Day: October 20, 2021

ABU DHABI, As part of the celebrations of the UAE’s ‘Year of the 50th’, the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence is set to launch the first edition of its pioneering initiative “Zayed Tolerance Trail” at the Umm Al Emarat Park in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Inspired by the legacy of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, this community-based initiative aims to nourish the senses and to enrich people with the values of tolerance and coexistence, harmony and learning.

The “Zayed Tolerance Trail” initiative, is set on a nationwide path that runs through the seven emirates. It demonstrates how heritage, history and values are threaded in the common belief that pluralism within diverse human societies is a positive and creative force for development and stability everywhere – emphasising the nation’s firm standing in the power of human fraternity.

National landmarks are set across the trail, symbolising the nation’s values in tolerance, peaceful coexistence, compassion, understanding and pride in heritage and culture. Landmarks such as Qasr Al Hosn, the Founder’s Memorial, Umm Al Emarat Park, Mary Mother of Jesus Mosque, Expo 2020 Dubai and many more locations make up the trail’s path.

On the launch of the initiative, the ministry asserted that the “Zayed Tolerance Trail” demonstrates the belief of the Emirati society in tolerance, coexistence and peace as a basis for progress, advancement, cultural enrichment, well-being and cohesion. Set to become an annual event starting October and spanning the seven emirates, the ministry will organise this initiative to celebrate the late Sheikh Zayed’s Legacy.

The Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, was a historic leader whose wisdom and vision have proven that only by thinking and working together can we, inhabitants of this planet, collectively reach the promise that human ingenuity offers for a peaceful and prosperous global society.

The Zayed Tolerance Trail will be traced and activated in its first edition through the initiative’s Strategic Partner, “Ride for Life”, an equestrian-based community. With its passion for horsemanship rooted in its quest to engage society by raising awareness in core values, Ride for Life has joined with the ministry to promote understanding in seven universal life causes. They are Tolerance and Coexistence, Health and Well-being, People of Determination, the Environment, Culture and Heritage, Community Enrichment, and Animal Welfare.

The Zayed Tolerance Trail will be activated through its Ride for Life partners, where parades comprising horseback riders will trace the trail’s path, symbolising the start of this annual event. The trail will cover landmarks in Abu Dhabi and Expo 2020 Dubai. 22nd October, 2021, will mark the launch of this strategic initiative from the heart of the Capital at Umm Al Emarat Park. This landmark reflects deeply on the core values of the UAE as seeded by the late Sheikh Zayed and H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), and “Mother of the Nation”.

The Zayed Tolerance Trail and the Ride for Life activations are set to become an annual initiative.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, and Chairman of the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) Board of Directors, has chaired his first FTA Board meeting (the FTA Board’s third meeting of the year).

Held on Wednesday at the FTA headquarters in Dubai, the meeting saw the election of Mohamed Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, as Vice Chairman of the FTA Board of Directors.

The Board reviewed a comprehensive progress report on various ongoing development projects and the FTA’s recent achievements and agenda for the future. Additionally, the Board approved the Authority’s financial statements for the second quarter that ended on 30th June, 2021, in accordance with international accounting standards.

H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum asserted that the Authority will continue its efforts to upgrade its services with a series of development plans designed to meet the highest standards. The FTA is committed to offering its full support to business sectors and encouraging taxable persons to comply with tax legislation, most notably with the FTA’s advanced and integrated e-Services.

He also issued directives to facilitate and expedite the tax refund procedures for UAE nationals building new residences through the Authority’s e-Services in line with the UAE leadership’s vision to develop a modern housing system that caters to citizens’ needs, asserting that supporting citizens’ wellbeing is the ultimate goal of the development process in the country.

Sheikh Maktoum said, “The next stage will see the FTA further embracing the UAE’s principles for the next 50 years – the ambitious plan championed by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and envisioned by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The plan charts a strategic roadmap for the UAE to build a more dynamic economy, keep pace with market volatilities, and address all regional and global challenges, all in an effort to sustain and accelerate the momentum of nationwide development across all sectors.”

The Key Performance Indicators (KPI) report, that the FTA Board of Directors reviewed, revealed an improvement in operational efficiency across FTA systems, which recorded a 7.9 percent increase in the number of VAT registrants to 352,590 – including individual businesses and Tax Groups – at the end of Q3 2021, compared to 326,820 by the end of the same period last year.

The report also highlighted a noticeable increase of 11.97 percent in the number of Excise Tax registrations, where the figure increased to 1,338 compared to 1,195 registered at the end of September 2020. The expansion of the tax system database continued at a rate of 10.55 percent, as the number of registered Tax Agents rose to 419, up from 379 agents at the end of the third quarter of 2020.

On another note, the report points to an increase in processing requests for Tax Refunds on Building New Residences for UAE Citizens. The FTA expedited procedures to process these requests on its electronic platform, in line with the leadership’s directives to develop a modern housing system for citizens and offer them the highest standards of living.

The report also revealed that the Tax Refunds for Tourists Scheme recorded notable growth this year, as global restrictions on travel that were enacted to curb the spread of COVID-19 in 2020 are gradually eased, and as the tourism sector in the UAE bounces back. The total value of the Tax Refunds applications from tourists increased by 49 percent in the first nine months of 2021, compared to the same period in 2020.

The FTA Board examined another report on the results recorded in the first two stages of implementing the Marking Tobacco and Tobacco Products Scheme, which seeks to prevent the sale (circulation) or possession of any kind of cigarettes, waterpipe tobacco (known in Arabic as ‘Muassel’) and electrically heated cigarette plugs that do not carry the Digital Tax Stamps in local markets. In addition, the Board was briefed on the distinctive features of the new design for Digital Tax Stamps, set to be placed on all types of cigarettes and tobacco packages instead of the design that was approved at the beginning of 2019.

The FTA’s plans continue to develop and enhance the efficiency of its operation system to ease the tax procedures applying the highest standards in the industry. The objective is to ensure these products meet the standard qualifications, are not counterfeit or smuggled, and have no remaining unsettled taxes.

As of 1st October, 2021, the Federal Tax Authority began receiving requests for Digital Tax Stamps with the new design to be placed on the packages of all types of cigarettes and other tobacco products that are allowed to be traded in the local markets and in the arrivals duty-free shops. Starting from January 2022, the FTA will begin receiving requests for Digital Tax Stamps with the other new design, this time to be placed on the packages of all types of cigarettes and other tobacco products that are allowed to be traded in the departures duty-free for passengers leaving the country.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, The Department of Government Support – Abu Dhabi, represented by Abu Dhabi Digital Authority (ADDA), has signed an enterprise agreement with ESRI, the global market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, location intelligence, and mapping, during its participation at GITEX Technology Week 2021, which runs until 21st October at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

The agreement is aimed at contributing to ADDA’s role by supporting government entities in providing services that enrich the community’s quality of life and increase growth opportunities for businesses and individuals.

According to the terms of the agreement, Esri will be appointed to provide exclusive discounted licenses and annual maintenance contracts for government entities utilising GIS technology in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, thereby contributing to reducing administrative and procurement costs, and the total cost of GIS services to government entities.

Commenting on the agreement, Dr. Mohamed Abdelhameed Al Askar, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Digital Authority, said, “This agreement comes in line with our efforts aimed at enabling, supporting and delivering a digital government that is proactive, personalised, collaborative and secure, as well as accelerating the digital agenda of the Government of Abu Dhabi and meeting the current and future needs of government entities.”

Al Askar added, “The agreement signed with Esri comes in line with the objectives of the Abu Dhabi Digital Authority’s participation in GITEX Technology Week 2021 that aims to broaden strategic public-private partnerships, exploring the possibilities of newly discovered opportunities for beneficial collaborations, and leveraging the advantages to be gained from bringing major global technology companies on board to support the emirate’s digital agenda.”

Adel Bolbol Fernández, Public Sector and Smart Cities Lead MEA, ESRI, said, “We are delighted with this new agreement, which is a follow up to our already successful partnership with ADDA. This new partnership is exciting and highly strategic, and we are proud to help bring enhanced public services to Abu Dhabi. As a company, we place special emphasis on the UAE market and we are committed to supporting the emirate’s technological and digital progress.”

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, Dubai Run, one of the key highlights of the Dubai Fitness Challenge, is all set to return to Sheikh Zayed Road on Friday 26th November. Registration for the highly anticipated event is now open for runners of all ages and abilities.

Following the success of Dubai Run over the last two years, tens of thousands of people are expected to take to the city’s giant running track, with a 5km route designed specifically for families and a 10km route for recreational and professional runners.

The event is aligned with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to transform the city into the world’s most active metropolis and the broader vision to make Dubai the world’s best city to live in, work and visit.

With the starting line near the spectacular Museum of Future, all runners will pass some of Dubai’s instantly recognisable landmarks including Emirates Towers and Downtown Dubai before crossing the finishing line at Al Mustaqbal Street near the Dubai World Trade Centre. Runners on the 10km route will also pass by The Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard.

This year, there are plenty of opportunities to get ready for Dubai Run, with warm-up events taking place across the city in October and November. These include The Dubai Academic City Run, Dubai South Run, CBD Run on The Palm and the Dubai Design District Run as well as a special run for Halloween on 30th October and the Expo 2020 Dubai Run on 19th November. Runners who register for Dubai Run will receive a limited edition Dubai Run t-shirt, courtesy of Sun and Sand Sports, made from sustainable fabric (limited numbers available).

Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, said, “Dubai Run epitomises everything that the Dubai Fitness Challenge stands for. It’s an event where everyone can get involved whatever their age or running ability is. We welcome walkers or runners, participants in wheelchairs, eight-year-olds or eighty-year-olds. All that matters is taking part, getting outdoors and embracing a more active lifestyle. Running on Sheikh Zayed Road and around the sights of Dubai is an experience where memories are made, and I look forward to seeing citizens, residents and visitors on the start line on Friday 26th November.”

Saeed Hareb, Secretary-General of Dubai Sports Council, said, “Dubai Run has become a signature event in the Dubai Fitness Challenge annual calendar of events. Following the great success last year with tens of thousands of participants, we anticipate even greater attendance this year from sport and fitness enthusiasts of all ages, nationalities and capabilities, as well as professional and amateur runners. We look forward to transforming Sheikh Zayed Road into a giant running track and bringing Dubai one step closer to becoming one of the most active cities in the world.”

“Dubai Run is the epitome of what Dubai represents, a melting pot of different cultures and people, who come together in harmony to enjoy the quality of life that the city has to offer and take advantage of the multiple events and activities that allow them to lead healthier and more active lifestyles, during Dubai Fitness challenge and all year round,” Hareb added.

Alexander van ‘t Riet, CEO of Mai Dubai, said, “For the second year in a row, we are pleased to support the Dubai Run, keeping with our goal of making fitness an active part of the Emirati society’s culture. This is part of our commitment to the Dubai Fitness Challenge, which was launched by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Throughout the event, we will provide water at various fitness sites, and in order to properly manage waste, we will collect used bottles for recycling in collaboration with DGrade. Through this participation, Mai Dubai supports Dubai’s goal of becoming one of the most active cities in the world.”

This year’s Dubai Fitness Challenge will offer an action-packed calendar of free fitness events, classes and wellbeing activities at live events across the city. These include three fitness villages at Kite Beach, Expo 2020 Dubai and Mushrif Park, 14 fitness hubs in communities across Dubai and over 5,000 free fitness classes. In addition to Dubai Run, Dubai Ride will also return for 2021, giving everyone the chance to get active and see the city from two wheels.

With more than one million members of the community expected to take part, all DFC activities will comply with COVID-19 regulations and social distancing mandates. Participants are also encouraged to follow guidelines around their own safety, such as wearing masks, when in public spaces.

Dubai Run is organised by Dubai Tourism and Dubai Sports Council; with presenting partner Mai Dubai; association partners Emaar, Etisalat, Fitbit, and Sun & Sand Sports; Official partners Emirates Airline and Noon; government partners Event’s Security Committee, Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Dubai Police, Dubai Corporation For Ambulance Services and Roads & Transport Authority (RTA); and media and app partners Arabian Radio Network (ARN) and STEPPI.

Source: Emirates News Agency