UAE Says it Seeks to Commit to Int’l Standards, Prevent Malicious Practices via Corporate Tax

The agreement of the UAE and Kuwait aims to encourage and facilitate cooperation in data and legislative regulations with the aim of enhancing the financial acumen of investors in both countries.  Asharq Al-Awsat
The agreement of the UAE and Kuwait aims to encourage and facilitate cooperation in data and legislative regulations with the aim of enhancing the financial acumen of investors in both countries. Asharq Al-Awsat
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UAE Says it Seeks to Commit to Int’l Standards, Prevent Malicious Practices via Corporate Tax

The agreement of the UAE and Kuwait aims to encourage and facilitate cooperation in data and legislative regulations with the aim of enhancing the financial acumen of investors in both countries.  Asharq Al-Awsat
The agreement of the UAE and Kuwait aims to encourage and facilitate cooperation in data and legislative regulations with the aim of enhancing the financial acumen of investors in both countries. Asharq Al-Awsat

Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Finance Younis Al-Khoori said that the use of federal tax on companies as of June 2023 strengthens the UAE’s commitment to meet international standards for tax transparency and the prevention of harmful tax practices.

It is also an integral part in encouraging economic growth, attracting investment, and supporting fifty projects.

The total revenue collected from fees for services provided by the central government last year was 26 billion dirhams ($7 billion), while the value of revenues and amounts collected through e-dirham for 2021 was more than 14.33 billion dirhams ($3.9 billion), according to the Emirati official.

Commenting on the announcement of the introduction of the Central Corporate Tax, he explained that the announcement was a result of the Government strategy led by the Ministry of Finance to strengthen the state.

The purpose of the strategy is to reinforce the state’s commitment to meet international standards for tax transparency and the prevention of malicious tax practices, he continued.

Corporate taxation is based on international best practices that aim to strengthen the UAE’s position as a leading global hub for trade and investment, and to accelerate the country’s growth and strategic goals’ achievement.

In support of the state’s direction in improving and diversifying non-oil revenue sources, the corporate tax policy aims to diversify the state government’s revenue resources needed to create jobs, finance public spending, and improve capital infrastructure projects and the infrastructure for social services.

Al-Khoori added that corporate tax is an integral part of economic policies that support economic growth and attract investment, leading to the promotion of the country’s economic growth and support for fifty projects and other strategic goals.

He pointed out that the Finance Ministry had announced at the end of January 2022 that it would introduce a federal tax on business profits for the fiscal years beginning on or after June 1, 2023.

The corporate tax system used in the country is one of the most competitive in the world.

There the tax will be levied at a base rate of 9 percent and a profit of zero percent on taxable profits not exceeding 375,000 dirhams ($100,000) to support the SMEs.

Moreover, Boursa Kuwait and Kuwait Clearing Company signed a joint agreement of understanding with Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) to standardize and define operational, administrative, and technical procedures.

The MoU also seeks to achieve effective cooperation with regards to listing, trading and joint central depository operations.

Under the terms of the agreement, the parties agreed to take necessary measures to encourage and facilitate cooperation in the areas of data exchange, the standardization of legislative regulations, and enhancing the financial acumen of investors in both countries.



Oil Trims Gains on Dollar Strength, Tight Supplies Provide Support

FILE PHOTO: An oil pump jack is seen at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An oil pump jack is seen at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder/File Photo
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Oil Trims Gains on Dollar Strength, Tight Supplies Provide Support

FILE PHOTO: An oil pump jack is seen at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An oil pump jack is seen at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder/File Photo

Oil prices trimmed earlier gains on Wednesday as the dollar strengthened but continued to find support from a tightening of supplies from Russia and other OPEC members and a drop in US crude stocks.

Brent crude was up 21 cents, or 0.27%, at $77.26 a barrel at 1424 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude climbed 27 cents, or 0.36%, to $74.52.

Both benchmarks had risen more than 1% earlier in the session, but pared gains on a strengthening US dollar.

"Crude oil took a minor tumble in response to a strengthening dollar following news reports that Trump is considering declaring a national economic emergency to provide legal ground for universal tariffs," added Ole Hansen, analyst at Saxo Bank.

A stronger dollar makes oil more expensive for holders of other currencies.

"The drop (in oil prices) seems to be driven by a general shift in risk sentiment with European equity markets falling and the USD getting stronger," said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

Oil output from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries fell in December after two months of increases, a Reuters survey showed.

In Russia, oil output averaged 8.971 million barrels a day in December, below the country's target, Bloomberg reported citing the energy ministry.

US crude oil stocks fell last week while fuel inventories rose, market sources said, citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday.

Despite the unexpected draw in crude stocks, the significant rise in product inventories was putting those prices under pressure, PVM analyst Tamas Varga said.

Analysts expect oil prices to be on average down this year from 2024 due in part to production increases from non-OPEC countries.

"We are holding to our forecast for Brent crude to average $76/bbl in 2025, down from an average of $80/bbl in 2024," BMI, a division of Fitch Group, said in a client note.