Day: October 11, 2021

DUBAI, The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has called on official participants in Expo 2020 Dubai to avail the Value Added Tax (VAT) refund scheme for taxes paid on goods and services connected with Expo 2020 Dubai.

The scheme is implemented by the FTA in accordance with UAE Cabinet Decision No. (1) of 2020 on the Refund of Value Added Tax Paid on Goods and Services Connected with Expo 2020 Dubai.

Khalid Ali Al Bustani, Director-General of the FTA, said that the FTA has been cooperating with all relevant authorities to prepare for a smooth and efficient implementation of the procedures for the refund of Value Added Tax paid on goods and services connected with Expo 2020 Dubai.

The FTA has established a daily direct communication channel with the International Participants Bureau of Expo 2020 Dubai to enhance coordination and ensure fast processing of participant applications, whether in regard to VAT registration requests by the participating countries, or processing of refund requests, as well as promptly responding to their enquiries, he added.

Al Bustani stated that the FTA provides a telephone service to facilitate and expedite VAT registration procedures for international participants in Expo 2020 Dubai. The service offers participants clear instructions and details about the registration requirements, delivered by the FTA Registration Department. Priority is given to VAT registration requests from international participants.

He clarified that the FTA had already completed VAT registration processes for several participating countries, and the FTA processes the requests submitted through the electronic system of the VAT refund scheme for goods and services connected with Expo 2020 Dubai. The FTA also processes special VAT refund requests, submitted through the integrated platform office, dedicated to receiving and processing requests by participants not registered for VAT.

“The FTA is applying the mechanism for the refund of VAT paid on goods and services connected with Expo 2020 Dubai through transparent, accurate and facilitated procedures according to best practices,” Al Bustani asserted. This comes as part of its contribution to the intensive efforts of all relevant bodies in the UAE to ensure the success of this international event, which began on the 1st of October 2021 with the participation of 192 countries.

“Expo 2020 Dubai is an important international platform for the United Arab Emirates as it brings the world together for six months and embodies its vision of international cooperation,” he added.

The FTA has issued a comprehensive guide for official participants in Expo 2020 Dubai, which addresses five categories of taxes that can be refunded. The first category is VAT incurred by official participants on goods and services in direct connection with the construction, installation, alteration, decoration, and dismantlement of their exhibition space. The second category is the VAT incurred by the official participants on goods and services in direct connection with the works and activities of organizing and operating the official participant’s exhibition space, as well as any presentations and events taking place within the Expo 2020 site.

The guide highlights a third category, which is the VAT incurred by the official participant on goods and services related to the actual operations of the official participant, provided that the value of each product or service claimed is not less than AED200.

The fourth category is VAT incurred by the official participant in connection with all operations, services, and activities provided for the purpose of participation in Expo 2020 Dubai, whether located within or outside the boundaries of the Expo site. The fifth category is the VAT incurred on the import of goods for personal use of the official participant’s section commissioner general, section staff and the beneficiaries.

The guide clarified that in order to qualify for VAT refunds for expenses under the first and second category (or expenses in relation to several categories, including the first and second category), the official participant must be in possession of a certificate of entitlement issued by Expo 2020 Dubai, which is established by the virtue of Decree No. (30) of 2014 issued by the Ruler of Dubai. However, where the expenses are not related to the first and second category but are included within the third, fourth, or fifth category, the official participant will not need to obtain a certificate of entitlement to apply for VAT refund.

The guide – which is available on the FTA’s website www.tax.gov.ae – clarifies the refund mechanism, the VAT reclaimable, and the special case for imports certificate of entitlement, the eligibility criteria for the certificate of entitlement, how to apply for the certificate of entitlement, the certificate of entitlement request form, its supporting documents, processing the certificate of entitlement application by Expo 2020 Dubai, how to apply for refund, procedures for the offices of Official Participants registered for VAT, procedures for the offices of Official Participants not registered for VAT, supporting documents for the refund request, processing of the refund application by Ex[p 2020 Dubai, the frequency of the refund application, and payment of the tax upon sale of imported goods.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI,dnata, a leading global air and travel services provider, continues to invest in cutting-edge technologies to maximise efficiency and deliver the highest value for its customers.

The company has partnered with Gather AI, a US-based technology start-up, and launched autonomous drones in its warehouses at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in the USA, to digitise acceptance and warehouse inventory processes by monitoring shipments with 99.8 percent accuracy.

Gather AI’s innovative software enables the drones to map the environment, collect inventory data, count cases, measure temperature, and read barcodes using only their cameras, without the need for any additional active infrastructure. The drones are paired to a tablet device providing live inventory data. The collected data can be viewed directly on the tablet or the web, via a user-friendly application.

The drones can operate at temperatures as low as -10 Celsius degrees, enabling dnata to take advantage of the technology in its state-of-the-art cool chain facilities, too. dnata plans to gradually roll out the drones across its global cargo network in the next years.

Watch this video to find out how autonomous drones help us digitise processes and monitor shipments.

Guillaume Crozier, dnata’s Divisional Vice President for Operations and Product Development, said: “We are excited to introduce leading-edge drone technology in our operations to take cargo handling to the next level.

“Our partner’s autonomous drones and inventory management platform provides greater transparency across our entire operations. This new technology, combined with our strong cargo product expertise, enables us to significantly enhance efficiency and mitigate the risk of revenue leakage throughout the customer journey.

“We continue to adopt the latest technologies to deliver world-class value for our partners at every stage of the cargo handling process.”

Over the past year, dnata has significantly invested in new technology and digitalisation. The company’s investments include hi-tech cool dollies in Australia and Singapore, UV cabin cleaning service in Switzerland, a baggage disinfection station in Singapore, a just-in-time freight handling platform in UAE, thermal screening in the USA, as well as the network-wide rollout of a turnaround tool and IATA’s innovative Dangerous Goods AutoCheck (DG Autocheck) solution.

A trusted partner of over 300 airline customers, dnata provides quality and safe ground handling, cargo, catering and travel services in 35 countries.

In the financial year 2020-21 dnata’s customer-oriented teams handled 290,000 aircraft, moved 2.7 million tonnes of cargo, and uplifted some 17 million meals.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI,The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has announced that the average aviation activity in the country rose from 1,238 flights at the end of 2020 to 1,538 flights in September 2021, an increase of some 24.5 percent.

Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General, said that the aviation activity in the UAE witnessed a significant increase prior to the Expo 2020 Dubai, as it is a major global event that showcases the UAE to the entire world.

In his statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Al Suwaidi stressed the national civil aviation sector has recovered and the aviation activity figures recorded in recent months are promising. They are expected to rise further during the expo and the UAE’s Golden Jubilee celebration and the start of the winter holidays, despite the strict preventive measures adopted by the country to ensure everyone’s safety.

The GCAA’s report also showed the country’s national carriers travel to 108 countries, benefitting from the logistical services provided by ten registered airports. It also highlighted the significance of the national aviation sector, which contributed US$47.4 billion to the national economy, accounting for 13.3 percent of the country’s GDP, in addition to creating 800,000 jobs.

According to the report, the Emirati aviation market is among the world’s leading markets to attract capital and investments. It also confirms that the GCAA supported the strategic partners and national carriers during the critical period when the COVID-19 pandemic affected the entire world, which allowed the sector to regain its previous operational levels. For example, Emirates Airlines and flydubai are now operating in 90 percent of their destination networks.

The UAE’s civil aviation safety system, considered the best globally, performs a key role in ensuring cooperation between all national strategic partners. Under this context, the UAE has accomplished several unprecedented achievements, most notably achieving a 98.86 percent compliance rate in aviation safety monitoring by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The UAE has consistently maintained the first position in ICAO audits of 133 countries until 2021, by utilising innovation and development and focussing on performance.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, Held under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Breakbulk Middle East (BBME), the region’s only dedicated event for the project cargo and breakbulk industry, will return to Dubai as an in-person event next year.

Scheduled to take place at the World Trade Centre on 1st and 2nd February, 2022, the event has witnessed significant growth over the years.

More than 1,700 companies from over 70 countries, including industry leaders, government officials and specialists from the private sector, are expected to participate and engage in discussions related to post-COVID recovery and challenges and opportunities in the industry, including supply chain disruptions, economic development and innovation.

The event’s 2020 in-person edition witnessed the attendance of Arab transport ministers and government officials from Syria, Sudan, Egypt, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. In 2021, Breakbulk Middle East held a virtual event under the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure patronage. It provided critical continuity between the two physical events, building a solid foundation as Breakbulk Middle East prepares to return to Dubai in 2022.

The exhibition floor will include major industry players such as DP World, UAE as the Host Port, Abu Dhabi Ports, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, Al Faris, Mammoet, Volga-Dnepr and MICCO, along with others to represent the project cargo supply chain throughout the Middle East and its connections around the world.

Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said, “Over the past year, we have faced unprecedented health and economic challenges that have disrupted nearly every business, including the breakbulk industry and global supply chain. We are now moving into a post-COVID world where disruptive innovation and productive cooperation will define the industry for decades to come. According to a Mordor Intelligence report, despite the disruption, the freight and logistics market in UAE is expected to reach US$30.33 billion, growing at a CAGR of 10.21 percent until 2026. The consistent growth and expected outcomes are only due to the support we have received from industry stakeholders including the UAE’s ports.” ”Furthermore, as part of our endeavour to establish the UAE as one of the leading centres for trade in the world, we recently organised an assembly of leaders from the government and private sector within the industry to prepare the UAE’s candidacy for its Category-B membership at the International Maritime Organization (IMO). We are confident that 2022 will support us in our efforts to help the country retain its leading status despite market challenges.”

Sheikh Nasser Majid Al Qassimi, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Infrastructure and Transport Sector at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, emphasized, “The breakbulk and project cargo sector that represents a complex market, encompassing commodities as varied as steel and forest products, to heavy-lift shipments for wind turbines and equipment for construction work, plays an essential role in the Middle East. Several factors such as the quality of the port infrastructure and the country’s strategic location that enables it to serve as a link between the East and West, have led the UAE to achieve a leading status. According to the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority, the total output for the logistics services sector reached AED219 billion, and the sector is expected to see an increase despite the unprecedented challenges of the global pandemic.”

Owing to UAE’s vision and quick action to mitigate the impact of the pandemic, Breakbulk Middle East will prove to be a critical event that will help the UAE prepare for the next 50 years. The 2022 edition capitalises on the region’s innovation and technological advancement, infrastructure and government policies and incentives to help attendees generate leads for new business across the project supply chain.

With Abu Dhabi Ports owning, managing and operating 10 ports in the UAE, they are aware that a robust and advanced infrastructure is vital for success in today’s market.

As well as first-class infrastructure and superb service levels, Abu Dhabi Ports believes in customer choice as they do provide complete end-to-end supply-chain support solutions to their increasing list of global customers and help them realise competitive advantage and growth especially during challenging times.

Ben Blamire, Event Director of Breakbulk Middle East highlighted, “The events business was one of the most impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The industry faced immense challenges that were addressed by technology, thus allowing us to take our event virtual. However, as we move to a post-pandemic phase, we are excited to go back to hosting the Breakbulk Middle East physically.”

“Post-COVID, Breakbulk Middle East will be one of the first events to unite leaders and experts that will facilitate collaborations and partnerships in the sector and lead to rapid growth and transformation. Its placement during Expo 2020 will ensure greater participation from experts and decision-makers from the GCC and beyond, resulting in numerous new project opportunities.”

Leslie Meredith, Marketing Director of Breakbulk Events and Media, concluded, “Dubai has always been the ideal venue for Breakbulk Middle East, and because of the nation’s resiliency, it is one of only a few countries in the world to lift its travel restrictions.”

Source: Emirates News Agency