UAE businessman buys 'Abu Dhabi 2' number plate for $2.7 million

60 number plates auctioned at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, raising $15 million

A UAE businessman,  has won the bid to own the exclusive 'Abu Dhabi 2' number plate for a whopping AED10 million ($2.7 million).

"I am very excited and proud to get number 2," Ahmed Al Marzuoqi, 23, told reporters after an auction of distinguished number plates on Saturday evening at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, Khaleej Times reported.

He said he bought the number plate because of its significance to the nation.

"Number 2 is a historical and very important number. It's the number that signifies the UAE union which is on December 2," said Al Marzuoqi.



"I'm proud of my country and I want that money to go to charity. This is a year of giving and the police will use the money from the sale of number plates to support the poor and needy people."

The event, held in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Police and Emirates Auction, saw a total of 60 number plates go under the hammer, raising AED55 million ($15 million), Arabian News reported.

The second highest bid was made for plate number 11, which raked in AED6.4 million, followed by plate number 10, which was sold for AED5.4 million. Plate number 22 was sold for AED4.5 million, 17 for AED3.3 million, and 60 for AED2.95 million.

The event was held at the luxurious Emirates Palace hotel and attended by 800 people, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Abu Dhabi police.

Twelve-year-old Khalifa Mohammed Al Mazroui, a Grade-5 student at the Zayed Academy, was the youngest person to own a special number plate at the event.

His father, Mohammed Al Mazroui who fancies special number plates, bought him the 1111 number plate.

"I am so happy to own a number plate. I asked my father to buy for me this number plate when we reached this place," said Khalifa.

He said he would put the number plate on his Mercedes car which his father has bought him. The family driver takes him to school in the car.