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Sharjah 24
33 minutes ago
- Sharjah 24
FTA seizes over 3.5 million non-compliant excise goods
As part of its ongoing commitment to combat tax evasion, enhance tax compliance, and safeguard consumers, the FTA inspection team successfully uncovered the UAE-based operation, which was concealing an illegal cache of excise goods within shipments of clothing and footwear – in clear violation of UAE tax regulations. The FTA clarified that all seized excise goods have now been permanently confiscated, a tax assessment conducted, and corresponding fines have also been applied. The total number of illegal goods seized exceeded 3.5 million items. These included 1.56 million packs of cigarettes, 1.77 million packs of electronic smoking devices and accessories, 111,360 packs of raw tobacco, 4,000 packs of hookah tobacco, 121 packs of nicotine pouches, and 4,600 packs of excise beverages. The tax due on these products was equivalent to AED133.2 million, and legal action has been taken against the non-compliant establishments. The FTA stated that this operation is part of continuous monitoring efforts it undertakes in collaboration with the relevant local and federal authorities, and emphasised that – in order to avoid penalties and fines for non-compliance – producers, importers, and stockists of excise goods must adhere to the tax regulations set forth in Federal Law No. 7 of 2017 on Excise Tax and its amendments. In line with best international practices, the FTA confirmed that in its battle against tax evasion, it uses the latest advanced electronic control mechanisms, including the application of digital tax stamps on tobacco and tobacco-related products. Each stamp contains electronically registered data, which FTA inspectors verify to ensure the appropriate tax has been paid. The FTA also stressed its commitment to enhancing coordination and cooperation with all relevant federal and local government entities to ensure compliance with tax laws – across all seven emirates of the UAE.
Arabian Business
3 hours ago
- Arabian Business
Etihad Airways carries 1.8m passengers in June as 2025 traffic tops 10m
Etihad Airways reported strong growth in June 2025, flying 1.8m passengers, a 16 per cent year-on-year increase, as it continues its strategic network expansion and strengthens its position as the fastest-growing airline in the Middle East. The airline's passenger load factor reached 88 per cent, up from 86 per cent in June 2024, highlighting Etihad's success in managing capacity while maintaining robust demand across its routes. The airline's operating fleet now comprises 101 aircraft, supporting its expanding network and ongoing service enhancements. Etihad passenger growth During the first half of 2025, Etihad welcomed 10.2m travellers on board, reflecting a 17 percent rise from the same period in 2024. The average passenger load factor for the year to date stands at an impressive 87 percent. Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said: 'We are pleased to see continued momentum in our growth, with passenger numbers in June increasing by 17 percent year-on-year in the first half of the year, maintaining our position as the fastest-growing airline in the Middle East. 'Our year-to-date figures show that more than 10m guests have flown with us in 2025, and our rolling 12-month total has almost reached 20m as our customers continue to place their trust in our service. 'Our route expansion continued in June as we began operating to Prague and Warsaw for the first time and resumed five seasonal routes to summer hotspots Nice Malaga Mykonos Santorini Antalya'
Khaleej Times
3 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
India's Madhya Pradesh offers airlines Dh66,000 per trip to resume direct Dubai flight
Indian expats disheartened by the discontinuation of the lone direct flight to Madhya Pradesh from Dubai last year could soon be in luck — the central Indian state is looking to lure airlines back with per-trip incentives. The Madhya Pradesh government is considering offering up to Rs1.5 million (around Dh66,000) per flight to airlines operating direct international services from the state to destinations currently without such connectivity, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav told Khaleej Times on Monday during his Dubai visit. The plan is part of the state's forthcoming Civil Aviation Policy, which aims to boost global access from Madhya Pradesh, home to cities like Indore, Bhopal, and Gwalior. 'We are deliberating the fine print. We hope the incentive will attract airlines to explore new international routes from Madhya Pradesh,' Yadav said. The proposal comes nearly a year after Air India Express discontinued its Indore–Dubai flight, which had launched in March 2023. Currently, the low-cost carrier operates four flights a week between Sharjah and Indore. There are no direct flights to Bhopal, the state's capital. Yadav's visit to Dubai was aimed at strengthening trade, tourism, and industrial ties between Madhya Pradesh and the UAE. 'We've had some very productive meetings with key stakeholders across multiple sectors,' he told Khaleej Times. Over two packed days, the chief minister met with Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade; Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group; Arab Parliament President Mohammed Al Yamahi; and several top Indian-origin business leaders based in the Emirates," according to a press release. "We are looking to position Madhya Pradesh as a rising global investment hub, particularly in renewable energy, textiles, logistics, electric vehicles, and food processing," he said. One of the outcomes was an agreement to set up a permanent coordination mechanism at the Indian Embassy level to ensure continuous engagement between Madhya Pradesh and the UAE. Indian Consul General Satish Kumar Sivan will serve as a key liaison to facilitate direct engagement between the state's industries department and Dubai-based investors. Yadav also made a strong pitch for UAE participation in Madhya Pradesh's plug-and-play industrial parks, including the PM Mitra Park for textiles in Dhar, medical and electronics clusters in Ujjain and Bhopal, and various renewable energy zones.
