decade.
    The passenger service is expected to carry more than 36 million passengers annually by the end of the decade.

UAE

Transport

Etihad Rail meets Dubai's Sheikh Zayed Road in new milestone

Bridge will allow trains to enter Jebel Ali terminal

Sarah Forster
Sarah Forster

June 22, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Latest: First passenger station to be built in Fujairah city

Developers of the Etihad Rail train line have released a video showing the project's progress.

Aerial footage shot using drones shows the development of the rail bridge on the E11, Sheikh Zayed Road, in Dubai.

The bridge will allow carriages to access the Jebal Ali rail terminal, allowing the movement of goods locally and internationally.

Last month, Etihad Rail released footage that showed the construction of the UAE's highest railway bridge, in Fujairah.

The video, posted to its social media account, shows work well under way on the 600-metre bridge in Al Bithnah.

The bridge passes through the Hajar Mountains, with towns and farms visible in the background.

"The National Railway Network will play a pivotal role in providing new economic opportunities, facilitate trade and transportation of freight across the country, resulting in increased levels of efficiency and productivity while driving the economic growth of the country," the company said on Twitter.

The 1,200-kilometre line will slash the journey time from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah to one hour and 40 minutes, stretching from the UAE border with Saudi Arabia in the west to Oman in the east.

Dubai communities along the Etihad Rail line – in pictures

  • Al Furjan: the average sales price of an apartment as of May 2022 is Dh595,187 and the average sales price of a villa is Dh2.1m. All pricing supplied by Allsopp & Allsopp. Photo: Nakheel
    Al Furjan: the average sales price of an apartment as of May 2022 is Dh595,187 and the average sales price of a villa is Dh2.1m. All pricing supplied by Allsopp & Allsopp. Photo: Nakheel
  • Arabian Ranches 2: A villa can be purchased for, on average, Dh5,56m. Photo: Better Homes
    Arabian Ranches 2: A villa can be purchased for, on average, Dh5,56m. Photo: Better Homes
  • Damac Hills: An apartment can be purchased for an average price of Dh941,250 and villas in the area are selling for an average price of Dh3,7m. Pawan Singh / The National
    Damac Hills: An apartment can be purchased for an average price of Dh941,250 and villas in the area are selling for an average price of Dh3,7m. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Green Community in Dubai investment Park: In East a villa can be purchased for an average price of Dh3,232m and in the Green Community West, villas can be purchased for Dh3,575m. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Green Community in Dubai investment Park: In East a villa can be purchased for an average price of Dh3,232m and in the Green Community West, villas can be purchased for Dh3,575m. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Mudon: The average price of a villa is Dh2,795m. Satish Kumar / The National
    Mudon: The average price of a villa is Dh2,795m. Satish Kumar / The National
  • Mira: A villa can be purchased for an average price of Dh2,296m. Photo: Emaar
    Mira: A villa can be purchased for an average price of Dh2,296m. Photo: Emaar
  • Town Square: the average sales price of a villa is Dh1,926m. Pawan Singh / The National
    Town Square: the average sales price of a villa is Dh1,926m. Pawan Singh / The National
Brief scores:

Pakistan (1st innings) 181: Babar 71; Olivier 6-37

South Africa (1st innings) 223: Bavuma 53; Amir 4-62

Pakistan (2nd innings) 190: Masood 65, Imam 57; Olivier 5-59

Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The specs

Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now

Ponti

Sharlene Teo, Pan Macmillan

THE SPECS

BMW X7 xDrive 50i

Engine: 4.4-litre V8

Transmission: Eight-speed Steptronic transmission

Power: 462hp

Torque: 650Nm

Price: Dh600,000

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

Kareem Shaheen on Canada
Afghanistan Premier League - at a glance

Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Fixtures:

Tue, Oct 16, 8pm: Kandahar Knights v Kabul Zwanan; Wed, Oct 17, 4pm: Balkh Legends v Nangarhar Leopards; 8pm: Kandahar Knights v Paktia Panthers; Thu, Oct 18, 4pm: Balkh Legends v Kandahar Knights; 8pm: Kabul Zwanan v Paktia Panthers; Fri, Oct 19, 8pm: First semi-final; Sat, Oct 20, 8pm: Second semi-final; Sun, Oct 21, 8pm: final

Table:

1. Balkh Legends 6 5 1 10

2. Paktia Panthers 6 4 2 8

3. Kabul Zwanan 6 3 3 6

4. Nagarhar Leopards 7 2 5 4

5. Kandahar Knights 5 1 4 2

THE BIO

Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13 

Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier

Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife 

What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents. 

Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.

Profile of Bitex UAE

Date of launch: November 2018

Founder: Monark Modi

Based: Business Bay, Dubai

Sector: Financial services

Size: Eight employees

Investors: Self-funded to date with $1m of personal savings

Company profile

Name: Steppi

Founders: Joe Franklin and Milos Savic

Launched: February 2020

Size: 10,000 users by the end of July and a goal of 200,000 users by the end of the year

Employees: Five

Based: Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai

Financing stage: Two seed rounds – the first sourced from angel investors and the founders' personal savings

Second round raised Dh720,000 from silent investors in June this year

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Lamsa

Founder: Badr Ward

Launched: 2014

Employees: 60

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: EdTech

Funding to date: $15 million

The Travel Diaries of Albert Einstein The Far East, Palestine, and Spain, 1922 – 1923
Editor Ze’ev Rosenkranz
​​​​​​​Princeton

WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

More about coronavirus
Whiile you're here
On Women's Day
Mercedes V250 Avantgarde specs

Engine: 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder turbo

Gearbox: 7-speed automatic

Power: 211hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 350Nm

Fuel economy, combined: 6.0 l/100 km

Price: Dh235,000

Long read

Mageed Yahia, director of WFP in UAE: Coronavirus knows no borders, and neither should the response

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204-cyl%20turbo%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E190hp%20at%205%2C600rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E320Nm%20at%201%2C500-4%2C000rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.9L%2F100km%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh119%2C900%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Updated: June 23, 2022, 10:04 AM
Etihad RailDubai