SWIFT's RMB tracker shows that the RMB is now the most active currency used by the UAE and Qatar for direct payments to China and Hong Kong.
In 2015, the UAE's use of the RMB accounted for 74% of payments by value to China and Hong Kong, an increase of 52% compared to 2014. In Qatar, the RMB was used for 60% of all payments, a huge rise of 247% compared to 2014.
In December 2015, the RMB remained stable in its position as the fifth most active currency by value and accounted for 2.31% of global payments, with an increased market share compared to 2.28% in November 2015. Overall, RMB payments value increased by 15.92% compared to November 2015, whilst, in general, all payments currencies increased by 14.43%.
Source: SWIFT 28 January 2016