Author page: Waasif Shahabun

The UAE offers multiple paths for entrepreneurs and investors to set up a company, but choosing between a Free Trade Zone (FTZ) and a Mainland setup can significantly impact your operations, licensing, access to markets, and long-term strategy. This guide will help you understand the core differences, advantages, and disadvantages of both options — and…

With global tax transparency intensifying and local scrutiny from SARS increasing, South African HNWIs and corporates are reassessing their offshore structures — not only for compliance, but to ensure strategic relevance in today’s environment. 🔎 What’s Trending in 2025? 🇨🇾 Cyprus: Still a strong EU-compliant jurisdiction with attractive IP regimes, substance options, and access to…

Written by: Dr. Alexander Kern, Head of Middle East With insights from Sebastien Flak, Executive Client Relationships – Switzerland, TrustQore In the world of private capital, trends rarely announce themselves loudly. But sometimes, a shift is too large to ignore. Over the last 12 months, my colleague Sebastien Flak and I have seen something unprecedented:…

How TrustQore Structures Enabled Growth, Global Reach, and Access to Gulf Investors At TrustQore, we support visionary fund managers at every stage—whether launching their first vehicle or expanding an established strategy into new markets. Our role is often discreet but always strategic. The following two stories show how well-designed structures can open access to Gulf…

As global tax landscapes tighten and once-stable jurisdictions shift policies, the world’s wealthy are moving swiftly to secure their legacies—and their balance sheets. The United Kingdom, long considered a magnet for global capital, is now facing the consequences of dismantling its centuries-old non-domiciled (“non-dom”) regime. The result? A growing exodus of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) seeking…

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+…