Cooperation agreement between Federal Tax Authority (UAE) and New Economy Academy set to advance the UAE tax sector.
Dubai: The UAE’s push to build homegrown tax expertise has gathered pace with the rollout of the first phase of the Emirati Tax Agent Programme, as authorities work to strengthen national capabilities in a sector that supports the country’s economy.
The initiative, announced at Emaar Square Building in Dubai, is being led by the Federal Tax Authority (UAE) in collaboration with the New Economy Academy.
Among the notable attendees were Abdulaziz Mohammed Al Mulla; Khaled Ahmed Bin Braik; and Dr Laila Faridoon.
The event also saw the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Federal Tax Authority (UAE) and the New Economy Academy.
Part of national entrepreneurship vision
The programme has been launched under the ‘The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World’ campaign, a national initiative aimed at strengthening the United Arab Emirates’s position as a global hub for entrepreneurship.
Supervised by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism (UAE) in collaboration with the UAE Government Media Office and the UAE Council for Entrepreneurship, the campaign has brought together public and private sector partners to support the development of a competitive and future-ready economy.
In an interview, Abdulaziz Mohammed Al Mulla said the programme aims to “qualify and empower a new generation of certified Emirati tax agents” to strengthen their role in the financial and tax sectors.
“Through the programme, UAE nationals are being prepared to work in a wide and evolving financial sector, ensuring readiness to deal with future economic and legislative developments,” he said.
He added that the initiative will help establish a network of certified local tax agents to support both the public and private sectors across the country.
Structured pathway to certification
The Emirati Tax Agent Programme has been designed to equip UAE nationals with both technical knowledge and practical skills. It offers two accredited diplomas covering value added tax (VAT) and corporate tax through intensive training modules that combine regulatory theory with real-world applications.
The VAT diploma runs for six days and covers the legal and regulatory framework of VAT in the UAE, including registration processes, filing procedures, invoicing requirements, and applied case studies.
The corporate tax diploma, meanwhile, spans 11 days and focuses on the fundamentals of the UAE’s corporate tax system, including compliance procedures, tax liabilities, deductions, disclosure requirements, and practical exercises based on real-world scenarios.
Participants will also be trained in line with international best practices, strengthening their professional capabilities while contributing to the UAE’s competitiveness in the global market.
Strengthening national talent in tax sector
Officials said the programme is expected to play a key role in building a pipeline of Emirati professionals capable of raising tax awareness, applying specialised expertise, and developing skills across various areas of the sector.
Graduates will be able to pursue a range of career paths, including registering as certified tax agents or offering tax advisory services to organisations, further strengthening the United Arab Emirates’s position as a leading global business hub.
Dr Laila Faridoon said: “One of the main real challenges is the lack of qualified Emirati tax agents. This programme will bridge the gap and provide the required talent to advance the tax sector within the UAE, strengthen transparency, and meet all requirements in the tax system.”
Registration open to UAE nationals
Registration for the programme is open to UAE nationals via the New Economy Academy’s official website. All course materials are provided in both Arabic and English to ensure accessibility and inclusivity.
The first phase marks the beginning of a broader effort to build a sustainable national pool of certified tax professionals aligned with the UAE’s long-term economic goals.
Dr Laila Faridoon added: “It’s the right time to participate because of the dynamic economy we are witnessing globally. It’s the right time because it aligns with the UAE’s national agenda and because it is happening now.”
