The wealthy emirate of Dubai has scrapped its 30 percent tax on alcohol sales, traders said, ostensibly to attract more tourists amid competition between major cities in the Gulf region.
The abolition of this tax, announced on social networks by Maritime and Mercantile International (MMI) and African and Eastern but not confirmed by the authorities, will allow prices to drop among the highest in the world, the pint of beer (a half liters) for an average of fifteen euros.
MMI and African and Eastern have also pointed out that the license to buy alcohol, which applies to non-Muslims over the age of 21 who must source their supplies from Dubai’s few licensed shops, is now free.
“Buying your favorite drinks just got easier and cheaper!” MMI said in a Facebook post.
According to local media, the decision came into effect on January 1.
A financial, commercial and tourist hub, Dubai is also the best-known of the seven members of the Federation of the United Arab Emirates, a Muslim country that is one of the world’s largest oil exporters and has gradually relaxed rules on the consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Unlike neighboring Saudi Arabia, most UAE have licensed liquor stores including hotels, restaurants, bars and specialty shops. However, alcoholic beverages may not be consumed in public.
Of the country’s seven emirates, only Sharjah, neighboring Dubai, bans alcohol entirely.
The move to make Dubai cheaper to consume comes as Saudi Arabia continues strong efforts to attract foreign visitors and businesses, and gas-rich Qatar recently hosted the FIFA World Cup.
According to the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, Dubai attracted more than 12 million foreign visitors in the first 11 months of the year, double the number of nearly six million visitors in the same period in 2021. Dubai.