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Why Grant Thornton
Whether you’re growing in one market or many, looking to operate more effectively, managing risk and regulation, or realising stakeholder value, our firms can help.
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Culture and experience
Grant Thornton’s culture is one of our most valuable assets and has steered us in the right direction for more than 100 years.
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Global scale and capability
Beyond global scale, we embrace what makes each market unique, local understanding on a global scale.
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Join our network
In a world that wants more options for high quality services, we differentiate in the market to grow sustainably in today’s rapidly changing environment.
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Leadership governance and quality
Grant Thornton International Ltd acts as the coordinating entity for member firms in the network with a focus on areas such as strategy, risk, quality monitoring and brand.
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Africa
24 member firms supporting your business.
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Americas
31 member firms, covering 44 markets and over 20,000 people.
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Asia-Pacific
19 member firms with nearly 25,000 people to support you.
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Europe
53 member firms supporting your business.
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Middle East
8 member firms supporting your business.
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Business consulting services
Our business consulting services can help you improve your operational performance and productivity, adding value throughout your growth life cycle.
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Business process solutions
We can help you identify, understand and manage potential risks to safeguard your business and comply with regulatory requirements.
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Business risk services
The relationship between a company and its auditor has changed. Organisations must understand and manage risk and seek an appropriate balance between risk and opportunities.
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Cybersecurity
As organisations become increasingly dependent on digital technology, the opportunities for cyber criminals continue to grow.
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Forensic services
At Grant Thornton, we have a wealth of knowledge in forensic services and can support you with issues such as dispute resolution, fraud and insurance claims.
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Mergers and acquisitions
We work with entrepreneurial businesses in the mid-market to help them assess the true commercial potential of their planned acquisition and understand how the purchase might serve their longer-term strategic goals.
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Recovery and reorganisation
Workable solutions to maximise your value and deliver sustainable recovery.
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Transactional advisory services
We can support you throughout the transaction process – helping achieve the best possible outcome at the point of the transaction and in the longer term.
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Valuations
We provide a wide range of services to recovery and reorganisation professionals, companies and their stakeholders.
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IFRS
At Grant Thornton, our IFRS advisers can help you navigate the complexity of financial reporting from IFRS 1 to IFRS 17 and IAS 1 to IAS 41.
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Audit quality monitoring
Having a robust process of quality control is one of the most effective ways to guarantee we deliver high-quality services to our clients.
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Global audit technology
Our global assurance technology platform provides the ability to conduct client acceptance, consultations and all assurance and other attestation engagements.
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Corporate and business tax
Our trusted teams can prepare corporate tax files and ruling requests, support you with deferrals, accounting procedures and legitimate tax benefits.
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Direct international tax
Our teams have in-depth knowledge of the relationship between domestic and international tax laws.
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Global mobility services
Through our global organisation of member firms, we support both companies and individuals, providing insightful solutions to minimise the tax burden for both parties.
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Indirect international tax
Using our finely tuned local knowledge, teams from our global organisation of member firms help you understand and comply with often complex and time-consuming regulations.
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Transfer pricing
The laws surrounding transfer pricing are becoming ever more complex, as tax affairs of multinational companies are facing scrutiny from media, regulators and the public
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Africa tax desk
A differentiating solution adapted to the context of your investments in Africa.
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Banking Holding banking to account: the real diversity and inclusion pictureWe explore how the banking sector can continue to attract, retain and nurture women to build a more diverse and inclusive future.
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Sustainability From voluntary to mandatory ESG: How banks can future-proof their operationsAs we move from voluntary ESG initiatives to mandatory legislation, we explore what the banking sector needs to prioritise.
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IFRS IFRS 9 - Audit of Expected Credit LossesGPPC releases The Auditor’s response to the risks of material misstatement posed by estimates of expected credit losses under IFRS 9
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growthiQ Steering your company to long-term successHistory has something important to tell us about the difficulties of steering a business to long-term success – through seismic shifts in technology, consumer demands and product development. With that in mind it’s unsurprising that over half the world’s largest companies in the early 1900s had shut their doors by the late 1990s. Some, however, have endured.
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International Financial Reporting Standards Implementation of IFRS 17 ‘Insurance Contracts’The auditor’s response to the risks of material misstatement arising from estimates made in applying IFRS 17 ‘Insurance Contracts’
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IFRS Get ready for IFRS 17After twenty years of development the IASB has published IFRS 17 ‘Insurance Contracts’, find out more.
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Global business pulse - industry analysis Mid-market recovery spreads to more industriesThe index results for 13 key industries of the mid-market reveals a very uneven recovery from COVID-19
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Global business pulse - industry analysis A very uneven recovery across industriesThe index results for 13 key industries of the mid-market reveals a very uneven recovery from COVID-19
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Global business pulse - Sector analysis Clear patterns of damage from COVID-19 across the industriesThe index results for 12 key sectors of the mid-market reveal just how much or little the various parts of the economy were impacted by COVID-19.
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Not for profit Mission: possible – putting impact at the heart of charityGlobal charitable continues to decline and charity leaders are increasingly looking at their own unique impact journey.
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Access to finance Raise finance to invest in changePrepare your business to raise finance to invest in change.
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Private equity firms Private equity in the mid-market: reshaping strategies for 2021When the global COVID-19 pandemic stormed across the globe in early 2020, the private equity sector was hit hard but deals are coming back to the market.
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Mid-market businesses Getting ready for private equity investmentOur specialists explore how private equity firms are now working with their portfolios and how the mid-market can benefit from investment.
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Mid-market businesses Myth-busting private equityNervous about partnering with Private Equity? We explore some of the common myths we come across when speaking to mid-market businesses about PE investment.
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Public sector Helping build the government of tomorrow, todayLearn about the Grant Thornton US public sector team.
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Global business pulse - industry analysis Mid-market recovery spreads to more industriesThe index results for 13 key industries of the mid-market reveals a very uneven recovery from COVID-19
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Global business pulse - industry analysis A very uneven recovery across industriesThe index results for 13 key industries of the mid-market reveals a very uneven recovery from COVID-19
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Global business pulse - Sector analysis Clear patterns of damage from COVID-19 across the industriesThe index results for 12 key sectors of the mid-market reveal just how much or little the various parts of the economy were impacted by COVID-19.
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Industries European Real Estate PodcastJessica Patel, Tax Partner at Grant Thornton UK speaks with tax partners and directors across the network to share their insights on the real estate market and some of the challenges.
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Industries European Real Estate PodcastJessica Patel, Tax Partner at Grant Thornton UK speaks with tax partners and directors across the network to share their insights on the real estate market and some of the challenges.
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Global business pulse - industry analysis Mid-market recovery spreads to more industriesThe index results for 13 key industries of the mid-market reveals a very uneven recovery from COVID-19
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Global business pulse - industry analysis A very uneven recovery across industriesThe index results for 13 key industries of the mid-market reveals a very uneven recovery from COVID-19
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Global business pulse - industry analysis Mid-market recovery spreads to more industriesThe index results for 13 key industries of the mid-market reveals a very uneven recovery from COVID-19
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Global business pulse - industry analysis A very uneven recovery across industriesThe index results for 13 key industries of the mid-market reveals a very uneven recovery from COVID-19
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Retail How retail is positioning for successCOVID-19 provided some hard lessons for the retail industry. It is time to turn those into sustainable and well executed growth strategies in 2021.
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Telecoms Can tech and telecom leverage economic headwindsAs most businesses brace for an economic downturn, tech and telecom could see new prospects. But, to turn the headwinds to your advantage, you need to find your unique opportunities and risks.
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Technology Mid-market tech companies lead the way on diversity and inclusionWe explore how the mid-market tech sector can continue to build and nurture a culture that’s increasingly more diverse and inclusive for women.
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Technology Responding to slowing growth: why the tech industry faces a more challenging outlook in 2022We spoke to tech experts about industry trends that could affect companies over the next 12 months and what their short-term strategic priorities should be.
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Tax Resetting global tax rules after the pandemicBusinesses are seeing rising challenges, and finance heads are dealing with a range of new measures. To say the next 12 months are critical for businesses is an understatement.
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Telecoms Can tech and telecom leverage economic headwindsAs most businesses brace for an economic downturn, tech and telecom could see new prospects. But, to turn the headwinds to your advantage, you need to find your unique opportunities and risks.
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TMT TMT industry: Fully charged or on standby?Our research revealed five key trends that resonated with Technology, Media and Telecoms (TMT) industry leaders around the world. We asked a panel of our experts from UK, US, India Ireland and Germany, to give us their reaction to the findings.
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Cybersecurity One size fits nothingTechnology companies must adopt a new approach to digital risk: those that successfully develop a reputation for digital trust by demonstrating an unwavering commitment to cyber security and data privacy will be able to carve out a competitive advantage.
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Technology, media & telecommunications Why it’s time for a 5G reality checkFigures suggest the mobile sector is maturing. While data usage continues to soar, mobile revenues are expected to flatten out over the next few years.
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International business Mid-market businesses lifted by rising tide of optimismOptimism among global mid-market business leaders rose to 67% in the first half of this year and they are markedly more optimistic about their prospects with global optimism having increased by 8%.
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Global business pulse - industry analysis Mid-market recovery spreads to more industriesThe index results for 13 key industries of the mid-market reveals a very uneven recovery from COVID-19
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Hotels COVID-19: Checking in with the hotel industry one year onCOVID-19 provided some hard lessons for the hotel sector. It is time to turn those into sustainable and well executed growth strategies.
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Global business pulse - industry analysis A very uneven recovery across industriesThe index results for 13 key industries of the mid-market reveals a very uneven recovery from COVID-19
- By topic
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Women in Business 2024
2024 marks the 20th year of monitoring and measuring the proportion of women occupying senior management roles around the world.
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COP28: Mid-market firms should seize the opportunity from adaption and innovation
COP28 was the first time there has been a global stocktake on progress against the Paris Agreement.
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Scanning the horizon: Mid-market sets sights on global trade growth
The latest International Business Report (IBR) data shows that mid-market businesses have high expectations for global trade.
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Mid-market businesses less optimistic, despite record numbers expecting increased profitability
A closer examination of the data offers some explanation of this apparent contradiction.
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Women in tech: A pathway to gender balance in top tech roles
Grant Thornton’s 2024 Women in Business data suggests we are far from achieving parity within the mid-market technology sector.
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Women in leadership: a pathway to better performance
What makes the benefits of gender parity compelling is the impact it can have on commercial performance.
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Women in Business 2024
2024 marks the 20th year of monitoring and measuring the proportion of women occupying senior management roles around the world.
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Women in business: Regional picture
We saw an increase in the percentage of senior management roles held by women, on a global level, but there are some significant regional and country variations.
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Pathways to Parity: Leading the way
To push towards parity of senior management roles held by women, who leads within an organisation is vital.
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Generating real change with a long-term focus
The most successful strategy to achieve parity of women in senior management is one which stands alone, independent of an ESG strategy.
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People at the heart of great business
Businesses have started to put guidelines and incentives in place, focused on driving employees back to the office.
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Focusing and developing a solid strategy around diversity, equity and inclusion
Grant Thornton Greece is pioneering a growing set of diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) initiatives that centre around three strategic pillars.
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Ten considerations for preparing TCFD climate-related financial disclosures
Insights for organisations preparing to implement the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB)’s Standards.
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COP28: Mid-market firms should seize the opportunity from adaption and innovation
COP28 was the first time there has been a global stocktake on progress against the Paris Agreement.
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Transition Plan Taskforce publishes its final disclosure framework
As organisations in the private sector make commitments and plans to reach net zero, there's a growing need for stakeholders to be able to assess the credibility of their transition plans.
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Promoting ESG excellence through tax
ESG considerations have never been more important for an organisation’s long-term success, but how can tax be used to add value to an ESG agenda?
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International business: Mid-market growth and expansion
The mid-market looks to international business opportunities for growth.
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Top five constraints to international business in the mid-market
Top five major constraints that are testing the mid-market’s ability to grow their businesses internationally.
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Brand and international marketing – breaking global barriers
Brand has been identified as a key driver of mid-market success when looking to grow and develop international business.
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The key to international business: Investing in people
How can recruitment and retention help grow international business?
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Building resilience in international business
Evolving supply chains and trade patterns amid ongoing global uncertainty.
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IFRS Alerts
IFRS Alerts covering the latest changes published by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).
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Example Financial Statements
General guidance for preparers of financial statements that supports the commitment to high quality, consistent application of IFRS.
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Insights into IFRS 2
Insights into IFRS 2 summarises the key areas of the Standard, highlighting aspects that are more difficult to interpret and revisiting the most relevant features that could impact your business.
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IFRS 3
Mergers and acquisitions are becoming more common as entities aim to achieve their growth objectives. IFRS 3 ‘Business Combinations’ contains the requirements for these transactions.
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IFRS 8
Our ‘Insights into IFRS 8’ series considers some key implementation issues and includes interpretational guidance in certain problematic areas.
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IFRS 16
Are you ready for IFRS 16? This series of insights will help you prepare.
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IAS 36
Insights into IAS 36 provides assistance for preparers of financial statements and help where confusion has been seen in practice.
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IFRS 17
Explaining the key features of the Standard and providing insights into its application and impact.
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Pillar 2
Key updates and support for the global implementation of Pillar 2.
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Global expatriate tax guide
Growing businesses that send their greatest assets – their people – overseas to work can face certain tax burdens, our global guide highlights the common tax rates and issues.
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International indirect tax guide
Navigating the global VAT, GST and sales tax landscape.
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Global transfer pricing guide
Helping you easily find everything you need to know about the rules and regulations regarding transfer pricing and Country by Country reporting for every country you do business with.
Making life easier for businesses
The GCC states are at different points on the journey but the UAE and Saudi Arabia are leading the way when it comes to attracting inbound investment.
The UAE is already seeing a return on its investment as it modernises its legislative and regulatory system to support a diversified economy. Its eight-place rise in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index between 2016 and 2017[ii] shows it is challenging myths around doing business in the region.
The UAE, which is well on its way to achieving its latest phase of growth set out in its Vision 2021, published in 2010[iii], has also climbed 12 places in the World Bank Index of places to start a business (rising from 65th to 53rd over the past year)[iv].
Furthermore, the introduction of new bankruptcy laws at the end of 2016[v] in the UAE, is likely to improve the UAE’s ranking. This is part of a series of measures to protect companies facing business challenges. It is no longer a criminal offence not to declare bankruptcy within 30 days should you be unable to pay your debts, nor it is it a criminal offence to have a cheque bounce. This removes the fear of jail for business leaders in financial difficulty.
Cynthia Habib, a director at Grant Thornton UAE, says: “The new bankruptcy law has enabled banks to change their approach with businesses in trouble, as they can now sit down at the table and discuss debt restructuring. I believe this will encourage a healthier, more robust business environment, which will bring comfort to owners and investors.”
Saudi Arabia is also pressing ahead with diversification launching its Vision 2030 in 2016[vi]. In it, the government sets out its ambition to increase non-oil government revenue from SAR 163 billion to SAR 1 trillion by 2030. This includes goals to increase the GDP contribution made by small and medium-sized enterprises’ from 20% to 35% and for the country to be in the top 10 countries on the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Index, (currently 29th)[vii]. More importantly, they commit to better infrastructure, world-class education, healthcare and an open and transparent environment for citizens and residents.
Financial services and technology lead the way
The financial sector is arguably the most important industry in terms of attracting inbound investment to GCC countries (see panel for more details). But the technology industry is also playing an important role as governments explore how they can deliver services electronically as part of their reformation agenda. Both the UAE and KSA are also home to rapidly developing e-commerce markets, aided by growing affluent millennial populations.
Elsewhere in the region, as part of Abu Dhabi’s Economic Vision 2030[viii], the Emirate aims to be the region’s fintech hub, having recently signed a deal with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. The two countries plan to collaborate on key technologies, such as blockchain and distributed ledgers, and have developed a strategic framework to help entrepreneurs navigate the regulatory requirements of setting up[ix].
Why insider knowledge is crucial when considering GCC countries
Even with all the new initiatives and favourable conditions, there are still many considerations for those looking to grow in GCC countries.
Company structure is one area that often causes confusion for inbound investors. Free zones, for example, are areas in which an expatriate can have 100% ownership of a company and have special tax, customs and import rules. Elsewhere, limited companies must be majority (51%) owned by Emiratis.
However, if based in a free zone it is difficult to work with companies outside the zone, therefore there are further considerations needed, such as whether to set yourself up as an on-shore or off-shore entity. What’s more, for those in some free zones new rules are changing the dynamics (see panel). There is also the added complication of the introduction of a 5% VAT in January 2018 with accountants waiting to learn how this will affect those based in the free zones.
Habib says: “It is best to take advice, early on, in respect of structuring. When a company plans to grow, or exit through a merger, acquisition or initial public offering, it will be much more economical and efficient for investors to work with a clean structure, otherwise the deal becomes expensive and less attractive.”
The current economic diversification by governments across the emerging economies is projected to contribute almost $1 trillion to global GDP by 2020[x], something that will not only safeguard the regional economy, but also act as a benchmark for similar economies looking to diversify.
Another key consideration for businesses looking to operate in GCC countries is access to talent. There will continue to be a reliance by businesses on expatriates, attracted by the dynamic and low tax environment, who can bring specialist skills to the region for some time.
However, increased access to further education and government initiatives such as Saudisation and Omanisation, have fueled the growth of the national workforce. The workforce is young, with for example 50.8 percent of the KSA population under 25 years. Many nationals coming through are also second- or third- generation entrepreneurs, well networked on the ground. Therefore, the most successful companies entering the market will be those who blend expat skills with national talent to achieve their goals.
Seize the opportunities
There is a lot of excitement about the growing opportunities but it is a fast-paced environment full of pitfalls for the unwary. As Farouk explains: “The region has several nuances which include cultural, financial and regulatory. However, above all, the rising and more pertinent role which the GCC will play in the global economy of the future can no longer be ignored.”
For further information or to discuss the opportunities across the region, please contact grantthornton@ae.gt.com.
How the DIFC is appealing to financial services
In its bid to become the Gulf’s main banking hub, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is aiming to double in size by 2024, aided by the introduction of a range of investment-attracting measures.
It has set itself the target of having 1,000 financial firms with $250 billion of assets under management and a 50,000-strong workforce by 2024[xi]. Already in 2017, several large companies have announced they are to move to the DIFC free zone, including European asset management giant Amundi, which opened a regional office there in May 2016[xii].
Growth is being fuelled by a number of regulatory changes. As early as 2014, Dubai announced it was to change its financial rules to attract more asset managers to base themselves in the Emirate – particularly those serving the wealthiest investors, such as hedge funds and private equity funds. The rules created a new class of funds that can be domiciled in the DIFC, but are liable to less stringent regulation[xiii].
There is now also likely to be a growth in property-based funds, including real estate investment trusts (REITs), after a recent agreement between the DIFC and Dubai Land Department enabling companies in the zone to purchase and register properties. It is hoped that the move will lead to more international institutional investment in Dubai’s burgeoning property market[xiv].
ICD Brookfield Place, a Foster and Partners designed skyscraper that is being built in Dubai’s financial district illustrates how this new approach is paying dividends. Brookfield Place is a $1 billion joint venture between the Investment Corporation of Dubai and Canada’s Brookfield Asset Management. It is one of the first times that a UAE developer has successfully tapped into institutional investment from outside the GCC.[xv]
Of course, Dubai isn’t the only city in the region looking to boost its financial credentials, its Emirati neighbour Abu Dhabi is also developing this market[xvi], as is KSA’s Riyadh[xvii][xviii].
References
[i] www.imf.org - Economic Diversification in Oil-Exporting Arab Countries
[ii] http://www.doingbusiness.org/ - The World Bank - Ease of Doing Business in United Arab Emirates
[iii] www.dubaiplan2021.ae/ - Dubai Plan 2021
[iv] http://www.doingbusiness.org/rankings - The World Bank - Economy Rankings
[v] www.thenational.ae/business/economy/ - The National, UAE bankruptcy law could to come into effect by end of this year
[vi] vision2030.gov.sa/en
[ix] www.finews.asia
[xi] www.difc.ae/ - Dubai International Finance Centre, Dubai International Financial Centre Set to Triple in Size by 2024, as Part of Centre's Newly Announced 2024 Strategy
[xii] http://www.internationalinvestment.net - Amundi opens Dubai office as it expands into MENA region
[xiii] http://www.reuters.com/ - Dubai creates new fund class to lure asset managers
[xv] www.ft.com/
[xvi] https://www.ecouncil.ae/ - The Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030
[xvii] vision2030.gov.sa/en
[xviii] http://www.cpifinancial.net - The transformation of Saudi Arabia; what are the opportunities for financial services companies?