Madayn takes part in Gulfood 2021

The Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn) is participating in Gulfood 2021, one of the world’s largest annual food and beverage trade shows, which opened at Dubai World Trade Centre on Sunday.

The five-day event features 2,500 companies representing the food and beverage industry from various countries worldwide.

Hamood bin Abdullah al Balushi, Director of Omani Products Department at Madayn, said Madayn is participating at Gulfood for the ninth consecutive year, reflecting its desire to promote Omani products and explore new markets globally.

“Gulfood presents an ideal opportunity for the Omani food industries to feature their high quality products to visitors from different countries. Madayn aims through the exhibition to disseminate awareness on the objectives of ‘Made in Oman’ campaign outside the Sultanate, identify new markets and business opportunities, and attract new consumers regionally and internationally’’, Al Balushi pointed out.

Through Gulfood 2021, the Omani companies aim at enhancing the presence of their products in various markets, and get familiarised with the latest products, trends and technologies in the food and beverage industry.

Sunak, in his speech on March 3, will announce he is increasing corporation tax from 19 pence in the pound and will outline a pathway where it rises to 23 pence in the pound by the time of the next general election

LONDON: British Finance Minister Rishi Sunak (pictured) is set to increase a tax on business to pay for an extension to Covid-19 support schemes in the budget next month, The Sunday Times reported.

Sunak, in his speech on March 3, will announce he is increasing corporation tax from 19 pence in the pound and will outline a pathway where it rises to 23 pence in the pound by the time of the next general election, the report said.

The move will raise an expected £12 billion ($16.8 billion) a year, the report added.

According to the report, at least 1 pence is set to be added to the bill for business from this autumn, at a cost to business of £3 billion, with further rises in subsequent years. Allies of Sunak clarified he would not increase corporation tax higher than 23 per cent.

These measures will be helpful in paying for an extension to the furlough scheme, VAT cuts and business support loans until at least August.

Unlike the 2010 Conservativeled government, which pursued spending cuts to rebalance the economy after the global financial crisis, Sunak is expected to defer most of the toughest decisions about how to pay for that support in his budget speech.

“The corporation tax hike will be higher than expected and the extension of the support schemes will be longer than most people expect’’, the newspaper quoted a source as saying.

Insiders indicated the stamp duty holiday on property purchases would also be extended in line with the other coronavirus support measures, the report said.

Britain’s economy had its biggest slump in 300 years in 2020, when it contracted by 10 per cent, and will shrink by 4 per cent in the first three months of 2021, the Bank of England predicts.