The Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority (Rakia), has embarked on an expansion plan to increase the warehouse units in its industrial parks and meet the growing demand for space.

“The development of more warehouses was put in motion to meet rising demand from investors after all units were quickly rented out,” said a spokesman for the investment authority.

“Warehouse facilities have been a successful approach to meet the needs of investors, allowing for easy and effective storage and light industrial activities,” he said.

“Infrastructure projects have also been put in motion to provide better services for existing and prospective clients. To accommodate the increase of clients at the industrial parks, Rakia has implemented an improved road network to ease operations and enhance road connectivity. The government of Ras Al Khaimah is considering several expansion options for port facilities in the emirate, such as Saqr Port, one of the region’s largest bulk handling ports,” said the spokesman.

A production facility of the French firm Saverglass

Since its inception in 2005, Rakia has moved far beyond the scope of developing and managing free zones and industrial zones. Tasked solely with boosting industrial and business opportunities in Ras Al Khaimah, Rakia began pulling in regional and international businesses to the emirate within a short period of time, attracting a wider range of small, medium and large companies to its two industrial parks. The upshots were steady increases in brand awareness and sparks of interest among investors in what was then a low-key emirate.

In nine years, Rakia has managed to turn its two industrial parks, Al Hamra and Al Ghail, into the preferred choice for informed business investors. Thanks to its flexible and tailored offerings, such as free zone and non-free zone facilities, Rakia brought in billions of dollars of fixed investment to Ras Al Khaimah, the spokesman said.

Rakia’s scope of services, said the spokesman, is evidence of the company’s evolution and success. At Rakia, investors can get everything from business licences to leasing options on land and office spaces to visas. Rakia’s facilities and solutions cover a broad swath of client needs with warehouses and commercial and residential units. Its administrative units offer assistance with visas and all coordination efforts with government departments.

The number of licences that Rakia issues is a good barometer of investment flowing into the emirate. There has been a significant amount of growth in new industrial entities registered with Rakia this year. The low cost of Rakia’s quality services and swift setups is likely to account for the increase.

Ashok Leyland’s plant

Earlier this year, Rakia signed a strategic partnership agreement with RAK Courts to smoothen and expedite processes by establishing a dedicated branch at Rakia’s headquarters. The agreement also allowed Rakia’s employees to have access to the electronic system of RAK Courts and legal advisory services concerning Rakia’s legal affairs.

“Characterised by exceptional value and convenience, Rakia’s approach has earned the company a respectable reputation in the free zone world and a growing portfolio of investors across sectors,” he said.

Rakia’s parks are home to over 500 manufacturers in various sectors, including metals, chemicals, food, plastics and automotive. Some of the major clients present in Rakia’s industrial parks include Guardian Glass (USA), Arc International and Saverglass (France), Zamil Steel (Saudi Arabia), Falcon Technologies International (UAE), Posco (South Korea), Ashok Leyland, JBF, Dabur and Mahindra Motors (India), Duscholux (Germany) and Vesuvius and Ahmed Tea (UK).

In May, Rakia launched a platform to drive business sustainability and engender a sense of community on its premises. Known as the Tenants’ Committee, the initiative invites business leaders from its tenant companies operating within Rakia’s Al Hamra and Al Ghail industrial parks to express any issues or concerns directly to Rakia’s management and  engage in meaningful exchanges and networking among fellow CEOs, corporate heads and senior managers.

Rakia, a fundamental contributor to Ras Al Khaimah’s economy, has played a prominent role in the cycle of growth in the emirate. In essence, while endorsing the organisation itself, Rakia promotes the emirate through its marketing and business campaigns. By attracting investors, Ras Al Khaimah’s economy continues to boom which essentially allows for more investments and developments directed towards the emirate. The economic stability and infrastructure enhancements remain a main attraction for investors. 

“Heading into its 10th year, Rakia is a complete business park offering end-to-end business formation services and solutions with the goal of being the undisputed choice among industrial zones in the region. With a prosperous future ahead, Rakia plans to increase its industrial land assets to ensure sustainability while supporting the economic development of Ras Al Khaimah,” the spokesman said.