Filipino Expats Qatar

Yesterday I attended the Middle East Tax Conferece in Dubai. This is spearheaded by Ernst & Young International and should be attended by Senior Tax Financial Executives (mind you I am just a nobody in my company but that is another story).

Among other alarming issues is the introduction of Value Added Tax in the Middle East region which is quite positive to be implemented here. They will initiate this in the UAE in 2010 but as early as mid this year, Qatar, if there will be no changes, they will start the awareness program. They plan to implement this in 2012 here if UAE will have positive results for this.

However, financial aspect will not be the only one to be considered here - they should also include the social impact because the idea of Value Added Tax is ultimately burdened by consumers. This will be plus plus to the surging rents, more expensive tomato and pampers, and finally, the inflation rate. The higher the inflation rate, the tighter the belt that we should wear.

Unlike in the Philippines, we cannot do anything against it. All we can just do is pray that this will not post through, otherwise, we decide to make another exodus and settle for a better region or still sacrifice under the sea of sun.