The Ministry of Finance (MoF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Dubai Free Zones Council (DFZC) on the exchange of information for tax purposes. This comes in line with the ministry’s continuous efforts to ensure the commitment of various government entities in the UAE to the international tax obligations and agreements signed by the country.

The MoU, which was signed today at The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai, algins with the regulations and standards adopted by the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes.

Younis Haji Al Khoori, Undersecretary of Ministry of Finance; and Dr. Mohammed Alzarooni, Secretary General of the Dubai Free Zones Council, signed the MoU on behalf of MoF and DFZC, respectively. The signing ceremony was attended by a number of officials from both parties.

Younis Haji Al Khoori reaffirmed the ministry’s keenness to bolster means of cooperation with various federal and local government entities in the country in the field of exchanging information for tax purposes. This is to ensure their compliance with international standards and agreements in this field, and to achieve justice and transparency for taxpayers – both corporates and individuals.

“The Ministry of Finance is keen to expand its network of agreements on the exchange of tax information to enhance the stability and transparency of the financial climate in the country. This contributes to consolidating the UAE’s advanced position on global competitiveness indices and attracting more foreign direct investments inflows into the country,” he said.

Dr. Mohammed Alzarooni lauded the prudent measures taken to consolidate the strong international position of Dubai and the UAE as preferred global destinations for investments and companies. His Excellency also praised such measures for enhancing the leading position of Dubai and the UAE on international indicators of compliance, transparency, ease of doing business, and the integration of their organisational structure with the investment-attractive environment. Alzarooni also stressed on the importance of DFZC exchanging tax information with MoF in order to enhance user experience of free zones, being a key driver for a flexible and sustainable future economy.

Under this MoU, DFZC will provide the necessary tax information to MoF, in line with the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreements that the UAE has signed with other countries, and with international agreements related to transparency and exchange of information by international bodies and institutions.

DFZC will also adhere to the standards set by the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes.

Meanwhile the Ministry of Finance (MoF) held the second session of its Corporate Tax Public Awareness Programme in Dubai with participation of leaders from the Ministry, the Federal Tax Authority (FTA), and Dubai Chambers, along with more than 600 tax experts, business sector representatives, and business owners.