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Grant Thornton UAE's Partner Insights series brings together the experience and expertise of our leadership team through a collection of short videos. Across a range of sectors and service lines, our partners share valuable perspectives on market developments, business challenges, emerging opportunities and the issues that matter most to organisations today.
Many businesses assume that Free Zones and Designated Zones have the same meaning across all UAE tax laws, but this is not the case. The FTA's Public Clarification TAXP010 brings together the definitions used under Corporate Tax, VAT and Excise Tax legislation, clarifying where they align and where they differ. This article explores the key takeaways and the practical implications for businesses operating in UAE free zones, including the need to evaluate their status independently under each tax regime.
Generative AI is becoming a key driver of business growth and customer engagement, yet many private companies remain behind larger organisations in adoption. This article examines the opportunities and challenges of AI adoption in the UAE, where businesses are increasingly leveraging AI to enhance personalisation, improve operational efficiency and support digital transformation strategies.
The UAE’s business landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation from an era when customs duties were the primary regulatory touchpoint to today’s sophisticated tax ecosystem. The next significant milestone is the rollout of e-invoicing - a move that signals not just a VAT-related change but a broader shift toward digitalisation and real-time tax transparency. This evolution underscores the UAE’s commitment to aligning with global best practices while challenging businesses to rethink their operational and technological readiness.
What’s become increasingly clear from Grant Thornton’s latest International Business Report (IBR) research is that these businesses view sustainability as a path to growth, not an obstacle – and certainly not a compliance box to be ticked. They value the commercial opportunities sustainability can bring and are putting significant resource behind it. We see that firms in all regions remain committed to sustainability, largely because of the long-term benefits they perceive it brings to profit, revenue and international expansion. As such, their drive to build sustainability within their businesses is unwavering. It is a drive from which I believe we will all benefit.
Discover how recent amendments to the UAE VAT Executive Regulations set the stage for the country’s e-invoicing mandate. Learn about key regulatory changes, industry implications, and how Grant Thornton UAE can help your business prepare for digital VAT compliance.
In our July & August 2025 edition of GT’s regional monthly Tax Newsletter, we provide the latest news updates affecting International Tax, Corporate Tax, Transfer Pricing, and Indirect Taxes in the UAE and across the Middle East region.
In 2023, the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) issued its first two international IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards (IFRS SDS), IFRS S1 ‘General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information’ and IFRS S2 ‘Climate-related Disclosures’.
As the UAE moves closer to its July 2026 e-invoicing mandate, many businesses are understandably focused on meeting regulatory requirements. However, as explored in our recent webinar co-hosted with Avalara—a global leader in tax technology—this transition presents far more than a compliance challenge. It’s a timely opportunity to modernise finance operations, enhance data quality, and build resilience into your tax and reporting functions. At Grant Thornton UAE, our approach to e-invoicing is shaped by what businesses need most, read our full blog to learn more:
Grant Thornton International’s latest Women in Business research reveals that 44.6% of mid-market businesses globally now have a female CFO, marking a major step toward gender parity in finance leadership. This article explores the factors driving this shift—including macroeconomic disruptions and increased female participation in education—and how the rise of female CFOs can catalyze broader change across the C-suite. It highlights the potential for CFOs to mentor other women, influence boardroom dynamics, and transition into CEO roles, ultimately reshaping leadership across mid-market businesses.
In a new Grant Thornton series on trending international insights, we examine the wider impact of tariffs on the mid-market, where a dip in market confidence at the start of 2025 was just the start of more to come. The global economy may suffer further as trade tensions and uncertainty persist, but if there’s a silver lining, its likely to be found in the mid-market – the most resilient and opportunistic segment of the business landscape.
IFRS 18: A New Era in Financial Reporting. We are thrilled to announce the release of our latest publication on IFRS 18, the new standard transforming financial statement presentation and disclosures. This guide provides practical insights to help businesses navigate the changes and ensures compliance.
In the next edition of Grant Thornton’s series on trending international insights, we examine how a shifting economic landscape can offer the mid-market an opportunity to grow while their larger counterparts opt to ‘wait and see.’ Our report highlights key trends such as digital trade, supply chain resilience, shifting trade agreements, and the impact of geopolitical uncertainty on international commerce.
Our strategic union marks a new chapter, as we now stand alongside New York, widely regarded as the asset management capital of the Western hemisphere; Cayman Islands, the funds capital of North America; Ireland, Switzerland, and Luxembourg, all funds capitals in Europe; the Channel Islands, the offshore financial services hub of Europe; and the Netherlands and Liechtenstein—both key financial centres in their own right. Read the full article to learn more:
The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) continues to demonstrate a robust approach to regulation and supervision across the financial services sector in the UAE. Over the past twelve months, CBUAE enforcement actions have appeared in the headlines more frequently, sending a strong message to the market and emphasising the importance of compliance and consequences of non-compliance. Read the full article to learn more:
At a recent panel hosted by Grant Thornton UAE, “The 3 C’s of successful AML program remediation”, I had the privilege to moderate and explore with fellow panellists how LFIs can rise to the challenge with strategic intent and operational precision. The discussion brought together regulatory veterans, banking executives, and remediation experts to explore what truly drives success in AML compliance program remediation. The consensus? It’s not just about fixing what’s broken. It’s about building something better—with competence, clarity, and collaboration as the foundational elements. Read the full article to learn more:
This second installment in our three-part series examines the crucial impact of effective complaints handling on Licensed Financial Institutions (LFIs). We aim to provide valuable insights into conduct risk management and how LFIs can strengthen their control frameworks to meet the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE)’s Consumer Protection Regulation and Standards. GT UAE offers expertise in navigating the evolving regulatory landscape and the complexities of maintaining ethical standards while addressing consumer protection and market conduct risks.
The UAE Ministry of Finance (MoF) recently issued guidance on Mutual Agreement Procedure (MAP) to inform taxpayers about its purpose, the circumstances under which it can be applied, the required documentation for submitting a MAP request, and the procedural steps involved.
In our June 2025 edition of GT’s regional monthly Tax Newsletter, we provide the latest Tax news updates affecting International Tax, Corporate Tax, Transfer Pricing, and Indirect Taxes in the UAE and across the Middle East region.