The Statistics Centre Abu Dhabi is launching 10 statistical surveys this year to gauge the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on various sectors of the emirate’s economy.
The surveys include an annual economic survey, quarterly economic survey, annual foreign investment survey, quarterly foreign direct investment survey and research and development survey.
“Statistical surveys represent an effective tool in the development of a comprehensive and integrated statistical database for the emirate of Abu Dhabi,” Ahmed Hamad Al Shaiba Al Sheryani, executive director of the data sector at SCAD, said.
“It is through the survey outputs that data becomes available for analysis and subsequent compilation and dissemination [of] official statistics according to international standards.”
Other studies will focus on the environment, an economic frame update, foreign trade and services, energy and the labour force.
Abu Dhabi's economy is poised to grow 6 per cent to 8 per cent over the next two years, driven by government spending, financial services and foreign direct investment, Mohammed Al Shorafa, chairman of the emirate's Department of Economic Development said earlier this year.
Last week, S&P Global Ratings affirmed the investment grade rating of the emirate, citing the resilience of its economic fundamentals and large fiscal buffers supported by revenue from the hydrocarbon sector.
Last month, the SCAD and Abu Dhabi Investment Office signed an agreement to exchange data that will help businesses and policymakers in the emirate to make more informed decisions.
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RedCrow Intelligence Company Profile
Started: 2016
Founders: Hussein Nasser Eddin, Laila Akel, Tayeb Akel
Based: Ramallah, Palestine
Sector: Technology, Security
# of staff: 13
Investment: $745,000
Investors: Palestine’s Ibtikar Fund, Abu Dhabi’s Gothams and angel investors
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
F1 The Movie
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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
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