Author: Dr Issac PJ

The UAE’s Ministry of Finance has introduced sweeping amendments to the country’s tax procedures framework, tightening refund timelines, extending audit powers and clarifying disclosure rules in a move aimed at strengthening compliance and improving transparency across all federal taxes.The changes, which take effect from April 1, 2026, update the Executive Regulations of the UAE Tax Procedures Law following earlier amendments introduced under Federal Decree-Law No. 17 of 2025. Together, the reforms reshape how businesses handle tax errors, refunds, documentation and regulatory oversight.One of the most significant updates affects tax refund claims. Under the revised framework, companies can no longer carry…

Dubai’s residential leasing market is entering a more selective phase amid regional geopolitical tensions, but fresh data from property consultancies suggests the emirate’s real estate sector remains fundamentally resilient, supported by steady landlord confidence, continued off-plan activity and sustained end-user demand across key communities.New insights from Betterhomes, one of Dubai’s longest-established real estate brokerages, and Smart Bricks, a proptech analytics platform tracking landlord behaviour across UAE property portals, show that while tenant enquiries have softened compared with last year’s exceptionally strong cycle, the market is adjusting rather than weakening — reinforcing Dubai’s reputation as one of the region’s most shock-resistant…

The Middle East war is sending fresh tremors through the global economy, but Gulf heavyweights such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia are emerging as anchors of stability, supported by strong sovereign wealth buffers, resilient non-oil growth and robust external balances even as fuel-importing economies across Asia, Europe and Africa face mounting inflation and widening deficits.IMF economists say the shock is global but sharply uneven in its transmission, with energy exporters benefiting from stronger fiscal positions while import-dependent economies absorb the brunt of higher fuel and supply-chain costs.“The shock is global, yet asymmetric,” said Jihad Azour, director of the IMF’s…

Women-led technology startups in the UAE are set to receive a fresh funding and mentorship push as Standard Chartered Foundation launched the eighth edition of its Women in Tech Accelerator, offering founders access to $150,000 in equity-free grants, investor-readiness training and global networks in support of the country’s innovation-driven growth strategy under the We the UAE 2031 vision.The programme, delivered in partnership with Village Capital, a global impact investment firm, and C3, a UAE-based B Corp-certified social impact consultancy, targets early-stage women entrepreneurs building scalable technology solutions aligned with the UAE’s transition toward a knowledge-based economy.Rola Abu Manneh, CEO for…

The war involving Iran is entering a far more dangerous phase for the global economy, with energy markets now bracing for a potential strike on Kharg Island — Tehran’s main oil export hub — that analysts warn could trigger a full-scale supply shock within weeks if the conflict intensifies further.At the same time, tanker disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz — the artery carrying about one-fifth of the world’s oil — are already tightening physical crude availability across Asia and Europe. With US forces expanding their military presence across the Gulf and contingency scenarios increasingly focused on neutralising Kharg if…

Ahead of World Backup Day, new research by Kaspersky highlights a sharp shift in how residents in the UAE manage their most valuable personal information, with an overwhelming 92 per cent of users now storing sensitive data digitally—from Emirates ID copies and financial details to medical records and photo archives.The findings reflect the UAE’s rapid transition to a digitally enabled society, where cloud services, e-government platforms and mobile ecosystems are increasingly central to everyday life.   However, cybersecurity experts warn that convenience does not automatically translate into safety, underscoring the need for stronger backup habits and smarter protection strategies.According to…

In a move set to deepen transparency across the UAE’s financial ecosystem, Etihad Credit Bureau has strengthened its credit reporting framework by integrating non-banking financial data from key government entities—an upgrade expected to significantly sharpen how lenders, regulators, employers and investors assess corporate behaviour and payment discipline.The latest expansion brings new datasets from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Abu Dhabi Pension Fund into company credit reports, marking a major shift in how business risk is evaluated in the UAE.Traditionally, credit assessments relied largely on banking relationships, loan repayment histories and cheque performance. By…

The UAE’s business and investment ecosystem is once again demonstrating its hallmark resilience as policymakers, regulators, global institutions and private-sector leaders move in concert to safeguard stability and sustain growth despite geopolitical turbulence across the region.From swift liquidity support by the Central Bank of the UAE to continued expansion in financial services, real estate and logistics, the message emerging across markets is clear: the Emirates’ economic model remains structurally strong, diversified and forward-looking. While the latest regional flare-ups have prompted a temporary recalibration in investor timelines and risk positioning, there is little evidence of capital flight or structural disruption. Instead, economists…

Abu Dhabi sovereign investor Mubadala Investment Company has reaffirmed confidence in its long-term global investment strategy despite ongoing regional tensions, with chief executive Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak saying the fund is drawing on the UAE’s proven resilience to “create opportunity from disruption.”In a message to partners and stakeholders worldwide, Al Mubarak said the UAE’s institutions had responded to the conflict with “determination, agility and a clear priority on the safety and well-being of the country’s residents,” while emphasising that Mubadala continues to operate normally across its global portfolio.“Each challenge reinforces the path we are on, with dexterity and coordination enabling…

Abu Dhabi has introduced a new package of regulatory decisions to strengthen governance across its real estate sector, reinforcing investor protection and transparency at a time when the emirate’s property market is posting record growth and attracting rising foreign participation.The reforms, announced by the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), implement amendments to the emirate’s real estate law and introduce clearer rules governing escrow accounts, jointly owned properties, owners’ committees and compensation procedures linked to cancelled off-plan projects.The measures come as Abu Dhabi’s property market recorded a record Dh142 billion in transactions across 42,814 deals in 2025, representing about a…