Announcements

Gulf Inclusive Cricket Board officially launched at AccessAbilities Expo in Dubai

Published

2 years ago

October 10, 2024

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The Gulf Inclusive Cricket Board (GICB) has officially launched at the prestigious AccessAbilities Expo in Dubai by the former captain of UAE Cricket Team CP Rizwan, Founder of GICB Ghazal Khan and the Co-founder Sayed Shah Aziz, marking a historic moment for disability cricket in the Gulf region. Founded with the mission to promote and support cricket for differently-abled individuals, GICB is set to redefine inclusivity in sports, creating opportunities for athletes with disabilities to showcase their talents on a global platform.

The official launch, held at the World Trade Center, Dubai, comes as part of GICB’s vision to elevate differently-abled sports and foster an inclusive sporting community across the Gulf. GICB will work in partnership with local and international organizations to promote disability cricket, create employment opportunities for differently-abled individuals, and engage the community through various initiatives such as merchandise sales and inclusive restaurant ventures.

Ghazal Khan, Founder of GICB and a long-standing advocate for the differently-abled community, shared her excitement about this milestone: “The launch of GICB is a dream come true, not just for me but for all the differently-abled athletes in the region. We aim to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to shine, regardless of their physical limitations. This is just the beginning, and we look forward to expanding our initiatives to further break down barriers and empower differently-abled individuals across the Gulf.”

Ghazal organised the first ever International Disability Cricket League namely Divyang Premier League T-20 at Sharjah International Stadium in 2021. Over 100 specially abled cricketers took participate in the 8 franchise based teams. It was a massively successful event.

The launch at the AccessAbilities Expo is particularly symbolic, as the event is dedicated to showcasing the latest innovations and advancements in accessibility and inclusion. GICB’s participation highlights the critical role sports play in empowering individuals with disabilities, providing them with platforms for personal growth, community engagement, and professional development.

As part of its future plans, GICB will organize cricket tournaments for differently-abled athletes across the Gulf region, bringing together players from various countries.

The GICB launch is set to make a lasting impact on the landscape of disability sports in the region, opening doors for athletes to pursue their passion and succeed in their careers.

For more information about GICB and its upcoming projects, please visit our website or follow us on social media.

Related Topics:#cricket #dubaievent #event #gicb

Staff Reporter

Announcements

Small businesses in the UAE now have tax relief until 2029

Published

5 hours ago

August 7, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Small businesses in the UAE with annual revenues of up to Dh3 million will continue to be eligible for Small Business Relief under the corporate tax regime until the end of 2029.

The Ministry of Finance said on Friday that Ministerial Decision No. 131 extends the period during which eligible businesses can benefit from Small Business Relief to cover tax periods ending on or before December 31, 2029.

The relief was introduced to help reduce the corporate tax compliance burden for smaller businesses and start-ups that meet the eligibility requirements.

Dh3 million threshold remains unchanged

The existing annual revenue threshold of Dh3 million, set under Ministerial Decision No. 73 of 2023, will continue to apply.

The relief applies to tax periods beginning on or after June 1, 2023 and, following the latest amendment, will remain available for subsequent tax periods ending on or before December 31, 2029.

Eligible taxable persons with annual revenue of up to Dh3 million can claim Small Business Relief, subject to meeting the conditions and requirements outlined in the corporate tax legislation.

The relief enables qualifying businesses to benefit from simplified corporate tax compliance requirements.

More time for small businesses

The extension provides eligible small businesses and start-ups with additional tax periods to benefit from the relief while continuing to meet the Dh3 million revenue threshold.

The Ministry said the decision is part of its efforts to support smaller companies and entrepreneurs, strengthen the business environment, and encourage sustainable growth and expansion.

Announcements

August fuel rates announced: UAE petrol prices go up

Published

1 week ago

July 31, 2026

Michael Gomes

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UAE motorists will pay more at the pump from Saturday after the UAE Fuel Price Committee announced higher petrol and diesel prices for August 2026.

The revised rates, which take effect from August 1, are:

Super 98: Dh3.60 per litre (up from Dh3.40)
Special 95: Dh3.49 per litre (up from Dh3.29)
E-Plus 91: Dh3.41 per litre (up from Dh3.21)
Diesel: Dh3.80 per litre (up from Dh3.60)

The increase reverses July’s price reduction and comes after volatility in global oil markets during the past month.

The UAE Fuel Price Committee reviews retail fuel prices at the end of each month, with rates determined in line with movements in international oil markets.

The new prices will remain in effect throughout August 2026.

Announcements

UAE’s Jaywan card can now be used for online shopping on thousands of websites

Published

2 weeks ago

July 21, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Online shopping with the UAE’s Jaywan card just got a major upgrade.

Network International has announced that Jaywan cardholders can now use their cards to pay on thousands of online stores connected to its payment gateway, expanding the domestic payment scheme beyond in-store purchases.

The move is expected to make online payments faster and more convenient while supporting the UAE’s push towards a cashless economy.

What is Jaywan?

Launched by Al Etihad Payments, a subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE, Jaywan is the country’s domestic payment card scheme.

It was introduced to provide a secure local payment option, reduce transaction costs and strengthen the UAE’s digital payments ecosystem.

Until now, Jaywan cards were mainly accepted for in-store purchases. With the latest expansion, cardholders can also use them for online shopping across thousands of merchants powered by Network International.

What this means for shoppers

For UAE residents, the update means more flexibility when shopping online.

Whether you’re ordering groceries, booking services or buying products online, you’ll be able to use your Jaywan card anywhere that supports Network International’s payment gateway.

The company says the integration offers secure, fast and seamless online payments, while merchants won’t face additional charges for Jaywan transactions processed through its platform.

A step towards a cashless UAE

The expansion is part of the UAE’s broader strategy to accelerate digital payments and reduce reliance on cash.

By making Jaywan available both in stores and online, payment providers are helping create a more connected digital payment ecosystem for businesses and consumers alike.

As more banks, merchants and payment providers adopt the scheme, residents can expect to see Jaywan accepted across even more everyday payment services in the future.