Dubai announces Dh278m street lighting project to improve safety

Dubai's Road and Transport Authority has announced a new Dh278 million street lighting project to improve safety for road users.

The Street Lighting Plan 2023-2026, which will be carried out in 40 areas across the emirate, aims to improve the infrastructure and meet the demands of Dubai's growing population, Dubai's Media Office reported.

Street lights will be installed in previously unlit areas, including Mirdif, Al Baraha, Oud Metha, Al Waheda, Al Hudaiba, Al Satwa, Abu Hail and Al Bada'a, as well as Umm Suqeim 1, 2 and 3, Al Safa 1 and 2, Al Manara, Al Mariyal Reserve Street, the road to Al Minhad Airbase and street and parking areas in Jumeirah.

The project will be further extended in 2025 where street lights will be installed at Umm Al Sheif, Al Sufouh 1, Al Quoz Residential Areas 1 and 3, Nad Al Hamar and Al Awir 2.

In 2026, various streets and car parks in Al Garhoud, Al Twar, Hasyan, Al Jafiliya, Al Marmoom, Al Qusais 1 and 2, Nad Al Sheba 1, Al Warsan 2, Hind City, Business Bay, Umm Ramool, Ras Al Khor Industrial Area 1 and 2, and Ras Al Khor Industrial Area 3 Street will have lights installed.

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Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of the board of executive directors of the authority, announced the project on Tuesday.

“The main goal of this plan is to improve traffic safety and security for all road users, including vehicles and pedestrians,” he said.

“The initiative is designed to contribute to residents' and visitors' well-being and satisfaction in the targeted areas.

“The selection of these areas is based on careful consideration of traffic safety and security standards, traffic volumes, and the pace of urban growth.”

The new lighting systems will use smart and sustainable technologies that are designed for the UAE's climate.

These include energy-efficient LED technology, which offers a 55 per cent reduction in energy consumption and a 173 per cent increase in lifespan, Mr Al Tayer said.

The authority started work on designing the street lighting project last year for the Al Qusais Industrial Areas 1 to 5, as well as Al Lusaily and Lahbab 1 and 2. The projects are almost complete, the authority said.

Last year, more than 14,000 lights along Dubai's roads were replaced with more eco-friendly alternatives.

The upgrade included at least 39 tunnels and crossings, lighting 22.6km of roadway.

The authority said the improvement project aimed to promote a clean environment.

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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.

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