United Arab Emirates Dirham - AED

Overview

The Dirham (AED) is the currency of the United Arab Emirates. 1 Dirham = 100 fils. Exchange can be done at a bank, but is less costly at an exchange office. The United Arab Emirates Dirham was pegged to the IMF’s drawing rights in 1978. In 1997 the Dirham was pegged to the US Dollar at 1 USD = 3.6725 dirham.

Economy

• The United Arab Emirates is ranked second in the Corporation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (CCASG).
• Natural gas and petroleum exports play an important role in the economy.
• The service sector is also an important source of income.
• Construction forms a huge part of the economy; there is currently an average of $350 billion in construction projects.
• The United Arab Emirates is part of the World Trade Organization.
• Imports are machinery, manufactured goods, and transport equipment.
• In 2009, 85% of exports were natural resources.
• The United Arab Emirates has the fastest-growing economy in the world.

History

• The original currency in the United Arab Emirates was the Bahraini Dinar.
• Before 1966 the United Arab Emirates used the Gulf Rupee.
• The United Arab Emirates dirham started circulating in December 1971. The dirham replaced the Dubai Riyal as well as the Qatar Riyal at par.
• From 1973 to 1982 the United Arab Emirates issued the Dirham.
• In 1976 the United Arab Emirates minted commemorative coins.
• In the late 1980s a fixed rate was established between the Dirham and the USD.
• 200-dirham denominations were produced only in 1989 and are scarce; however, the 200-dirham was re-introduced in May 2008 in a different color from the original.
• In 1997 the Dirham was pegged to the US Dollar.

General Information