Iran and Qatar have formed a joint trade and private sector committees to enhance their ties, the Iranian state-run IRNA news agency said on Wednesday.
Relations between Doha and Tehran has been a cause for concern for the US and Gulf Arab states who accuse Iran of meddling into regional affairs and arming proxy groups in the region.
"The two states have signed various memorandum of understandings for co-operation in a variety of areas during the seventh Joint Economic Committee meeting," a statement by IRNA said.
A commercial adviser will be sent to their embassies in Tehran and Doha to ensure the deal goes through.
The agreements stipulate that the ports of the two countries will be used to boost the export and import of goods. Medical agreements between the two were also signed in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Tehran registered a record 13,843 new cases on Wednesday, the health ministry said, pushing the tally to 894,385.
The country recorded 469 deaths in the preceding 24 hours, pushing the number of deaths to 46,207.
Iran's health officials have voiced alarm over a surge in infections, urging the public to adhere to health protocols, including wearing face masks and social distancing.
Iran has been the centre of the pandemic in the region since the virus emerged earlier this year.
“Co-operation between Qatar and Iran has been enhanced in the fields of pharmaceutical and medical equipment, higher education and scientific research,” IRNA said.
The meeting this week, held in Iran's central Isfahan province, was attended by the Qatari ambassador to Tehran, Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani, and the heads of the Chamber of Commerce, as well as representatives of the relevant authorities from each side, according to IRNA.
Iran’s Energy Minister, Reza Ardakanian visited Doha last month to push for co-operation between Tehran and Doha in the areas of agriculture, electricity, water and gas.
In 2017, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt severed diplomatic ties with Qatar over its funding of terrorism and ties to extremist groups.
The talks between the Qatari and Iranian officials could widen the rift between Doha and the Arab quartet
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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
