RIYADH: The new 50 dirham polymer banknote is official currency and to be used alongside the paper banknote of the same value, the Central Bank of the UAE said. Fifty dirhams is equal to about $13.61. The new banknote has been distributed to banks and exchange houses, WAM reported citing the CBUAE statement. The new note, issued on Dec. 7, 2021 to commemorate the country"s golden jubilee, depicts the UAE’s founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan signing the union document, and on the opposite side features an image of the seven founding leaders of the emirates. Some central banks have found polymers to be longer-lasting and more environmentally-friendly than paper banknotes. Polymer banknotes can contain many more security features than paper banknotes, the statement said.