Ras Al Khaimah charts industrial future at investment summit

RAKEZ positions the emirate as a growing hub for manufacturing and commerce, showcasing new infrastructure and business support as it attracts investors across key sectors

The third annual Ras Al Khaimah Investment and Business Summit brought together government officials, investors and business leaders to chart the emirate’s economic trajectory. At the heart of the gathering was a clear message: Ras Al Khaimah is preparing itself not merely to receive investment, but to nurture it across manufacturing, tourism, real estate and services.

As a Government Partner, RAKEZ contributed substantially to the dialogue, with Chief Commercial Officer Anas Hijjawi delivering a keynote address on the emirate’s readiness for investment and growth. His remarks centred on two developments that crystallise this readiness. Al Ghail Industrial Zone represents an expansion of industrial capacity and supporting infrastructure, while RAK Central Square will provide modern commercial spaces and amenities designed to serve the practical needs of growing businesses and their workforces. Together, these projects signal a deliberate approach to creating an ecosystem where industrial, commercial and lifestyle requirements converge.

“Investment readiness is about anticipating what businesses need and creating the right environment for them to grow,” Hijjawi noted. “Through developments such as Al Ghail and RAK Central Square, we are strengthening Ras Al Khaimah’s industrial and commercial capabilities, while ensuring investors have access to the infrastructure and support services needed for long-term success.”

The summit also focused on strengthening domestic manufacturing and creating greater value through local supply chains. RAKEZ Chief Strategy Officer Puneet Jain contributed to a panel discussion on building local supply chains and national value creation, highlighting opportunities arising from the emirate’s growing construction and real estate sectors. With approximately 1,000 manufacturing companies operating within RAKEZ, the economic zone is focused on attracting complementary industries and encouraging supplier collaboration. As we reported in our coverage of RAKEZ’s demonstration of Ras Al Khaimah’s food manufacturing excellence, the emirate continues to strengthen its position in specialised production sectors.

These priorities align with the UAE’s wider industrial development agenda, particularly the Make it in the Emirates initiative and the National In-Country Value Programme, both of which seek to strengthen domestic production, supply chains and national economic value creation.

RAKEZ Group CEO Ramy Jallad commented that the summit had become an important platform for connecting people and ideas that drive Ras Al Khaimah’s economic future. “Events like these are essential to translating shared ambitions into tangible investment and business opportunities,” he said.

At its branded stand, RAKEZ experts engaged visitors with practical information on cost-effective business set-up solutions, industrial land, warehouses and commercial facilities. They also highlighted the diverse business community within RAKEZ, which comprises more than 50,000 companies from over 100 countries. As we noted in our earlier story on RAKEZ expanding beyond licensing to offer comprehensive business support, the economic zone now coordinates 45 value-added services for its supported companies, achieving 90 per cent satisfaction rates through support that extends well beyond simple licensing.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

Ras Al Khaimah’s concerted effort to attract investment and strengthen its industrial foundations has broader significance for the UAE’s overall economic diversification strategy. As the emirate positions itself as a comprehensive business destination, it adds depth to the federation’s capability to support enterprises beyond the traditional commercial centres, creating additional capacity for manufacturing and commerce across the region.

The emphasis on local supply chains and in-country value creation reflects the UAE’s commitment to building resilient, nationally rooted economic systems. Through RAKEZ’s role in facilitating partnerships between manufacturers and their suppliers, the emirate contributes to the wider ambition of reducing economic dependencies and building a more integrated national production ecosystem, strengthening the federation’s long-term competitiveness and economic sustainability.

Source: WAM