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On 23 February 2026, the UAE Ministry of Finance issued three comprehensive e‑invoicing guides, completing the legal, operational, and technical framework for e‑invoicing. With legislation finalised, ASPs approved, and EmaraTax enabled, businesses must now urgently select an Accredited Service Provider, perform a gap assessment, and prepare systems and processes ahead of mandatory implementation.

Grant Thornton UAE’s 2026 logistics M&A report explores shifting regional dynamics, including deal volumes, valuation trends, major transactions, strategic alliances and infrastructure developments across the UAE, GCC and global markets. This data‑led analysis also highlights emerging sustainability and digitalisation themes shaping the sector’s future.

UAE Federal Tax Authority Introduces Advance Pricing Agreement (APA) Programme

This checklist, developed by Grant Thornton UAE and based on ThoughtLab’s AI maturity framework, guides asset and wealth management leaders through seven pragmatic steps to advance AI maturity. Covering strategy, innovation culture, IT platforms, talent, advanced tools, data management, and governance, the article addresses the unique challenges and opportunities for UAE and GCC firms. It highlights the importance of aligning AI adoption with business goals, regulatory requirements, and local market realities, empowering organisations to move from pilots to enterprise-wide transformation and realise tangible ROI from AI investments.

Grant Thornton UAE’s latest insights reveal how asset managers in the UAE and GCC can move beyond compliance and use data as a growth engine. The article outlines three key strategies: building a single, trusted data environment, applying AI to drive revenue, and personalising the investor experience. With a focus on local market drivers such as regulatory change and high mobile adoption, GTUAE experts explain how firms can optimise existing systems, upskill teams, and deliver better outcomes for clients.

This practical Q&A from the 26 November Thomson Reuters MENA webinar provides clear guidance on the UAE e‑invoicing mandate. Learn who’s in scope for B2B and B2C, how reverse charge mechanism (RCM) applies to imports and domestic transactions, and when self‑billing is required. Explore the process of appointing and linking an ASP in EmaraTax, ERP integration options including APIs and Odoo modules, and best practices for AP workflows such as handling rejections, credit notes, and reconciliation. The article also outlines UAE record retention rules for e‑invoicing compliance.

Getting started with decarbonisation requires moving from strategy to action. This article outlines five key steps: securing leadership buy-in, measuring emissions, setting credible targets, embedding carbon into core decisions, and building long-term capability. With tightening disclosure rules and UAE’s Federal Decree-Law No. 11/2024, organisations must act now to reduce risks and unlock value. Grant Thornton helps businesses integrate climate goals into operations and ensure compliance while driving efficiency and growth.

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.

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 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’.

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.

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:

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.

The Ministry of Finance has announced significant updates to the existing Cabinet Decision in relation to Qualifying Investment Funds and Qualifying Limited Partnerships, with the release of Cabinet Decision No. 34 of 2025 which has replaced Cabinet Decision No. 81 of 2023.