Dubai's status as a world trading hub for gold and diamonds could be threatened by the introduction of VAT in January 2018, industry leaders warned in the first high-profile protest against

On 4 October 2017, the European Commission has set out how it proposes to reform VAT in the EU (https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/business/vat/action-plan-vat/single-vat-area_en). These proposed changes should enter into force in 2022 and are amongst others aimed at tackling cross-border VAT fraud.

On September 29, 2017 the Federal Tax Authority (“FTA”) of the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”) opened its VAT registration portal to allow businesses to register for VAT. The portal is accessible via www.tax.gov.ae.

With defense spending in KSA and UAE reportedly currently around 100 billion USD a year combined, the introduction of VAT on 1 January 2018 in those countries will have an important impact on businesses active in that segment.

The UAE has now published its VAT law

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has now published its VAT law in its Official Gazette

Real estate is an important part of the Gulf economy. Construction fever in the United Arab Emirates is high, especially in Dubai as it prepares for the Expo 2020. The complexities of VAT hit especially the real estate sector.

Over the past decades, the international trade environment has been characterized by a rapidly increasing complexity, both with respect to the business setup and supply chains as to the regulatory environment and safety requirements

The implementation of VAT will be adding an additional layer of complexity to businesses active in the logistics and distribution sector.

On 1 August 2017, the United Arab Emirates published its Federal Tax Procedures Law. The Law constitutes the procedural framework for administering VAT, Excise and possible other future taxes by the Federal Tax Authority.