The UAE's Tax 10: Innovation for Navigating New Frontiers

The image above was taken during GITEX Global Week in Dubai a few weeks ago. It features Hazem Alaboud, MSc. Psychology and Neuroscience Behavioral Science Consultant -Occupational Coach from the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), demonstrating one of the authority's recent initiatives: Tax 10 Digital Platform.

This groundbreaking digital platform, spearheaded by the FTA's innovation team, has a clear mission—to foster a culture of leadership, innovation, and creativity within its dedicated workforce.

Enabled by 01Gov Platform, the first Arab platform for government innovation, Tax 10 stands at the forefront as an extensive digital observatory, housing an impressive repository of over 3,000 meticulously documented global government innovation practices, spanning 15 diverse domains. These domains encompass a wide spectrum, ranging from taxation and financial innovations to governmental services and the skills that will shape our future.

"FTA has established itself as a leader in the field of government innovation, particularly in the area of taxation, by adopting and implementing a digital innovation platform like Tax 10"

says Mr. Jasim Haddad who is leading the innovation agenda at FTA, who adds:

"Tax 10's all-encompassing strategy to improving the Federal Tax Authority's skills and profile in the field of digital government innovation is demonstrated by its success in making information more accessible, inspiring innovation, and spreading best practices."

To get a feel for the vibes of this innovative enabling environment, here's a short video showcasing one of their innovation labs, made possible through the transformative capabilities of Tax 10:

What can we learn from this story?

As we explore the Tax 10 story, I've handpicked the following three valuable lessons. These lessons transcend the realm of taxation and the context of the UAE; we can think of them as universal principles for innovation in the public sector.?

Amidst numerous insights, I see these three lessons as a source of inspiration and learning, especially for leaders in the public sector—individuals who are dedicated to promoting government innovation. They can spark innovation in governments globally, showing that unconventional paths can yield remarkable success.

Lesson 1: Bold Visions Require Unusual Approaches:

For a relatively young organization like the FTA, envisioning itself as a "world-leading tax authority" demands more than conventional thinking.

This bold vision necessitates an approach that thinks differently from the start. In a context where the entire concept of taxation is new to the UAE, with limited historical precedent, cultural context, or awareness, forging an innovative path becomes imperative.

“To capitalize on the potential of digital platforms for governmental innovation, Tax 10 was envisioned as a pioneering, game-changing program in the MENA region" says Mr. Jasim Haddad, spearheading FTA's innovation agenda.?

He further emphasized that this groundbreaking platform provides a ready digital environment, efficiently gathering and sharing data about government innovation. It accumulates years of content, enriching competence in the field of government innovation, especially in taxation and financial services.

Lesson 2: Embracing Global Insights with Humility:?

In the journey of innovation, boldness in carving a unique path is crucial, but so is the humility to learn from others. The FTA exemplifies this balanced approach with Tax 10 which can be thought of as "a clearinghouse for the best global tax practices" in the words of Mr. Jasim Haddad.

By learning from the innovation approaches of other government entities from around he world, FTA can benefit in several ways such as adopting successful models worldwide, fast-tracking innovation, and avoiding lengthy trial-and-error processes.

Lesson 3: Inclusive Innovation, from Employees to Leadership:?

Tax 10's journey demonstrates the power of inclusive innovation. From employees at all levels to the Director General, Khalid Ali Al Bustani, who actively participated in the launch workshop, FTA instilled a culture where everyone's ideas and contributions matter.?

"Our esteemed employees have been utilizing Tax10 platform to generate forward-thinking ideas. For example, they have started considering "nudging" or the psychology of tax collection after studying similar practices by tax authorities in countries including Poland. - Jasim Haddad

To recognize and incentivize employees who actively engage with Tax 10's platform and leverage its content to enhance internal operations, Mr. Jasim and his innovation team have introduced a practice of acknowledging and rewarding these dedicated individuals.

In the photo below, we say Mr. Jasim (right), and Mr Abdulla Al Bastaki, Executive Director of the Information Technology Sector, acknowledging one of their employees.

In conclusion, the story of Tax 10 is a testament to the power of innovation in the public sector. It illustrates that with visionary leadership, a willingness to learn, and the active involvement of every team member, even the newest of organizations can aspire to lead on the global stage.

My team 01Gov are grateful to?Mr. Jasim Haddad and his team, for granting us the honor of? being part of this success story, and the opportunity to learn from Jasim & his team, first hand, the transforming power of innovation.