Federal Tax Authority Celebrates Three Prestigious Wins At Sharjah Public Finance Award Ceremony

The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has achieved significant recognition by securing three awards at the Sharjah Public Finance Award's third edition. Khalid Ali Al Bustani, FTA's Director-General, highlighted these accolades as a testament to the Authority's commitment to innovation and excellence in tax administration. The awards reflect the FTA’s ongoing efforts to enhance its services and promote a culture of voluntary compliance.

Among the awards, the FTA was honoured in the ‘Institution Distinguished in Financial Innovation’ category. This award recognises government entities that have developed innovative solutions to improve financial operations or address sector challenges. The FTA's digital VAT refund system for tourists was a key submission, showcasing their shift from traditional paper-based methods to an efficient digital process.

In addition to institutional recognition, two FTA employees received individual awards. Saida Kaddoumi Osman, a Tax Policy Consultant, was awarded ‘Outstanding Arab Tax Manager’. This category acknowledges exceptional individuals managing tax affairs within Arab government entities. Sulaiman Abdullah, Director of Administrative Affairs at the FTA, won the ‘Outstanding Arab Procurement and Contracts Manager’ award for his excellence in procurement and contract management.

The ceremony took place at Sharjah Cultural Palace Theatre with Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi presenting the awards. Khalid Ali Al Bustani expressed pride in winning these prestigious awards amidst strong competition from established public finance entities across the Arab region.

The FTA’s innovation strategy aims for global leadership in tax revenue collection while fostering an environment that supports creativity. By continuously developing innovative solutions, the Authority seeks to improve customer services and maintain financial sustainability. The strategy also emphasises voluntary compliance among taxpayers.

Khalid Ali Al Bustani stated, "We are proud to win these prestigious awards, especially given the strong competition from many well-established entities with great expertise in public finance – from across the Arab world." He further noted that these achievements underscore the FTA’s organisational maturity despite being a relatively new institution.

Commitment to Excellence

The Director-General praised his team for their dedication to fostering creativity and innovation within the Authority. This commitment ensures that the FTA remains a leading global tax authority supporting financial sustainability with high governance standards. The Authority’s efforts align with UAE’s goals for digital transformation and smart government services.

The Sharjah Award in Public Finance was launched in 2016 by the Sharjah Finance Department alongside the Arab Administrative Development Organisation of the League of Arab States. It is designed to promote excellence in government financial management across Arab countries by encouraging efficient use of resources and effective financial systems.

This award also aims to develop administrative ideologies and create a collective identity of efficiency among government entities. By recognising outstanding achievements like those of the FTA, it helps consolidate a regional culture of excellence and sustainable development.

With inputs from WAM