Annual Report_2017-18_FLIPBOOK PRO_07 Sep 2018

CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE
Dear Members,
THE JOURNEY IS THE REWARD –
STEVE JOBS
My heart is full of deep gratitude
and I am thankful to each one of
you for giving me the opportunity
to serve the Dubai Chapter of ICAI.
My journey with the Chapter started
several years back as an Executive
Committee Member, then as a
Secretary, Vice Chairman and now as the Chairman.
I feel proud to say that ICAI (Dubai) Chapter has made
tremendous progress because of the collective hard work of
our members and visionary leaders year after year. This year
also ICAI (Dubai) Chapter won the Best Overseas Chapter
Award for the 5th consecutive year from the parent body ICAI.
My tenure which began on 30 September 2017 will conclude
officially on 29 September 2018. This one year journey has
been a wonderful experience for me and for my dedicated
team of Office Bearers and Executive Committee Members.
Our focus was to continue with the good work done by the past
Chairmen and committees and keep on upgrading and lead
Dubai Chapter to meet new challenges which we are facing
in our professional field almost every day. We have left no
stone unturned to meet your expectations and aspirations. I
only wish to say one thing – A BIG THANK YOU – for allowing
me to contribute to our wonderful and prestigious ICAI (Dubai)
Chapter.
UAE has implemented Value Added Tax (VAT) this year and
our chapter has played a significant role in spreading the
knowledge of VAT Law. Due to the efforts of our chapter, our
parent body, ICAI has launched VAT Certification Course for
the UAE. This is the first time a certification course is launched
outside India. Our chapter organized first of its kind VAT Clinics
not only in Dubai but also in other emirates like Sharjah, Ras
Al Khaimah and Ajman. We also organized a VAT Clinic at
the Indian Consulate and at the Khaleej Times Office. We
conducted Online VAT Quiz, VAT Zero Hours, VAT Roundtable
Conference, VAT Open Day, VAT Open World.
Our chapter has received tremendous coverage from media.
Number of TV Channels either partnered with us or covered
our events which includes Times Now, CNBC Network 18, Zee
TV, Zee Cinema, India TV, Republic TV. Not only the English but
also Arabic, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi Newspapers
covered our events extensively.
Our Chapter has taken many new initiatives which include, ICAI
(Dubai) Chapter Radio “News You Can Use”, Online Credit
Card Payment, Online Quiz, Knowledge Based Games, Using
Robot as a Part Speaker, Residential Study Camp, etc. One of
the most important agenda of the year was to obtain Non Profit
Incorporation Organization (NPIO) License in DIFC and I am
happy to inform you that our chapter has been incorporated
as an NPIO and opened its office in the DIFC which was
inaugurated by Mr. Arif Amiri, CEO, DIFC on 29 August 2018.
This year our chapter has added a massive 1,133 new members
taking the membership count to 2,913 which shows that 38.89%
of our members are new and have joined the Chapter in the last
12 months. We have generated a record of 62 Events, 146 CPE
Hours, 180 Speakers, Total Cumulative Attendance of 12,675
Members and 54,962 Collective CPE Hours. These numbers
demonstrate that our Chapter has grown from strength to
strength and are testimony that we have been able to deliver
on the milestones we had set for ourselves as a chapter during
our first event on 7 October 2017 “Mega VAT Open Day”.
Our Chapter has maintained good cordial relationships with
the local community in the UAE and we have invited & hosted
eminent Emiratis during our events. These dignitaries include
His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Hon’ble
Cabinet Member and Minister of Tolerance, Government of UAE,
Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General,
General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs-Dubai,
His Excellency Saud Salim Al Mazrouei, Director of Hamriyah
Free Zone and SAIF Zone.
In addition, we have also had an opportunity to host Dr.
Raed Safadi, Chief Economic Adviser, Dubai’s Department
of Economic Development, Mr. Derek O’ Brien, Member of
Parliament, Padma Bhushan Awardee Shri Rajat Sharma,
Chairman & Editor in Chief, India TV, Shri. K. T. Rama Rao,
Telangana State’s Cabinet Minister, Mr. Arnab Goswami,
Managing Director, Republic TV, Dr. Marshall Goldsmith,
Internationally Renowned Coach & Motivational Speaker,
Padmashree & Arjuna Awardee Ms. Deepa Malik, Paralympic
Champion, Ms. Amyra Dastur, Bollywood Actress, Miss India
(2000) & Miss Asia Pacific (2000) Ms. Dia Mirza, Producer,
Actress & Beauty Queen, H. E. Shri. Navdeep Suri, Ambassador
of India to UAE, H. E. Shri. Vipul, Consul General of India to
UAE, to name a few, at various events organized by us.
All this would not have been possible without the help of my cocommittee
members who have supported me all throughout this
year. Big thanks also to the ICAI (Dubai) Chapter staff who have
served the Chapter wholeheartedly. To all our sponsors, thank you
for your continuous support to our chapter. Lastly to all our dear
members, thank you for your active participation and feedback
which gave us the strength and guidance in delivering the best
quality of events and activities.
I must say that this been a great journey of one year for our
Chapter. The Journey is the real Reward. Thank you once again
from the bottom of my heart for making this year a historical &
memorable one.
Annual Report is enclosed.
CA Naveen Sharma
Chairman
ICAI (Dubai) Chapter
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