Author page: Waasif Shahabun

In a historic move, Oman has become the first GCC country to introduce a Personal Income Tax (PIT) regime, marking a significant shift in the region’s fiscal policy. 📅 Effective Date: 1 January 2028 📜 Officially Published: Royal Decree No. 56/2025, issued on 22 June 2025 ⚖️ Key Highlights: ✅ Applicable to residents (Omani citizens…

"It’s Time to Get Out"  How One Tech Founder Moved His Life, Legacy and Liquidity from London to Abu Dhabi With insights from John Blake & Dr. Alexander Kern It was early April when the decision finally landed. A call from his tax adviser confirmed what he’d been dreading: “You’ve missed the non-dom cutoff. You’re…

In today’s world of cross-border families and global assets, the traditional South African trust is no longer always fit for purpose. Clients and advisors alike are asking: “Should we be thinking beyond local structures?” Here’s a quick comparison that might help: A South African trust is governed by local law and overseen by the Master…

👤 Seb, in Switzerland: “You wouldn’t believe how often I hear clients ask about Dubai lately. It’s not just a trend — it feels like a shift.” 👤 Alex, in Dubai: “Absolutely. The interest is real. We see private banks setting up here, family offices relocating or opening satellite structures, and entrepreneurs using Dubai as…

Today, we catch up with Dr. Alexander Kern (Alex), who has recently joined TrustQore’s Dubai office. He brings a wealth of experience to the firm, and we are excited to hear about his journey. Alexander begins by telling us “…the only people who call me Alexander are those who do not know me. I have…

“Whether someone owns a superyacht or builds them for a living, they come to the UAE with a vision—and we help turn that into something lasting.” — Dr. Alexander Kern, Head of Middle East, TrustQore Over the past year, something interesting has been happening in the UAE’s marinas and boardrooms: yacht owners, shipbuilders, and maritime…

Looking to diversify, expand, or structure internationally? Cyprus offers South Africans a powerful jurisdiction for growth. As more South African companies and HNWIs seek access to European markets, Cyprus stands out with: ✅ 12.5% corporate tax rate (among the lowest in the EU) ✅ Double Tax Treaty with South Africa ✅ EU market access (450M+…

To Geneva to meet Simon Swycher, a hugely experienced consultant who joined TrustQore in early 2025. Boasting three decades of experience, specialising in commercial law, he brings a global perspective to the team. Born and raised in Yorkshire, Simon also speaks French and is learning Spanish. He is a proud husband and father of two…

We remember the first call like it was yesterday. A brief introduction, a voice with a quiet sense of urgency, and the outlines of an ambitious vision: a new private equity fund targeting undercapitalized growth sectors in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. The founder—a seasoned investment professional with an impeccable track record—had a strong…

“We’re a $900 million hedge fund… but we still operate like it’s $90 million.” That’s what the founder told us not long ago—half-joking, half-exhausted—during a conversation that started casually and ended up uncovering one of the most common traps in the fund world. From the outside, everything looked like a success story. The numbers were…

It started with a quiet meeting in Monaco. A discreet office overlooking the port, a few cups of espresso, and a family that had built its wealth not on flash, but on steel and seawater. This was one of Italy’s old shipping dynasties—third generation, still family-led, still deeply involved in the day-to-day operations of their…

🌍 In today’s turbulent economic climate — with shifting global tariffs, rising protectionism, and persistent financial market uncertainty — clarity and control over your assets have never been more important. Here in South Africa, the rand continues to feel the pressure of global trade tensions, local policy uncertainty, and infrastructure constraints. As geopolitical alliances shift…