UAE Central Bank launches two new banknotes

The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has launched two new polymer banknotes, in five and ten dirham denominations.

The new banknotes, which have been enhanced by technical characteristics and security features, are the third issue of the national currency.

The Central Bank of the UAE (#CBUAE) has launched two new #banknotes, in five and ten dirham denominations, made of polymer and enhanced by advanced technical characteristics and security features. #UAE_BARQ_EN pic.twitter.com/jqCcLfhje7

— UAE BARQ (@UAE_BARQ_EN) April 21, 2022

These issues follow the 50-dirham polymer note launched late last year.

Read: UAE launches new Dhs50 banknote to commemorate country’s golden jubilee

The new Dhs5 and Dhs10 banknotes highlight the CBUAE’s adoption of sustainable practices and to promote sustainable growth by using environmentally-friendly and recyclable polymer material, official news agency WAM reported. Symbols in Braille to help blind and visually impaired consumers to easily identify the value were also added in the banknotes.

The banknotes are more durable and sustainable than traditional cotton paper ones, holding two or more times longer in circulation. Their features include a transparent window featuring a portrait of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the logo of the UAE nation brand with fluorescent drawings and inscriptions created using advanced intaglio printing techniques.

For the new five dirham banknote, the CBUAE has preserved the colour of the existing Dhs5 note currently in circulation for easy identification. Pictures of UAE national and cultural symbols are included in the design. The image of the Ajman Fort appears in its front centre face while the image of Dhayah Fort appears in the reverse centre of the banknote.

The new ten dirham banknote has also retained its green colour. Its front central face features an image of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, while its centre reverse side contains an image of the Khorfakkan amphitheatre.

The ten and five dirham banknotes will enter circulation on Thursday, April 21 and Tuesday, April 26 respectively. Current banknotes of both denominations will remain in circulation along with the new polymer ones, as banknotes whose value are guaranteed by the UAE law.

Khalid Mohammed Balama, governor of the CBUAE, said, “The new banknote issuance of five and ten dirhams, and previously the fifty dirham note, is a source of great pride and honour. The new banknotes feature symbols and images that reflect the UAE’s history and heritage, as well as embody the new start to keep pace with the development and modernisation aspiration.”