Gulf Cooperation Council: VAT Rate of 5% to be Introduced in 2018

Analysis

The Gulf Cooperation Council countries have announced they have agreed to introduce a VAT rate of 5% in 2018.

However, the tax won't be applied on specific industries like education, and health care, while staple food items will also be exempted from VAT.

The UAE is predicted to produce almost USD 2.72bn to USD 3.26bn as a result of introducing VAT in the first year of implementation alone.