Ernst & Young to lead GCC tax conference in Dubai

Part of an exclusive two-day event, the conference will be held at the Fairmont Hotel in Dubai on March 20, and will explore recent changes in the tax and fiscal environments in the GCC. Ernst & Young tax partners representing the region will be leading discussions about tax regimes, current developments, and investment incentives.

Conference themes will also include the developments of indirect taxes in the GCC economies following the implementation of the GCC Customs Union, membership of the GCC countries to the Word Trade Organization and recent Free Trade Agreements.

"The Gulf region is emerging as an increasingly dynamic economic environment. Evolving tax laws, heightened scrutiny by fiscal authorities and continued economic changes have created a challenging tax landscape for regional and multinational organizations. It is becoming increasingly important to find expert ways to align tax with organizations' overall business strategies, while continuing to meet regional compliance and regulatory obligations,"

said Mahyra Roy, Director International Tax Services - Ernst & Young.

On March 21 - day two of the event - delegates will be invited to privately meet with Ernst & Young participating partners and directors from throughout the Middle East and the UK. Led by prominent and experienced senior Ernst & Young tax professionals from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE, and the UK, these meetings will be dedicated to help review delegates' specific needs and to discuss opportunities for enhancing their regional and global tax positions.

"Organizations with existing operations in the Middle East or those considering new investments in the region will find these one-on-one sessions particularly useful. They aim to provide delegates with greater knowledge and insights into tax challenges in order to assist them in formulating and developing more effective business strategies," said Edward Quinlan, UAE Country Partner - Ernst & Young Dubai.

The firm's Middle East Tax practice consists of an established and experienced network of professionals, who possess the detailed knowledge and understanding of local tax laws, regulations, and practices to offer proactive, innovative and value added tax advisory services. Each of the Ernst & Young's offices in Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia has maintained specialized tax advisory practices for over 25 years, with tax partners who have acquired at least 15 years of professional tax experience.

'Managing Tax and Fiscal Challenges in the Expanding Gulf Economies' conference marks the launch by Ernst & Young Middle East of the new International Tax Services practice in Dubai, headed by Mahyra Roy, who has substantial International Tax and Transaction Tax experience in the Middle East and the UK.