The UAE charts a course for smarter tax systems across the Belt and Road Initiative

At an international forum in Jakarta, the Federal Tax Authority's leadership emphasised how digital innovation and regional cooperation can transform tax administration and strengthen economic ties across participating nations.

In the intricate machinery of global commerce, few mechanisms prove as consequential as tax administration. It is here, in the careful coordination of fiscal systems across borders, that the foundations of international trade find their stability. This principle animated the seventh Belt and Road Initiative Tax Administration Cooperation Forum, held recently in Jakarta under the theme ‘Smart Taxation, Shared Prosperity’, where delegates from tax authorities, international organisations and leading enterprises gathered to chart a course towards more efficient and cooperative systems.

Abdulaziz Mohammed Al Mulla, Director General of the Federal Tax Authority, addressed the forum in his capacity as Vice-Chair, articulating a vision rooted in shared purpose. The UAE’s participation reflects not merely attendance at a multinational gathering, but an active commitment to advancing how nations work together on fiscal matters. Al Mulla outlined how cooperation among Belt and Road Initiative countries creates channels for the exchange of expertise and information, facilitating the adoption of smart systems that streamline tax transactions and encourage the flow of trade and investment across regions.

The Director General’s remarks emphasised that strengthening tax cooperation mechanisms among participating nations represents a vital step towards reinforcing economic ties. The forum’s discussions spanned crucial terrain: improving the tax environment, the role of information technology in enhancing compliance, and the integration of smart systems into tax administration. These conversations reflect a shared recognition that technological innovation and digital transformation are no longer optional refinements but essential elements of modern fiscal governance.

Beyond the main forum, the UAE delegation, which included Saida Kaddoumi Osman, Policy Advisor at FTA, and Ahmed Al Yaqoubi, Director of the Digital Services Department, participated in a specialist seminar addressing taxation, the digital economy and cryptoassets through the lens of Islamic Shariah principles. Al Mulla presented on the UAE’s own experience in digital transformation, highlighting how modern technologies support continuous development in tax administration. The Authority’s plans to establish a smart tax system that delivers high-quality services with the highest levels of efficiency and accuracy serve as a model aligned with international best practices.

The forum also provided opportunity for bilateral engagement. The UAE delegation held meetings with representatives from the Egyptian Tax Authority and Kazakhstan’s Government Revenue Committee, exploring avenues for deepened cooperation and the exchange of expertise. Such conversations underscore how international forums create space not merely for formal declarations but for the practical work of building lasting partnerships.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

The UAE’s active leadership in this forum positions the nation as a key voice in shaping how tax administration evolves across one of the world’s most dynamic economic corridors. As the Federal Tax Authority continues its commitment to digital transformation, the principles articulated at the Jakarta forum reinforce the importance of integrating technology and artificial intelligence into fiscal systems, enhancing both efficiency and competitiveness. This international engagement strengthens Abu Dhabi’s standing as a hub for financial innovation and economic cooperation.

For residents and businesses in the emirate, the broader implications are significant. Enhanced tax cooperation mechanisms and the adoption of smarter systems internationally create a more seamless environment for cross-border transactions and investment. The UAE’s demonstrated expertise in digital tax transformation, coupled with its bilateral partnerships with major trading partners, supports the conditions necessary for sustained economic growth and the smooth flow of commerce through Abu Dhabi’s markets.

Source: WAM