May 2010: Ernst & Young hosted its Middle East Tax Conference in Dubai under the theme ‘Challenges and Opportunities: Bridging the gap’. The primary objective of the conference was to offer senior finance and tax executives a platform to discuss the new fiscal and associated regulatory developments impacting their organization’s business decisions. During the exclusive two-day event, the conference explored recent changes in the fiscal environment within the Middle East and provided senior executives with the opportunity to learn more about recent developments with respect to tax and foreign investment in the region to enable them to successfully implement their Middle East tax and business strategies.

Commenting on the conference, Mr. Ali Samara Principal of the Tax Service Line, at Ernst & Young Jordan said: “The conference targeted organizations that are already operational in the Middle East and those that are also seeking to do business in the region. We offered participants insights on the most notable tax developments in the region including the new tax laws that were recently promulgated in several countries. The Conference’s sessions were planned to highlight tax regimes and practices in Iraq and Libya because of the increased international interest in investing in those countries. In addition to the latest developments and future trends in local country taxation, evolving practices relating to application of tax treaties and transfer pricing rules across the region were also highlighted.”

Presentations were led by senior Ernst & Young executives who specialize in regional and international taxation and fiscal advisory. In addition to the full day of interactive plenary sessions, attendees were also given the opportunity to attend a private client meeting on 25th March where delegates met with Ernst & Young’s Tax executives from Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Bahrain, Lebanon, Iraq, Tunisia, Morocco, Pakistan and UAE to independently discuss specific tax issues concerning their companies.

Having started in 2004, Ernst & Young’s Tax Conference brings together the firm’s network of senior tax partners and executives to share their recent experiences in assisting companies doing business in the Middle East.

About Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young is one of the biggest local and international leaders in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services, and began its operations in Amman, Jordan, in 1953. Today, our operations in Amman have grown to encompass over 200 employees under the management of three local partners.
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About Ernst & Young Middle East
The Middle East practice of Ernst & Young has been operating in the region since 1923. For over 85 years, we have evolved our operations in line with the legal and commercial developments of the region. We have over 4,200 people united across 20 offices and 15 Arab countries, sharing the same values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential.
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About Ernst & Young Global
Ernst & Young is one of the world’s leading professional service organizations and one of the Big Four auditors. Our international resources enable us to deliver a consistent level of quality from one country to another, and all of our 144,000 people located across more than140 countries worldwide, practice under common professional, ethical and independence standards.
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This news release has been distributed by Bidaya Corporate Communications on behalf of Ernst & Young Jordan.
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