The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) announced the issuance of a new Dh500 banknote made of polymer. This is part of the third issuance of the national currency project, with distinctive designs and advanced security features.
“The issuance supports the wise leadership’s vision to accelerate the transition process to a green economy to ensure a future based on sustainable development,” the bank said in a statement on Wednesday.
The new Dh500 banknote highlights the UAE’s sustainable development, including cultural and tourism landmarks and sustainability models. The front side includes an image of the architecture of the Terra Sustainability Pavilion in Expo City Dubai.
The reverse side highlights the Museum of the Future in Dubai, Emirates Towers, and the Burj Khalifa.
In a strategic move towards sustainability, the CBUAE opted for a polymer material, making the new banknote two or more times more durable than traditional banknotes. This material, fully recyclable, significantly reduces its environmental impact.
The aesthetic features of the banknote incorporate a range of harmonious blue shades, mirroring the banknote of the same denomination currently in circulation facilitating easy identification for the public. Fluorescent blue markings on the reverse side mark the UAE nation brand, enhanced by intricate drawings and engravings utilising advanced intaglio printing techniques.
Advance features
Introducing advanced security features, the Dh500 banknote incorporates multi-coloured security chip technology known as KINEGRAM COLORS®, marking the UAE as the first country in the Middle East to utilise the largest foil strip on banknotes. These technologies were previously employed in the new version of the Dh1000 banknote to combat counterfeiting, a first in the EMEA region.
“This issuance of the new Dh500 banknote reflects the wise leadership’s vision for a sustainable future and embodies the distinguished record of achievements and development aspirations of the UAE in various fields,” said HE Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the CBUAE. “We at the CBUAE are pleased to announce this issuance, coinciding with the country’s hosting COP28, which provides an ideal platform to unite the world’s efforts on ensuring effective sustainability action.”
Remaining committed to inclusivity, CBUAE has included prominent symbols in braille to help blind and visually impaired consumers recognise the banknote and determine its value.
The new banknote enters into circulation on Thursday, November 30. All banks and exchange houses are instructed to programme their cash deposit machines and counting devices to ensure seamless acceptance of these new banknotes alongside existing paper and polymer banknotes, whose value is guaranteed by law.
