November 20, 2022

FTA sets 31 December 2022 as deadline to apply for re-determination of administrative penalties on taxes

ABU DHABI, The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has called on registered taxpayers to benefit from the decision to Re-determine Administrative Penalties on taxes to be worth 30% of the total outstanding amount of penalties that were not paid before 28th June 2021, and to ensure they meet the conditions set out in the Cabinet Decision on re-determining administrative penalties imposed on tax law violations in the UAE.

The FTA stressed that taxpayers who are eligible to benefit from the decision must complete all related procedures through the e-services portal on its official website before 31st December 2022 to be able to benefit from these facilities.

In a press statement issued today, the Authority explained that according to the relevant Cabinet Decision, which went into effect on 1st January 2022, tax registrants who were unable to meet the criteria for benefiting from the re-determination by 21st December 2021 will be able to apply for re-determining administrative penalties to be equal to 30% of the total outstanding fines by fulfilling the necessary conditions no later than 31st December 2022.

The Federal Tax Authority clarified that the decision outlined three conditions that need to be met in order to benefit from the re-determination of administrative penalties imposed before 28 June 2021. First, the administrative penalty must be imposed under Cabinet Decision No. (40) of 2017 before 28 June 2021, and remain outstanding. Second, the tax registrant needs to have settled all due Payable Tax by 31 December 2021. And third, the tax registrant must have paid 30% of the total unsettled administrative penalties due until 28 June 2021 no later than 31 December 2022.

The Authority indicated that should the registrant meet all conditions, the new value of the penalties will be equal to 30% of the total unpaid penalties, which will appear on the registrant’s account in the FTA’s e-Services system after 31 December 2022.

The FTA also noted that it is essential for taxpayers to pay their due payable tax before the due date to avoid any late payment penalties. In the same regard, the Authority cautioned that bank transfers can take up to three working days to process the payment; hence, the period must be taken into consideration to ensure that FTA receives the payment before the due date.

Source: Emirates News Agency

November 20, 2022

ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX: VERSTAPPEN WINS SEASON FINALE

Dutch World Champion Max Verstappen concluded the 2022 season of the Formula One World Championship by winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the 22nd and final round at Yas Marina Circuit, achieving his 15th victory this year, according to “Agence France-Presse”.

Charles Leclerc of Monaco, Ferrari’s driver, snatched the championship runner-up position after finishing second in the UAE capital versus Mexican Sergio Perez, third driver of Red Bull, after they entered the last race with equal points.

The German Sebastian Vettel, the four-time world champion, took part in his final race, finishing 10th.

Source: National News Agency

November 20, 2022

Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre announces ‘Spotlight on Rights’ grant programme recipients

ABU DHABI, The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), has announced the recipients of the ‘Spotlight on Rights’ grant programme, which supports translations from and into the Arabic language, as well as the production of digital and audio titles.

The call for applications was announced in May 2022 during the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF). More than 2,000 applications were received, almost double from the 1,037 received last year. So far this year, 135 applicants have received support, with 71 publishing houses from 16 countries benefiting from the programme.

Dr. Ali nin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC, said, “The enthusiasm we have seen among publishers from all around the world for the ‘Spotlight on Rights’ programme strengthens our resolution at the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre to encourage talented Arab writers, translators, and audio-visual content creators. This will not only support creativity, translation, and publishing in Arabic, but also generate interest in learning the language among native speakers and non-speakers. The programme reminds us the importance of intellectual property rights and publishing best practices in the region, especially in the field of digital content.”

Since its launch in 2009, the programme has strengthened the relationship between the ALC and Arab and international publishers, supporting the publication of more than 900 books with over 120 publishers across various categories, including children’s literature, science, history, and social sciences, among others.

The ‘Spotlight on Rights’ grant programme supports the ALC’s mission to spread Arab culture and literature internationally across all fields of knowledge, both in Arabic and in other languages. The initiative also encourages the exchange of book rights between Arab and international publishing houses, to translate more works from and into Arabic, and offers the opportunity to build and develop long-term relationships with publishers participating in the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair.

The programme offers grants up to AED14,700 for printed books translated into or from Arabic, while the grants for conversion from print to e-book or audiobook format are up to AED7,400 for each book.

Source: Emirates News Agency

November 20, 2022

Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre signs memorandum of understanding with UAE University at Al Ain Book Festival

AL AIN, The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) during this year’s Al Ain Book Festival.

The MoU was signed by Dr. Ali Bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC, and Prof. Ghaleb Al Breiki, Acting Vice Chancellor of UAEU, in the presence of academics and Arabic language experts.

The MoU is part of the ALC’s effort to expand cooperation with scientific and academic institutions in the UAE and around the world. The agreement will also encourage research in the field of Arabic language studies, supported by the UAEU’s extensive expertise as a leading university in the region.

Organised by the ALC, Al Ain Book Festival 2022 is taking place from 14-20 November across five landmark sites across the city of Al Ain.

Dr. Bin Tamim said, “This memorandum of understanding will help support studies and research in various linguistic fields, safeguarding the role of the Arabic language as both a marker of national and cultural identity and a bridge between past and present.”

Prof. Al Breiki said, “With this agreement, we will also promote and revitalise Arabic language events, which we consider to be both a national and cultural heritage.”

The agreement will support the ALC’s efforts to develop, promote and preserve the Arabic language, and to facilitate its learning across different communities. The two parties will benefit from each other’s academic expertise and advanced resources and facilities, such as the e-library database, as well as promoting the ALC’s book fairs, organising student trips to these events, and participating in their programmes.

The ALC and UAEU will organise academic and creative writing workshops, cultural evenings and events, and joint scientific conferences, including an international tri-annual conference. The UAEU will use its internal newsletter to promote ALC events, in addition to supporting the Centre in the fields of scientific and educational research.

As per the MoU, the two institutions are now officially strategic partners and will work to highlight and implement their joint projects using various channels of communication, by forming a joint task force. Additionally, professors and researchers at the UAEU will publish in the ALC’s journal of Arab studies.

Source: Emirates News Agency

November 20, 2022

Abu Dhabi launches ‘Smart Manufacturing Index’ to facilitate transition to Industry 4.0

The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) has announced the launch of the ‘Abu Dhabi Smart Manufacturing Index’, that guides and facilitates private sector players’ transition to Industry 4.0 technologies, applications, and methods as part of its rolling out of the initiatives and objectives set forth by the Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy.

Re-affirming the attributes of the Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy, which was launched in June, the push by the Government of Abu Dhabi to expedite adoption of Industry 4.0 across all manufacturing and industrial players is meant to transform the state of the sector as it further aligns with international benchmarks and best practices. The launch of the ‘Abu Dhabi Smart Manufacturing Index’ provides a critical, comprehensive framework for assessing capabilities of industrial facilities, identifying gaps, and recommending practical steps for reaching the targeted Industry 4.0 maturity.

To drive innovation and enhance competitiveness in the industrial sector, the Index empowers manufacturers with the necessary knowledge and training to initiate an Industry 4.0 transformation journey and scale up with speed and quality. It breaks down sophisticated concepts into six building blocks to provide a clear and easy-to-follow roadmap, which starts by evaluating a production facility’s current state, followed by ways to raise readiness levels, proposed steps necessary for transforming their facilities, and identifying optimal production solutions to help reap gains of shifting to advanced manufacturing.

H.E. Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of ADDED, said: “The Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy has ushered in a new era, not only for the manufacturing sector, but for the whole economic landscape in the region. To further enhance a smart, circular, and sustainable economy, we are forging ahead with taking the manufacturing sector to the next level by empowering industrial facilities to keep pace with latest trends and solutions.”

H.E. Al Shorafa further explains: “Backed by strong fundamentals and a unique business ecosystem, Abu Dhabi continues to cement its status as a leading industrial hub in the region. We believe it is of paramount importance to equip manufacturers with vital, seamless, and effective mechanisms to transition to Industry 4.0 technologies and applications to drive future growth, and pre-empt for shifts in demand and supply. The ‘Abu Dhabi Smart Manufacturing Index’ addresses all aspects of the transition to methods of tomorrow’s manufacturing.”

Since the launch of Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy, ADDED has been rolling out initiatives and partnering with leading global institutions to deliver the strategy’s ambitious objectives, including the targeted growth of the sector to AED 172 billion, creating 13,600 new jobs, and increasing the Emirate’s non-oil exports to AED178.8 billion by 2031.

ADDED recently launched the Land Incentives programme, which offers long term lease contracts for industrial land through rental rebate with rates as low as AED 5 per square meter to promote manufacturers’ growth and development by enhancing capital expenditures and cash-flow management.

ADDED also expanded the Energy Tariff Incentive Programme (ETIP 2.0) by offering preferential rates for gas and electricity to industrial sector based on eligibility criteria that include economic impact, Emiratisation rate, and energy management efficiency.

Furthermore, ADDED continues to collaborate with major global players to enhance the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem and build the technical capabilities of the industrial workforce to switch to Industry 4.0 technologies, including training and upskilling talents and specialists.

During the first six months of 2022, ADDED’s Industrial Development Bureau (IDB) has assessed readiness of 76 facilities to transition to Industry 4.0 technologies.

IDB is managing the ‘Abu Dhabi Smart Manufacturing Index’ and will be working closely with manufacturers and related entities to ensure successful execution during the next period.

Source: Department of Economic Development – Abu Dhabi