UAE Launches New Dirham Symbol, Following Saudi Arabia’s Example
Abu Dhabi – March 29, 2025: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially launched a new symbol for its national currency, the dirham (AED), marking a fresh step in its efforts to strengthen its financial identity. The move has caught global attention, mainly because the design and timing seem to follow a similar announcement by neighboring Saudi Arabia, which introduced its own riyal symbol earlier this year.
The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) revealed the new symbol on Tuesday, saying it will help enhance the UAE’s global financial presence and promote the dirham internationally.
The new dirham symbol is an elegant combination of the Arabic letter “د” (Dāl) and the Latin letter “D,” with two horizontal lines crossing the stem—much like the widely recognized dollar ($) and euro (€) symbols. The bank says the design reflects both the country’s Arabic heritage and its modern, global economic role.
Why Introduce a Dirham Symbol?
According to the CBUAE, the new symbol will make the dirham more recognizable in financial markets, especially in digital platforms, stock markets, and global banking systems. Currently, the UAE dirham is represented by the abbreviation “AED,” but it lacks a distinct visual symbol like the US dollar, British pound, or euro.
Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the Central Bank of the UAE, said, “The introduction of the dirham symbol is an important step toward strengthening the UAE’s monetary identity and supporting the national economy in a rapidly digitalizing world.”
He added that the new symbol will soon be adopted across banking systems, exchange houses, financial reports, payment applications, and digital platforms. It will also be integrated into Unicode to allow easy use in digital communication, including websites, smartphones, and computer keyboards.
Similar Move by Saudi Arabia
The UAE’s launch has sparked online discussions because of its timing. Saudi Arabia, the region’s largest economy, launched its first-ever official symbol for the Saudi riyal (ر.س) in February 2024. That announcement was seen as part of Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to position the riyal as a globally recognized currency.
Observers and social media users quickly pointed out the similarities between the UAE’s move and Saudi Arabia’s earlier decision, with some critics suggesting that the UAE is simply following in Saudi Arabia’s footsteps.
However, UAE officials have dismissed the comparison, saying the project had been in the works for years and is part of the country’s long-term financial strategy.
What Will Change?
For ordinary people in the UAE, the introduction of the symbol will not affect daily transactions. The currency’s value, structure, and usage will remain the same. The dirham will continue to be pegged to the US dollar at a stable rate of 3.6725 AED per dollar.
However, over time, UAE citizens, residents, and businesses can expect to see the new symbol appear on:
- Banknotes and coins
- Official government documents
- Mobile banking apps
- Payment terminals
- Financial news platforms
- Digital invoices and receipts
The Central Bank will work closely with public and private sector institutions to gradually adopt the new symbol without disrupting existing financial systems.
Experts Weigh In
Financial experts say the launch of a currency symbol is more than just a design change. It signals a country’s economic maturity and global ambitions.
“Having a clear and modern currency symbol helps to boost investor confidence and national branding,” said Mona Al Suwaidi, an Emirati financial analyst. “It may seem like a small change, but it’s an important part of strengthening the dirham’s visibility internationally.”
Regional economic observers believe that the UAE and Saudi Arabia are both trying to raise the profile of their currencies as part of their broader economic diversification strategies. Both nations are aiming to reduce their dependence on oil and become major players in global finance, tourism, and digital economies.
What’s Next?
The Central Bank of the UAE has announced a public awareness campaign to introduce the symbol and encourage its use. Educational material, social media campaigns, and workshops will be organized to explain the importance of the symbol and how to use it.
A timeline for full implementation is expected to be shared in the coming months.
For now, the new symbol represents another step in the UAE’s efforts to modernize its economy and strengthen its position as a leading financial hub in the Middle East.
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