UAE 500 Dirham Polymer Banknote: Setting High Standards in EMEA Region

by News Editor

February 24, 2025

The UAE Central Bank’s 500 Dirham banknote has been celebrated as the ‘Best New Banknote Issue for 2025’ in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region. This honor was announced at the prestigious High Security Printing EMEA conference in Basel, Switzerland.

This cutting-edge banknote, part of the UAE’s innovative third polymer series, has been praised for its advanced security features and a design emphasizing sustainability. Building on the technological advancements of the Dh1,000 note issued in 2023, its stunning three-dimensional design includes the largest surface-applied foil stripe in the Middle East.

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Manufactured by Oumolat Security Printing, a subsidiary of the UAE Central Bank, the new note entered circulation on November 30, 2023. It highlights landmarks such as the Terra Sustainability Pavilion in Expo City Dubai and the Museum of the Future, reflecting the nation’s architectural prowess and dedication to green initiatives. Notably, it incorporates Braille symbols, showcasing a commitment to inclusivity.

The shift to polymer not only extends durability but also reduces environmental impact, as these materials are fully recyclable, aligning with the UAE’s vision for a sustainable economy. Similar initiatives can be seen with Cyprus’s own efforts in promoting renewable energy, like those detailed in our article on Cyprus’s Renewable Energy Targets for 2030.

Saif Humaid Al Dhaheri, Assistant Governor of the Central Bank of the UAE, noted, “We proudly lead the region in adopting banknotes with advanced security and sustainable materials. Our dedication to accessibility ensures that everyone, including the visually impaired, can easily identify our banknotes.”

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Cyprus Posts €573.3M Fiscal Surplus In Q1 2026

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

May 4, 2026

Robust Fiscal Health Marks Strong Start To 2026

The Cyprus government has reported a fiscal surplus of €573.3 million in the first quarter of 2026, according to preliminary figures from the Cyprus Statistical Service. This healthy surplus, which accounts for 1.5% of the nation’s GDP, reflects a slight decrease from the €600.60 million surplus (1.6% of GDP) recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.

Revenue Growth: A Detailed Break Down

Total revenue surged by €194.00 million, or 5.4%, reaching €3.81 billion compared with €3.61 billion during the same quarter last year. Key components of this growth include:

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Income and wealth taxes increased by €107.80 million (10.9%), amounting to €1.09 billion.
Social contributions rose by €86.00 million (7.3%) to €1.26 billion.
Taxes on production and imports grew by €31.50 million (2.9%), totaling €1.12 billion.
Net VAT revenue climbed by €34.60 million (4.8%), reaching €758.80 million.
Capital transfers, though modest, increased by €0.60 million (13.6%) to €5.00 million.

Expenditure Shifts And Sectoral Variances

Despite robust revenue, the governmental expenditure also increased notably by €221.30 million (7.3%) to €3.23 billion. Noteworthy changes include:

Intermediate consumption grew by €25.60 million (9.2%), reaching €303.70 million.
Compensation of employees, including social contributions and civil service pensions, rose by €23.00 million (2.4%) to €974.80 million.
Social benefits experienced an increase of €82.30 million (6.4%), climbing to €1.36 billion.
Interest payments surged by €29.90 million (41.1%), totaling €102.70 million.
Current transfers saw a significant uptick of €58.80 million (31.6%), reaching €245.00 million.
Other fiscal components, such as the capital account and gross capital formation, also recorded modest improvements.
However, some areas experienced a decline with property income falling by €3.30 million (17.5%) and revenue from the sale of goods and services dropping by €19.00 million (7.2%).
Subsidies were reduced by €3.90 million (19.5%), totaling €16.10 million compared to the previous period.

Strategic Implications For The Cypriot Economy

Overall, the data indicate concurrent growth in both revenue and expenditure during the quarter. Higher tax income and social contributions supported revenue performance, while increased spending on social benefits, transfers, and interest payments contributed to the rise in expenditure.

Outlook

As the fiscal year progresses, the balance between revenue growth and expenditure levels will remain central to maintaining a surplus. Future outcomes will depend on how these trends evolve across both sides of the budget.

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