We first published this piece in 2024. A lot has moved since then, and for companies in the GCC and India most of the change has come from regulators, not technology. Here’s what we’re seeing on projects now.
E-invoicing everywhere
Saudi Arabia’s ZATCA e-invoicing keeps reaching smaller companies wave by wave. India’s GST e-invoicing now covers businesses with turnover above ₹5 crore. The UAE has announced its own e-invoicing scheme, rolling out in phases. If your system can’t issue compliant e-invoices, it’s now a business risk, not a nice-to-have.
Corporate tax made clean books essential
UAE corporate tax at 9% changed how companies think about their accounts. Spreadsheet bookkeeping that was tolerable for VAT doesn’t hold up when profit has to be calculated and defended.
Payroll rules keep changing
- UAE: the 2021 labour law changed gratuity and leave, and ILOE unemployment insurance added a new deduction.
- Oman: the 2023 labour law changed end-of-service rules.
- Saudi Arabia: GOSI and Mudad remain the core of payroll compliance.
- Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain: WPS and social insurance for nationals are standard expectations.
- India: PF, ESI, professional tax and TDS rules continue to be updated.
This is one reason we built our own payroll product. Keeping up with seven countries’ rules is a job in itself.
Cloud is now the default
Most new ERP projects in the region now start in the cloud. The on-premises conversations now are mostly about data residency in Saudi Arabia or company policy, not cost.
AI, used carefully
The AI features that stick are the practical ones: reading invoices, checking payroll, matching bank lines. The flashier ones mostly get switched off after the demo.
Questions we’re often asked
When does UAE e-invoicing start?
The UAE is rolling e-invoicing out in phases. Check the Ministry of Finance’s current timeline for your company’s size.
Which companies need GST e-invoicing in India?
Businesses with turnover above ₹5 crore. The threshold has dropped over time, so smaller companies may be included later.
Is ZATCA Phase 2 mandatory for all Saudi companies?
It’s being applied in waves by revenue. ZATCA notifies companies before their wave starts.
We implement Odoo, Zoho and Business Central across the GCC and India, and build ZEO Cloud HR & Payroll to keep up with local rules. get in touch if you want to know how these changes affect your business.