Salik Expands Beyond Dubai Through Strategic Partnership with Parkonic

Dubai’s toll gate operator, Salik, has announced its first expansion outside the emirate, entering a five-year partnership with private parking operator Parkonic. This collaboration will integrate Salik’s eWallet system as a seamless payment method across Parkonic’s network of over 135,000 parking spaces in 107 locations across the UAE.

The agreement, signed on Thursday, marks a significant milestone for Salik, traditionally associated with Dubai’s tolling system. Beginning in the first quarter of 2025, Salik will serve as the preferred payment channel for Parkonic users, with the latter paying Salik a percentage of parking revenue generated through the eWallet.

Expanding Smart Solutions

“This strategic partnership will facilitate advanced parking payment solutions across the UAE and represents Salik’s first venture beyond Dubai,” said Ibrahim Sultan Al Haddad, CEO of Salik.

The move aims to leverage Salik’s technological platform to enhance ancillary revenue streams. “This partnership builds on the success of our parking payment solutions, underscoring Salik’s commitment to innovation and expanding beyond our core tolling business,” Al Haddad added.

Parkonic’s locations include popular destinations such as Global Village, The Beach at JBR, and Central Park in Dubai; Arc Towers and Marsa Al Bateen in Abu Dhabi; Khorfakkan Beach in Sharjah; and Umbrella Beach in Fujairah.

Seamless Parking Experience

Parkonic, an AI-powered parking management system, offers a user-friendly approach to parking payments. CEO Imad Alameddine explained that Parkonic users simply need to enter and exit parking areas, with fees automatically deducted from their Salik accounts.

“Parkonic eliminates the need for additional apps. Parking transactions are recorded seamlessly through automatic number-plate recognition (ANPR) cameras,” said Alameddine.

Motorists must register their vehicles via the Parkonic app to use the system. Non-registered users can still access parking but must settle payments before exiting. The app also provides users with detailed summaries of their weekly or monthly parking expenses.

Supporting UAE’s Smart City Vision

Both Salik and Parkonic view this partnership as a step toward supporting the UAE’s broader ambition of becoming a global leader in smart city initiatives.

“This collaboration is not just about mobility solutions but about enhancing urban living and fostering smarter, more connected communities,” Alameddine stated.

The integration of Salik’s payment system with Parkonic’s AI-powered technology sets a new benchmark for convenience and efficiency in the region, aligning with the UAE’s goals of innovation and sustainability.

With this initiative, Salik strengthens its position as a leader in smart mobility, offering enhanced convenience to motorists while expanding its footprint across the country.