UAE e-invoicing | from compliance to transformation
Featuring insights from Imran Mushtaq, Partner, Head of Indirect Tax, and Harsh Bhatia, Director, VAT Advisory, Grant Thornton UAE
In a featured article for Global Supply Chain Magazine, Imran Mushtaq and Harsh Bhatia examine why e-invoicing is more than a compliance exercise and what UAE businesses should consider as they prepare for implementation.
The article provides insight into the shift towards e-invoicing in the UAE and why selecting an Accredited Service Provider is only one part of becoming operationally ready. It highlights the work required behind the technology, from understanding transaction scenarios and tax treatment to addressing gaps in master data, approval processes and ERP systems.
It also explores the wider opportunity created by structured, standardised transaction data. By connecting procurement, finance, suppliers and regulators around a more consistent flow of information, e-invoicing can provide greater visibility across purchasing, supplier activity, customer transactions and payments, while supporting stronger forecasting, working-capital oversight and governance.
The article reflects that e-invoicing is not solely a finance or technology project. Effective implementation requires coordination across tax, procurement, accounts payable, accounts receivable, IT, legal and business teams, together with clear ownership and appropriate cybersecurity, access controls and supplier authentication.
Overall, the article highlights that while e-invoicing is being driven by regulation, its value can extend well beyond compliance. Businesses should use this transition to strengthen their data, systems and operating models and will be better positioned to transform their operations and supply chains.
Experts / Authors
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Imran Mushtaq Imran brings over 20 years of experience within Tax across the UK, EU, and GCC regions. Prior to joining Grant Thornton UAE, Imran was a Senior Tax Director at a Big 4 firm in the Middle East, where he led the real estate and logistics sectors in the UAE and played a pivotal role in leading VAT implementation for clients in Oman. His extensive GCC VAT experience also includes involvement in several regional tax authority engagements.View Profile -
Harsh Bhatia Harsh is a Director at Grant Thornton’s VAT advisory team. Having done VAT implementation in UAE, Oman, KSA, Bahrain, and India, he has conducted VAT impact assessment and implementation for more than 100 multi-national companies to ensure a smooth transition.View Profile