JERUSALEM // South Sudan's road to independence was the "proper model" and should be followed by the Palestinians, Israel's deputy foreign minister said, during a visit by the country's president.
It was Salva Kiir's first trip to the country.
"This is a working visit of just one day," a diplomatic source said, indicating that the aim was to keep the visit "low profile" at the request of South Sudan.
Mr Kiir was met on arrival by the deputy foreign minister, Danny Ayalon. South Sudan's route to independence - implementing a peace deal with Khartoum, after which it joined the UN - was "the proper model" that should also be adopted by the Palestinians, said Mr Ayalon.
"The story of your independence ought to set a very good example for anyone interested in achieving a lasting peace in the Middle East. A country cannot emerge virtually," he added, referring to Palestinian attempts to secure full UN membership.
Mr Kiir, who arrived late on Monday, visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust museum yesterday before holding talks with his Israeli counterpart, Shimon Peres.
He was also due to have a working lunch with the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and to meet the defence minister, Ehud Barak, and the foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman.
Israel established full diplomatic relations with Mr Kiir's government shortly after it declared independence in July following a 22-year civil war with the mostly Muslim north.
Israel does not have relations with Khartoum, which it has accused of serving as a base for militants.
Israel's ties with the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement, which is now the south's ruling party, have reportedly been close for a long time.
Israel allegedly provided arms during the war, although neither side has publicly acknowledged any weapons transfers.
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
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- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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
