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UAE Moments
4 days ago
- Business
- UAE Moments
New UAE Dirham Symbol Is Here—But Are You Using It Right?
The UAE's newly launched dirham symbol isn't just a currency marker—it's a nod to national identity, heritage, and the country's bold future. First introduced in March, the symbol reflects both tradition and progress, designed with exact structure and cultural references in mind. But beyond its sleek design, the real task lies in using it properly. Local authorities have laid out strict rules to guide how and where the symbol should appear across physical and digital platforms. Read More: UAE Central Bank Introduces New Symbol for Dirham Where You Should Use the Dirham Symbol The symbol is expected to appear in places where currency is typically displayed, including: Printed and digital receipts , invoices , and cheques Price tags in stores and online ATMs , POS systems , and financial apps Accounting software and user interface (UI) fields For cheque books, the symbol should come before the number in the 'amount in figures' field, while the word 'Dirhams' should still be spelled out in the 'amount in words' section. On digital platforms like mobile apps or websites, the symbol should appear cleanly formatted, either centered (for single-language use) or in the top-right corner (for bilingual layouts), always with at least 2mm of clear space around it. Where You Shouldn't Use It The dirham symbol may be sleek, but it's not meant for branding. Authorities say it should not appear as a logo or design element, in splash screens, headers, or in place of the full word 'Dirhams' in formal writing. Visual Rules: Dos and Don'ts Dos: Keep the symbol's original shape and direction Place it to the left of numbers Use consistent font size, weight, and contrast Maintain clear space and proportional balance Use either the symbol or 'AED'—not both Don'ts: Don't stretch, distort, or decorate the symbol Don't place it randomly or beside 'AED' Don't reduce visibility with poor contrast or sizing Don't use it as decoration or in logos It's Not Just a Symbol—It's a Statement More than just a mark of currency, the new dirham symbol brings together culture, clarity, and consistency. Whether you're a designer, cashier, or developer, following the dos and don'ts ensures the symbol serves its purpose: clean, recognisable, and unmistakably Emirati.
Khaleej Times
11-06-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Sharjah's realty delivers stellar performance in May
Sharjah's real estate market delivered a stellar performance in May 2025 with a trading value of Dh5.5 billion across 8,415 transactions. This activity, spanning 13.2 million square feet of traded area, underscores the emirate's growing appeal to investors and its strategic evolution into a diversified, sustainable real estate hub, according to data from Sharjah's Real Estate Registration Department. Real estate consultants observed that Sharjah's real estate market exemplifies a maturing sector that balances growth with sustainability. 'The emirate's strategic vision, robust infrastructure, and investor-friendly policies have created a fertile ground for real estate investment,' an analyst said. They noted that against the backdrop of the UAE's dynamic property sector, Sharjah's performance reflects both local resilience and alignment with broader national trends, underscoring its reputation as a prime investment destination. The UAE's real estate market has been on a steady growth trajectory, with the nation's property sector projected to contribute significantly to the non-oil GDP, which reached 73 per cent of the total economy in 2024, as reported by the UAE Central Bank. In particular, Dubai's high-octane luxury market recorded transactions worth Dh97.5 billion in Q1 2025 per the Dubai Land Department. Balancing affordability with ambitious urban development, Sharjah offers a blend of residential, commercial, and industrial opportunities that cater to a diverse investor base. This diversity, coupled with investor-friendly policies, has fueled Sharjah's real estate momentum. The emirate's market is undergoing a transformative shift, moving beyond traditional growth to embrace sustainability and innovation. Government initiatives, including streamlined regulations and investor protections, have bolstered confidence among local and international stakeholders. Flexible legislation has kept pace with market demands, ensuring transparency and legal integrity. Meanwhile, Sharjah's urban expansion, underpinned by modern infrastructure and large-scale projects, has opened new avenues for investment. Areas like Al-Metraq, Muwailih Commercial, and Tilal have emerged as hotspots, reflecting the emirate's ability to attract developers and buyers May 2025, Sharjah's real estate sector recorded 8,415 transactions, with sales transactions totaling 1,574, or 18.7 per cent of the total, signaling strong demand for properties. Mortgage activity further highlighted market confidence, with 381 transactions valued at over Dh1.1 billion, representing 4.5 per cent of all deals. This financing surge reflects trust from both investors and financial institutions in Sharjah's long-term potential. Initial sales contracts numbered 1,486, comprising 17.7 per cent of transactions, while ownership certificates accounted for 43 per cent with 3,619 transactions. Additionally, 1,355 ownership deeds were issued, making up 16.1 per cent of the total, reinforcing Sharjah's reputation for a well-regulated property transactions spanned 134 areas across Sharjah, covering residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural properties. Of these, 877 transactions involved land, 395 were for units in towers, and 302 were for built-in land deals. Sharjah City dominated with 1,426 sales transactions, led by Al-Metraq, which recorded 354 deals, followed by Muwailih Commercial with 258 and Tilal with 135. In terms of trading value, Muwailih Commercial topped the list at Dh352.2 million, followed by Tilal at Dh263.2 million, Al-Sajaa Industrial at Dh140.9 million, and Al-Metraq at Dh114.9 Sharjah City, the Central Region logged 97 sales transactions, with Industrial 1 leading at 17 deals and Al-Blida recording the highest trading value at Dh13.8 million. In Khor Fakkan, 26 transactions were recorded, with Al-Harai Industrial contributing five deals and Hay Hayawa 4 achieving a trading value of Dh3.6 million. Kalba City saw 24 transactions, with Al-Tarif 5 leading at seven deals and Al Soor 1 posting a trading value of Dh3.5 million. This widespread activity underscores Sharjah's ability to cater to varied investor preferences across its regions. A 2025 report by Property Monitor highlights that Sharjah's affordability, compared to Dubai's average property price of Dh2.1 million, makes it a magnet for middle-income buyers and investors seeking value-driven opportunities. Additionally, Sharjah's focus on cultural and educational hubs, such as University City, enhances its appeal as a holistic lifestyle destination.
Khaleej Times
27-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Minimum bank balance requirement of Dh5,000 suspended
The Central Bank of the UAE on Tuesday postponed its decision for a minimum balance requirement of Dh5,000 for retail customers of local banks. The regulator sent out a notice to all licensed financial institutions (LFIs) in the country, notifying them about postponing an increase in minimum balance amount from Dh3,000 to Dh5,000, industry sources told Khaleej Times. Last week, the Central Bank sent out a notice to local financial institutions about increasing the minimum balance from Dh3,000 to Dh5,000 from June 1, 2025. If customers, under the previously announced policy, failed to maintain the minimum balance of Dh5,000, they would be subject to a Dh25 fee per month, unless they have a credit card or personal financing with the lender. Central Bank asked local banks to suspend the increase in the minimum balance and not implement it until further notice as it aims to study the impact of this decision on the labour market. This new decision to postpone a minimum balance of Dh5,000 will greatly benefit lower middle-income employees who sometimes find it difficult to maintain the minimum balance amount. The UAE Central Bank's latest showed that banks' deposits increased by 1.2 per cent from Dh2.840 trillion at the end of January 2025 to Dh2.874 trillion at the end of February 2025. The increase in bank deposits was due to the growth in resident deposits by 0.8 per cent, settling at Dh2.625 trillion and in non-resident deposits by 5.1 per cent, reaching Dh249.1 billion. Within the resident deposits; government-related entities deposits increased by 3.8 per cent, private sector deposits increased by 1.4 per cent and non-banking financial institutions deposits increased by 5.6 per cent.
