Long before Covid-19 struck, governments in parts of the Arab world started schemes for economic diversification. But the sudden transition to remote working accelerated automation, cloud, digitisation and other initiatives that exposed a skills gap. This spurred stakeholders in government and business to make sure a healthy digital talent pipeline was in place.
The Gulf is never lacking in ambition or vision. And an example of that is the UAE government’s National Programme for Coders launch. By training citizens and encouraging others from overseas to live in the country, the government aims to create 100,000 software professionals and 1,000 digital enterprises.
The government is partnering with big names in tech to ensure the programme is recognised and is a desirable career path, with each industry partner offering training courses. For example, Facebook may offer people a career as marketing analysts, IBM as data engineers or Google as project managers. Many of these courses are designed to prepare candidates for entry-level positions in less than six months.
While growing digital skill sets is popular, our registration data this year shows UAE learners are enrolling into a variety of courses. "The Science of Well-Being" and "Covid-19 Contact Tracing" are the two most popular courses in the UAE this year. The course "Learning How to Learn: Powerful Mental Tools to Help You Master Tough Subjects" ranks third on the list, indicating that people realise they need to add to their skills, even if it means stepping outside their comfort zones to remain relevant.
The "Machine Learning", "Excel Skills for Business: Essentials", and "Programming for Everybody" courses ranked fifth, eighth and ninth, respectively, suggesting that Covid-19 notwithstanding, professionals today are preparing for a digital future.
While for full-time students online learning provides a broader educational experience to supplement their conventional learning, our data suggests that for many others, particularly busy career people, it is an indispensable part of professional development. These people could potentially represent a major share of the 100,000 coders sought by the UAE government.
It is clear to us that online learning will play a significant role in attaining the goals of the National Programme for Coders. Developing a homegrown talent pool is a significant and challenging part of the coders programme. Re-training is a risk if it requires time away from one’s career, especially at a time when many feel their jobs could be at stake. Flexible training at a pace that fits in with people’s lives is essential to entice would-be learners. And course content needs to reflect real-world requirements to produce high-calibre professionals, with the capabilities to lead and contribute to the 1,000 digital businesses in the government’s plan.
Online training platforms present an alternative option. They can be customised to cater to the learner’s chosen language, which is an essential feature for the diverse workforce of the UAE. Their popularity increased during the pandemic. Many of the region’s top universities partnered with platform providers, such as Coursera, to deliver content.
Flexible training at a pace that fits in with people’s lives is essential to entice would-be learners
Self-paced online learning is critical to expand the skillset of a workforce. Learners choose their own pace and figure out how much time they want to allocate to learning pursuits. We found that three-quarters of active learners spend less than three hours a week on coursework and almost one in five dedicate less than an hour a week to re-skilling.
The best online course catalogues cater to all grades of learners, from beginners to those on an advanced level. From formal college degrees to industry accreditations supplemented by professors from renowned universities, these courses can open doors to careers or lay the groundwork for further training in an existing line of work.
Training providers who are good at what they do help people pick courses that are in demand. They support students and learners of all ages to build relevant skillsets and also mentor them to find the jobs they want.
Some skills can be obtained in 35 hours of study, which shows that learners who are trying to add to their professional skills, along with balancing a full-time job can make progress in only a few weeks. For example, UAE data shows a digital job market, trending towards programming, machine learning, and other similar skills. While a traditional IT course requires a three or four-year commitment to cover these areas, entry-level professional certificates such as the Google IT Certificate on Coursera, enable a learner to prepare for a job in IT, with no prior background or experience, in less than three months.
Online courses are one way that people can develop and broaden their skills at their own pace so that in future, if they so desire, they can become coders and contribute to the national programme.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Herc's Adventures
Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
Rating: 4/5
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Winners
Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)
Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)
Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)
