RAS Al Khaimah Investment Authority (Rakia), the government entity responsible for attracting investments to free zones in Ras Al Khaimah, has proved to be a star attraction every year at The Big 5 show.

The authority, which provides a complete range of investment solutions to local and foreign investors, generates tremendous response from regional and international trade visitors at the event – and this is not surprising, given its impressive growth and performance, according to a spokesman for Rakia.

For instance, Rakia recently revealed that it has issued 908 onshore licences and 917 offshore licences in the first eight months of 2011, bringing the total number of companies registered under the authority to 9,853.

“Moreover, on an average, Rakia has been issuing 114 onshore licences each month so far in 2011, representing a 22.6 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2010, while an average of 115 offshore licences were issued, a 12.7 per cent increase from 2010,” he says.

Warehousing facilities at RAK Free Trade Zone.

With regard to the geographic distribution of investors, Indian investors dominate with 27 per cent of the total number of businesses/companies registered with Rakia, followed by investors from the Middle East at 19 per cent and Europe at 19 per cent. Investors from the UAE account for 15 per cent of the business licences issued, nine per cent are from the rest of Asia, three per cent are from the US and two per cent are from Russia and the CIS.

“These figures clearly reaffirm that Ras Al Khaimah remains a top choice of international investors, and Rakia, under the guidance of HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, has played a major role in helping the emirate achieve this status,” the spokesman says. “Over the years, Rakia has developed a very attractive range of business incentives, while proactive government support has helped ensure that the total cost of running a business in Ras Al Khaimah remains highly competitive compared to other free zones in the UAE and across the region.”

He continues: “Investors increasingly are recognising the true potential and opportunities Ras Al Khaimah offers as an investment destination, and have appreciated the strong government support and the range of investor-friendly policies that have been introduced over the years. “Rakia’s role, as the investment authority, has been to leverage the growing interest in the emirate from investors around the world and to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to satisfy investor requirements.”

At The Big 5, Rakia will meet with participating companies to explain the potential investment opportunities in Ras Al Khaimah. It will provide a comprehensive presentation of the products and services it has to offer at its industrial parks as well as detailed information on doing business in the emirate, specifically highlighting the advantages that it offers compared to other destinations.

Rakia will be present at Stand MC 50 at The Big 5 show.