KOLKATA // As Bangladesh prepares to hold its first election in seven years on Monday, Khaleda Zia, a former prime minister, urged people to vote for the four-party alliance led by her Bangladesh Nationalist Party [BNP] if they wanted to "save Islam".
"Save the country and Islam by voting for our alliance, and don't cast your vote for those who defamed the religion," Mrs Zia said this week during a rally at a madrasa in the eastern Bangladesh city of Sylhet.
"The country will be saved if you vote for our alliance. On the other hand, the country's independence and sovereignty will be jeopardised if you vote for those who want to install a puppet government and sell the country away," she said.
Attacking her political rivals, Mrs Zia, who served as prime minister twice (from 1991 to 1996 and 2001-2006), added that "some vested interests who are guided by foreign powers" are trying to wrongly brand Bangladesh a land of Islamic militants.
Mrs Zia's charges have been refuted as "baseless" by Sheikh Hasina Wajed, also a former prime minister and a candidate of Maha Jot or Grand Alliance, which is led by her party, the Awami League.
Sheikh Hasina said that during the BNP-Jamaat regime the government had indulged in mass-scale corruption, plundered the country's wealth and allowed the widespread growth of religious extremist groups.
"Everyone knows how she was caught in corruption cases and siphoned the nation's assets out of the country. Such a corrupt person should not raise the issue of religion," said Sheikh Hasina, whose rivalry with Mrs Zia is internationally known. The pair have been labelled "battling begums".
Both Mrs Zia and Sheikh Hasina have served time in jail on corruption charges. Many of Mrs Zia's political associates as well as her two sons have also been jailed.
Hussain Mohammad Ershad, chairman of Jatiya Party, which is an ally of Maha Jot, accused Mrs Zia of telling a "big lie", calling the accusations against Sheikh Hasina "ridiculous".
He said Mrs Zia was more interested in benefiting her family and herself than in helping average citizens.
"Who disgraced the country by rearing up militant activists in the country? Who created Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh [a banned Islamist outfit]? Who smuggled money from multinational companies in kickbacks out of the country?" Mr Ershad said at a rally this week.
"If BNP comes to power, Bangladesh will be ravaged by corruption again and the country will turn to a den of religious extremism? For political interests, they are making false propaganda about our alliance, branding us anti-Muslims and anti-Islam.
"They have told people that [if Sheikh Hasina is elected] Muslims would not be allowed to sport beards, sacrifice animals, or pray five times a day and the call to prayer would not be heard from any mosque. These are irresponsible, false and misleading statements."
Political analysts, most of whom believe that Maha Jot will be able to form a government after Monday's vote, said BNP-Jamaat alliance leaders are concerned about their future should they lose the election.
"Everyone has been corrupt here. Politicians in power, government officials and even officers of police were corrupt," said Makdum Bin Yusuf, the chief executive of a Dhaka-based marketing agency.
"It is difficult to get a totally honest politician in Bangladesh. Yet people will vote for a party which is likely to be less corrupt. On this count Sheikh Hasina's alliance is ahead of its rival in this race for forming a government. I don't think there is anyone in Bangladesh who really believes that Maha Jot is anti-Muslim or anti-Islam. It's a ridiculous allegation."
The country's military-backed interim government has promised the fairest and most peaceful election in the nation's history. The last time Bangladesh prepared for elections, in 2006, months of strikes and street violence forced the army to step in.
aziz@thenational.ae
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
Company profile
Date started: January, 2014
Founders: Mike Dawson, Varuna Singh, and Benita Rowe
Based: Dubai
Sector: Education technology
Size: Five employees
Investment: $100,000 from the ExpoLive Innovation Grant programme in 2018 and an initial $30,000 pre-seed investment from the Turn8 Accelerator in 2014. Most of the projects are government funded.
Partners/incubators: Turn8 Accelerator; In5 Innovation Centre; Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Programme; Dubai Future Accelerators; FHI 360; VSO and Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3)
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Indian construction workers stranded in Ajman with unpaid dues
List of officials:
Referees: Chris Broad, David Boon, Jeff Crowe, Andy Pycroft, Ranjan Madugalle and Richie Richardson.
Umpires: Aleem Dar, Kumara Dharmasena, Marais Erasmus, Chris Gaffaney, Ian Gould, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Nigel Llong, Bruce Oxenford, Ruchira Palliyaguruge, Sundaram Ravi, Paul Reiffel, Rod Tucker, Michael Gough, Joel Wilson and Paul Wilson.
5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
How Filipinos in the UAE invest
A recent survey of 10,000 Filipino expatriates in the UAE found that 82 per cent have plans to invest, primarily in property. This is significantly higher than the 2014 poll showing only two out of 10 Filipinos planned to invest.
Fifty-five percent said they plan to invest in property, according to the poll conducted by the New Perspective Media Group, organiser of the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition. Acquiring a franchised business or starting up a small business was preferred by 25 per cent and 15 per cent said they will invest in mutual funds. The rest said they are keen to invest in insurance (3 per cent) and gold (2 per cent).
Of the 5,500 respondents who preferred property as their primary investment, 54 per cent said they plan to make the purchase within the next year. Manila was the top location, preferred by 53 per cent.
What is hepatitis?
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, which can lead to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer.
There are 5 main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E.
Hepatitis C is mostly transmitted through exposure to infective blood. This can occur through blood transfusions, contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injecting drugs. Sexual transmission is also possible, but is much less common.
People infected with hepatitis C experience few or no symptoms, meaning they can live with the virus for years without being diagnosed. This delay in treatment can increase the risk of significant liver damage.
There are an estimated 170 million carriers of Hepatitis C around the world.
The virus causes approximately 399,000 fatalities each year worldwide, according to WHO.
