| | Weekly business and foreign investment news roundup in Asia by Asia Briefing and Dezan Shira & Associates. |
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| | | | The UAE’s updated VAT refund rules, effective January 1, 2026, introduce a clear five-year deadline for refund claims, with limited exceptions and expanded FTA audit powers to ensure fairness and compliance. Transitional relief through 2026 and new voluntary disclosure options give businesses time to regularize historical VAT credits. | | | | | Amendments to the UAE VAT law under Federal Decree-Law No. 16 of 2025 become effective January 1, 2026. Key changes include simpler reverse-charge filing, a five-year VAT refund deadline, and stricter anti-evasion rules. | | | | | Saudi Arabia and Qatar announced the Riyadh–Doha high-speed rail project to unlock new opportunities in cross-border mobility, tourism, and integrated logistics, strengthening the economic linkages between the two countries. | | | | | The Australia–UAE CEPA unlocks new commercial potential across agriculture, manufacturing, services, and innovation by eliminating tariffs, expanding market access, and strengthening investment and IP protections. | | | | | The UAE’s recent Employment Law reforms strengthen employee protections, streamline dispute resolution, and raise compliance expectations for employers. | | | | | Investment from the Middle East (and especially the UAE) into Latin America is accelerating across agritech, energy transition, fintech, and infrastructure, creating one of the world’s most dynamic new capital corridors. |
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COMPLIMENTARY BUSINESS RESOURCES: |  | | | In this Guide to Accounting and Audit in China 2026, we walk foreign businesses through the annual audit and compliance process from start to finish. | | | | | This guide helps foreign companies enter and scale in India’s growing consumer market with confidence. Expert regulatory and tax advisors ensure faster approvals, reduced risk, and sustained growth. |
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UPCOMING EVENTS FOR ASIA: | | | Expert Talk | Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 4:15 PM (Arabian Standard Time) | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | | | | | Webinar | Tuesday, December 16, 2025 | 2:30 PM India / 4:00 PM Vietnam / 5:00 PM China | | | | | Hybrid | Tuesday, December 23, 2025 | 4:00 PM China / 3:00 PM Vietnam / 9:00 AM CET |
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