What makes a number plate worth millions?
In the Emirates, distinction is in the detail and so the traditional starched kandora is worn with a designer watch and the ubiquitous white Toyota Lexus goes from ordinary to admirable with the right number plate.
Plates keep their value over the years, with investors claiming it is not just about prestige. Many believe it deters aggressive driving, making it a (pricey) investment in road safety.
This has given rise to a trade where plates can fetch more than 30 million dirhams.
The rule of thumb is the lower the number, the higher the status. But picking a good number plate isn’t quite that simple.
Sequenced, repetitive or mirror numbers often trump lower digits. Emirate and series number can also affect value.
In Abu Dhabi, series lower series numbers are preferred unless a number has a special significance. For example, a seven could represent the seven emirates, thereby making it preferable to a four.
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Consider identity when choosing the emirate of your plate. Abu Dhabi plates are associated with the prestige of the capital and can symbolise national unity. Dubai plates can be associated with entrepreneurship, business and fun.
Don’t have a million? Look for other emirates. The S-series, Ras Al Khaimah 60760 starts at Dh4,500.
On a shoestring budget? The bid for X-series, Umm Al Quwain 3210 starts at Dh1,800.
Of course, those are just starting bids. A plate with a minimum bid of Dh120,000 in the auction catalogue can open with a bid of Dh1million.
If you've decided how much you're willing to bid, download the Emirates Auction app, which will tell you what plates are about to go on the block.
Once you’ve got your plate, you are ready to go rounding.
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How to tell if your child is being bullied at school
Sudden change in behaviour or displays higher levels of stress or anxiety
Shows signs of depression or isolation
Ability to sleep well diminishes
Academic performance begins to deteriorate
Changes in eating habits
Struggles to concentrate
Refuses to go to school
Behaviour changes and is aggressive towards siblings
Begins to use language they do not normally use
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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50-over match
UAE v Lancashire, starts at 10am
Champion County match
MCC v Surrey, four-day match, starting on Sunday, March 24, play starts at 10am
Both matches are at ICC Academy, Dubai Sports City. Admission is free.
WHAT ARE NFTs?
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are tokens that represent ownership of unique items. They allow the tokenisation of things such as art, collectibles and even real estate.
An NFT can have only one official owner at one time. And since they're minted and secured on the Ethereum blockchain, no one can modify the record of ownership, not even copy-paste it into a new one.
This means NFTs are not interchangeable and cannot be exchanged with other items. In contrast, fungible items, such as fiat currencies, can be exchanged because their value defines them rather than their unique properties.
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- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
