IS THIS THE WAY TO GO?

First of all, a happy new year to all our readers at Truck & Fleet Middle East magazine and online. As ever, I personally wish all of you the very best wishes for what promises to be a fascinating year ahead.

If you were hoping for quiet and calm after a frantic couple of years, you may be disappointed to hear that I think that we are not quite ready to put the handbrake on just yet. Without doubt the biggest hurdlse to jump in 2023 if you are operating in the UAE will be the introduction of Corporate Tax for SMEs in the summer. Intended to bring the UAE in line with global tax practices, there is bound to be confusion and uncertainty among fleets when it comes to understanding how their businesses will be affected. Whether that is by way of changes to how they currently trade or, as importantly, how their customers make the jump. Having seen the disruption caused by the introduction of VAT a few years ago (was it really four years ago?!), it would be prudent to start planning now and talking to clients and suppliers alike.

As you might expect, we have been approached by a number of tax experts over the last month or so, and I thought it might be helpful to include their insight in a special feature in this magazine. As you might also expect, tax experts are quite keen on tax, but I do think there is some worthwhile thoughts as well as explanations on why ultimately it is a good thing – in the long term at least. In any case, I would be happy to hear your thoughts on how your company is planning for it and whether you think it can be ultimately good for your business. Looking back at the big events of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar and the Dubai Expo 2020 it will be interesting to see how their legacies pan out from a mobility stand point, given both made a lot of noise about the subject. I think from Qatar’s perspective the event was a big success, but will it be lasting? I am sure lots of lessons were learned when it comes to moving tourists around the peninsular, but the jury is out as to whether it will add to its 311 electric limos from Hyundai and KIA, for instance. One thing for sure, the accessibility improvements must stay. Weighing up Qatar versus Dubai’s mobility progress is probably an unfair comparison. I feel the overall planning of transport and transportation, as well as the infrastructure, that remains in place, puts the UAE in a stronger position. The question now is whether it will continue to grow fast enough to make the most of it.

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