UAE leaders attend launch of new Dh50 banknote


Sarah Forster
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A new Dh50 banknote has been issued by the UAE Central Bank to celebrate the country's 50th National Day.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, attended the unveiling of the third issue of the note on Tuesday.

The banknote has a picture of the Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed, and the other founding Rulers, according to state news agency Wam. It also features a number of national and historical monuments.

The redesign is in honour of Sheikh Zayed, the founding Rulers and their dedication to uniting the country.

  • From left, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
    From left, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
  • The design of the new currency from the UAE Central Bank. Wam
    The design of the new currency from the UAE Central Bank. Wam
  • Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, left, and Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah, centre, witness the launch of the UAE's new currency. Seen with Khaled Mohammed Balama, Governor of the Central Bank of the UAE. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
    Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, left, and Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah, centre, witness the launch of the UAE's new currency. Seen with Khaled Mohammed Balama, Governor of the Central Bank of the UAE. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
  • Pictured, from left, Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, along with Mr Balama. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
    Pictured, from left, Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, along with Mr Balama. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
  • From left, Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
    From left, Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
  • Pictured, from left, Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, with Mr Balama. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
    Pictured, from left, Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, with Mr Balama. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
  • The new Dh50 banknote is adorned with an image of the UAE's Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed. Photo: Dubai Media Office
    The new Dh50 banknote is adorned with an image of the UAE's Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed. Photo: Dubai Media Office

"We see, in this issuance, the new phase that the UAE will enter and a renewed pledge to continue its growth path," said Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and chairman of the board of directors of the UAE Central Bank, according to the Wam report.

"The occasion also allowed us to express our appreciation and gratitude to our founding fathers by issuing a new [Dh50] banknote to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the UAE."

The front of the new note has a portrait of the late Sheikh Zayed on the right and the commemorative picture of the founding Rulers after signing the Union document.

It also has a picture of Wahat Al Karama – the memorial to the heroes of the Emirates – on the left side.

The reverse has a picture of Sheikh Zayed signing the Union agreement, as well as a picture of Etihad Museum, which is where the Union was established and the UAE flag raised for the first time.

The banknote is made of polymer, which allows for enhanced security features such as a see-through window and holograms.

Polymer banknotes are more durable and sustainable than traditional banknotes, which are made of cotton paper. They can also be recycled.

The design has different shades of violet and fluorescent blue colours at the note's centre, along with drawings and inscriptions.

In this issue, the Central Bank took into consideration all banknote users by adding symbols in Braille to help blind and visually-impaired people identify the note.

The new note will be available at Central Bank branches and ATMs soon. The current Dh50 note will continue to be in circulation and accepted as currency.

Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah; Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain; Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah; Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, also attended the unveiling ceremony.

UAE currency: The old Dh50 note was a tribute to the desert

Tips to avoid getting scammed

1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday

2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment

3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone

4) Try not to close the sale at night

5) Don't be rushed into a sale 

6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour

Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

Rating: 1/5

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if you go

The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.

The trip 

Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.

Name: Peter Dicce

Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics

Favourite sport: soccer

Favourite team: Bayern Munich

Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer

Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates 

 

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 

Warlight,
Michael Ondaatje, Knopf 

Tuesday's fixtures
Group A
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
Iran v Uzbekistan, 8pm
N Korea v UAE, 10.15pm
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20WallyGPT%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2014%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESaeid%20and%20Sami%20Hejazi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20raised%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%247.1%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2020%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%20round%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

Price, base: Dh198,300
Engine: 2.0L in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 280hp @ 5,250rpm
Torque: 400Nm @ 2,250rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7L / 100km

The specs: 2017 Lotus Evora Sport 410

Price, base / as tested Dh395,000 / Dh420,000

Engine 3.5L V6

Transmission Six-speed manual

Power 410hp @ 7,000rpm

Torque 420Nm @ 3,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined 9.7L / 100km

The%20specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E261hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E400Nm%20at%201%2C750-4%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.5L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C999%20(VX%20Luxury)%3B%20from%20Dh149%2C999%20(VX%20Black%20Gold)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs

Engine: 2.9-litre, V6 twin-turbo

Transmission: seven-speed PDK dual clutch automatic

Power: 375bhp

Torque: 520Nm

Price: Dh332,800

On sale: now

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi

“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”

Race results:

1. Thani Al Qemzi (UAE) Team Abu Dhabi: 46.44 min

2. Peter Morin (FRA) CTIC F1 Shenzhen China Team: 0.91sec

3. Sami Selio (FIN) Mad-Croc Baba Racing Team: 31.43sec

Updated: December 23, 2021, 11:27 AM