The Hope Consortium will store and distribute Covid-19 vaccines across the world. Courtesy: Hope Consortium
The Hope Consortium will store and distribute Covid-19 vaccines across the world. Courtesy: Hope Consortium
The Hope Consortium will store and distribute Covid-19 vaccines across the world. Courtesy: Hope Consortium
The Hope Consortium will store and distribute Covid-19 vaccines across the world. Courtesy: Hope Consortium

UAE

UAE backs global access to Covid-19 vaccines

The Emirates are at the centre of global efforts to curb the pandemic

The National

August 06, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

The UAE is urging the world to unite to accelerate the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines and ensure worldwide immunity.

Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation, said the UAE was committed to helping to achieve this goal.

Speaking at the International Forum on Covid-19 Vaccine Co-operation, she pointed to the vaccine storage and handling facilities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in partnership with Etihad Airways and Emirates airline, covering nearly 3.6 billion people around the world.

The first meeting of the forum, hosted by China, featured representatives from 20 countries and aims to link countries that develop and produce vaccines, state news agency Wam reported on Thursday.

The Hope Consortium, for example, is an Abu Dhabi-led collective of industry partners united in overcoming Covid-19 vaccine distribution challenges.

  • Vaccines require special conditions and this Abu Dhabi centre is able to provide them all.
    Vaccines require special conditions and this Abu Dhabi centre is able to provide them all.
  • Boxes of vaccines at the Hope Consortium Vaccine Hub in Abu Dhabi.
    Boxes of vaccines at the Hope Consortium Vaccine Hub in Abu Dhabi.
  • Dr Omar Najim, executive director at the Department of Health, at the Hope Consortium centre in Abu Dhabi.
    Dr Omar Najim, executive director at the Department of Health, at the Hope Consortium centre in Abu Dhabi.
  • Boxes of vaccines at the Hope Consortium Vaccine Hub in Abu Dhabi.
    Boxes of vaccines at the Hope Consortium Vaccine Hub in Abu Dhabi.
  • Robert Sutton, head of the Logistics Cluster at Abu Dhabi Ports, in the UAE's largest freezer centre, where temperatures are set for the various vaccines stored at the facility.
    Robert Sutton, head of the Logistics Cluster at Abu Dhabi Ports, in the UAE's largest freezer centre, where temperatures are set for the various vaccines stored at the facility.
  • Robert Sutton, head of the Logistics Cluster at Abu Dhabi Ports, in the UAE's largest freezer centre, where temperatures are set for the various vaccines stored at the facility.
    Robert Sutton, head of the Logistics Cluster at Abu Dhabi Ports, in the UAE's largest freezer centre, where temperatures are set for the various vaccines stored at the facility.
  • A stacker crane handles boxes of vaccines, placing them on the shelves at the Hope Consortium Vaccine Hub in Abu Dhabi.
    A stacker crane handles boxes of vaccines, placing them on the shelves at the Hope Consortium Vaccine Hub in Abu Dhabi.
  • Robert Sutton, head of the Logistics Cluster at Abu Dhabi Ports, in the UAE's largest freezer centre, where temperatures are set for the various vaccines stored at the facility.
    Robert Sutton, head of the Logistics Cluster at Abu Dhabi Ports, in the UAE's largest freezer centre, where temperatures are set for the various vaccines stored at the facility.
  • Boxes of vaccines at the Hope Consortium Vaccine Hub in Abu Dhabi.
    Boxes of vaccines at the Hope Consortium Vaccine Hub in Abu Dhabi.
  • The Hope Consortium Vaccine Hub in Abu Dhabi.
    The Hope Consortium Vaccine Hub in Abu Dhabi.

Ms Al Hashimy said the consortium provided nearly 65 million vaccine doses to 40 countries since its launch in 2020. The UAE also donated $50 million to the Covax initiative to facilitate vaccine transport and delivery to the countries that need it most.

She also referred to the recent collaboration with China to host the first Covid-19 vaccine production project in the UAE, known as Hayat-Vax. Hayat-Vax, the locally produced version of the Sinopharm vaccine, is a key part of the UAE's wide-ranging strategy to support inoculation drives at home and abroad.

The UAE minister also told how the UAE dispatched more than 2,200 tonnes of medical supplies to more than 135 countries, particularly in Africa and Asia.

The UAE is also a global logistical centre in the fight against Covid-19, through the International Humanitarian City in Dubai. This has played an integral role in shipping 80 per cent of total global medical supplies and preventative equipment in response to the pandemic.

The UAE has also helped to establish field hospitals (Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Field Hospitals) in Jordan, Guinea-Conakry, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Lebanon and Mauritania.

UAE send Covid-19 aid to Comoros – in pictures

  • The UAE has sent 300,000 Covid-19 vaccine doses and nine tonnes of vital medical supplies to Comoros. All photos Wam
    The UAE has sent 300,000 Covid-19 vaccine doses and nine tonnes of vital medical supplies to Comoros. All photos Wam
  • The plane was met by Azali Assoumani, President of Comoros, and Saeed Al Maqbali, UAE Ambassador to the Comoros, along with other senior officials.
    The plane was met by Azali Assoumani, President of Comoros, and Saeed Al Maqbali, UAE Ambassador to the Comoros, along with other senior officials.
  • The plane being unloaded after landing in Comoros.
    The plane being unloaded after landing in Comoros.
  • Mr Assoumani commended the UAE's global humanitarian efforts.
    Mr Assoumani commended the UAE's global humanitarian efforts.
  • Boys play football on Mitsamiouli beach in Comoros. The UAE and Comoros share warm ties
    Boys play football on Mitsamiouli beach in Comoros. The UAE and Comoros share warm ties



MATCH INFO

Inter Milan 2 (Vecino 65', Barella 83')

Verona 1 (Verre 19' pen)

Results

1.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m

Winner Al Suhooj, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Khalifa Al Neyadi (trainer)

2pm Handicap (TB) 68,000 (D) 1,950m

Winner Miracle Maker, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer

2.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner Mazagran, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar

3pm Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,800m

Winner Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

3.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,400m

Winner Alla Mahlak, Adrie de Vries, Rashed Bouresly

4pm Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,200m

Winner Hurry Up, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

4.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m

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

More from Neighbourhood Watch:
If you go

The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road. 

The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
 

Sam Smith

Where: du Arena, Abu Dhabi

When: Saturday November 24

Rating: 4/5

Updated: August 06, 2021, 5:53 PM