A LOCATION OF CHOICE
With a favourable geographical location at the crossroad of trade between the East and West, the excellent infrastructure, strong government support towards the private sector, and not to mention its unmatched natural beauty, it is no surprise that the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah has emerged as a destination of choice for investors and leisure travellers alike. Ideally positioned to service and access markets like the Middle East, Africa, the Indian Subcontinent and the CIS countries, Ras Al Khaimah has become a growth-driven emirate with an increased focus on manufacturing, services, real estate, construction and tourism.
RAK ECONOMY
Ras Al Khaimah, the fourth-largest emirate in the UAE, today boasts of a rapidly growing economy, thanks to the ambitious process of economic diversification adopted by the government that primarily focuses industry, trade & commerce, tourism and real estate. While Ras Al Khaimah’s business-friendly policies have ensured a brisk increase in foreign direct investments, it has also helped the emirate steadily increase its global appeal as a superior choice destination for business and leisure.
The natural topography of Ras Al Khaimah which consists of 65 kilometers of sun-kissed sandy beaches, the Al Hajar Mountain range, the vast desert plains in the central region and the green belt in the southern region, have added to the success of Ras Al Khaimah as a destination of choice.
Ras Al Khaimah has been witnessing impressive economic growth in the past few years under the visionary leadership of H.H. Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qassimi, the Council Member and Ruler of Ras al-Khaimah.
In recent years, Ras Al Khaimah has witnessed an increase in GDP figures with growth in manufacturing, services, and tourism sectors, along with the increase in foreign trade and per capita income, rise in the standard of living, growth in education, development in world class housing and health-care facilities among other positive developments that point towards the all round socio–economic prosperity of Ras Al Khaimah. Ras Al Khaimah was recently rated the best investment destination by the FDI Magazine, Financial Times, London.
The RAK Government encourages development through private sector and believes that the role of the Government is primarily to create an optimum environment for enterprises, providing enabling infrastructures, utilities and services and making sure that the Government is an effective partner- supporting and empowering the private sector.
Ras Al Khaimah has negligible deposits of hydrocarbons unlike some of the other emirates or countries in the GCC. As a result has sought to diversify its economy over the course of the last decades by opening up to foreign investors and industries. The aim was to make the best use of the emirate’s strategic positioning by improving its infrastructure and creating the right incentives and liberal business environment to attract major industrial enterprises from around the world.
MANUFACTURING
Although the drive to attract foreign companies has been a recent development, RAK has long been one of the industrial centres of the UAE. The industrial sector has been dominated by the three main industries of Cement, Ceramics and Pharmaceuticals. The sector has diversified in the recent years especially since the creation of free zones as well as partnerships between government and foreign investors.
RAK INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES- Highlights
One of the largest producers of cement in the Gulf region. Al Hajar range of mountains contain high quality limestone deposits. One of the largest producers of medicines in the UAE (Julphar) One of the largest producers of ceramic tiles and sanitary ware in the world (RAK Ceramics) Region’s leading brand of mineral water (Masafi) Increased industrial activities with the creation of free zones and partnerships between government and foreign investors Thousands of small and medium scale industries in diversified sectors of manufacturing Emphasis on high-tech industries
Ras Al Khaimah has a natural advantage when it comes to the production of cement as the Al Hajar mountain range holds vast supplies of high quality limestone, which is a key raw material for cement manufacturing. The emirate is also rich in other raw materials such as clay, quartz and other minerals.
The pharmaceutical industry in RAK is about 30 years old and has been one of the key focus areas of government plans since several years. The industry in RAK is dominated by the Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries, known as Julphar. The company has grown into a pharmaceuticals giant by Middle East standards and now exports to over 80 countries. Julphar is the biggest pharmaceuticals manufacturer in the UAE.
What RAK lacks in oil is somewhat compensated for by its natural mineral water resources. RAK is the origin of Masafi mineral water brand, the region's leading mineral water brand, with its source lying in several rich underground springs in the mountainous city of Masafi. Masafi water, has developed into an international brand which exports bottled water and fruit juices to more than 20 countries.
RAK Ceramics is the single largest, state-of-the-art, ceramic tile manufacturer in the world with its 12 plants spread across the UAE, India, Bangladesh, Sudan, Iran and China, producing over one hundred million square meter of tiles and 3 million pieces of sanitary-ware annually, exporting to 135 countries. The UAE operation is the largest single location ceramic manufacturing facility in the world with more than 6,000 active models in the ceramic and porcelain tiles segment, and an exclusive range of more than 600 active models of sanitary ware to offer with a wide choice in designer bathroom sets, wash basins, bathtubs and related items. RAK Ceramics has diversified horizontally by forming several joint ventures including Kludi RAK LLC, RAK Porcelain LLC, Laticrete RAK LLC and many more in Ras Al Khaimah.
INFRASTRUCTURE
The Government of Ras Al Khaimah’s constant endeavor to enhance infrastructure facilities across the emirate has been a major factor in attracting major foreign investments to Ras Al Khaimah. With a well-planned road network, an international airport, fully equipped seaports, and advanced communications network, Ras Al Khaimah is well-positioned for rapid socio-economic growth.
RAK INFRASTRUCTURE- Highlights
RAK is well connected to most of the neighboring countries by air, sea and roads The emirate has an excellent road network making overland trans-shipment throughout the Middle East a realistic possibility Excellent telecom system RAK airport is one of the six international airports in the country Saqr port in RAK is one of the largest bulk handling ports in the region with container handling facilities
LIFESTYLE
Residents of Ras Al Khaimah enjoy a standard of living that is comparable to any of the other emirates thanks to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qassimi, the Council Member and Ruler of Ras al-Khaimah, which is to transform the emirate into an ideal living and working environment.
Ras Al Khaimah is home to a diverse, multicultural blend of dynamic people who are making the most of the unique lifestyle that the emirate has to offer, including a variety of restaurants, leisure activities and sports. An aspect that stands out about Ras Al Khaimah is its tranquility and natural beauty, not to mention the fact that the crime rate in the emirate is negligible.
Healthcare and education facilities available in Ras Al Khaimah are of international standards, while the scope and facilities for leisure activities in Ras Al Khaimah are unparalled. Be it water skiing, scuba diving, desert safari, dune bashing, golf courses, shopping malls, water theme parks etc., Ras Al Khaimah has them all. For those interested in seeing historical sites, there are several museums, forts and palaces that depict the emirate’s rich culture and heritage.
RAK offers complete economic and personal freedom and is one of the safest places to do business. The conversion costs of manufacturing are one of the lowest globally, which makes it highly competitive for manufacturing and commercial activities.