Women with decorative umbrellas dressed in local attire stand outside the Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon, Myanmar. Getty
Women with decorative umbrellas dressed in local attire stand outside the Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon, Myanmar. Getty
Women with decorative umbrellas dressed in local attire stand outside the Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon, Myanmar. Getty
Women with decorative umbrellas dressed in local attire stand outside the Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon, Myanmar. Getty

World

UAE and Myanmar to establish diplomatic ties

The countries agree to discuss plight of Rohingya Muslims

The National

November 11, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

The UAE and Myanmar have agreed to establish diplomatic relations and open channels to discuss the issue of the Rohingya Muslim minority, the official Emirati news agency Wam reported on Tuesday.

Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh, the UAE's Permanent Representative to the UN, signed a communique to establish the ties with her counterpart from Myanmar, Kyaw Moe Tun, in New York.

“They discussed the situation of the Rohingya and the need for opening channels of communication on an issue that is a matter of priority for the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation,” the agency said. The UAE chairs the OIC.

Ms Nusseibeh said the UAE was keen to work with Myanmar "to unlock future partnerships in serving the aspirations of the region's countries and peoples".

It said the UAE had donated five tonnes of medical aid to fight coronavirus and ensured that "Myanmar citizens residing in the UAE were able to cast their ballots" in the general elections in their country this week.

Myanmar’s ruling party said it achieved a resounding victory on Monday in the second parliamentary election since the end of strict military rule, based on its own unofficial tally of votes.

Sunday's election was viewed as a referendum on the democratic government led by Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy, whose reputation overseas was undermined by accusations that treatment of the Rohingya was a genocide.

Our commentary on Brexit
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

Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill

Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.

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