$14.3 Million For Abu Dhabi Car Number Plate "1"

A man named Said Abdul Ghafour Khouri has agreed to pay AED 52.2 Million (US $14.3 Million) for Abu Dhabi license plate labeled "1" at an auction at the 7-star Emirates Palace Hotel here, making it the world's most expensive license plate .

The previous record was held by Abu Dhabi plate number 5 , bought at auction for $6.8 million by stock broker Talal Khouri last year.

"Recession really doesn't affect the Emiratis! - Not that I have anything against them, just a little envious of how the UAE has always protected it's citizens.

And wish that the Politicians forming the Government of India, could do something other than fleecing the Indian public in the name of taxes and making secret Swiss bank accounts that amount in millions of dollars. (i.e. millions accumulated from loyal Indian tax payers)"

NOTE by samuraisam: As pointed out in the comments by Neil Roberts this story is more than 2 years old and hasn't taken place during the Haiti earthquake

The Daily Show: United Arab Emirage

This has been flowing around twitter today:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
United Arab Emirage
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis

UAE will not implement VAT for now

From what I'm reading in this report from Embiz 24/7, looks like the silver lining in the recession is no VAT in the UAE for now:

Hisham Abdullah Al Shirawi, Second Vice-Chairman of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said he is not sure whether VAT will be implemented, adding that in times like these, the government is rather expected to lower its service fees[...]"I would expect the government to take certain actions to minimise governmental fees and the cost of operating business in the private sector so that it can be more competitive and much more active."

What do you think about VAT in the UAE?