Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) is a rapidly expanding free zone in the United Arab Emirates that is strategically placed to help the investors relate to the world and enhance industrial, educational, and business innovations. Under the management of the government of Ras Al Khaimah, RAKEZ offers an environment in which businesspersons, manufacturing firms, and service providers can flourish under one, unified government.
As opposed to an advertising message that seeks to provide information on business establishment, this article is informational and detailed in nature on RAKEZ, including its facilities, digitisation, industrial parks, and the overall contribution to the economic system of the UAE.
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Knowledge of RAKEZ: A Hub of Opportunity
RAKEZ was established in 2017 as the result of merging two large authorities Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ) and the Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority (RAKIA). This merger has resulted in a lean organization providing one-stop shop to all investors and businesses regardless of their size.
Key Objectives of RAKEZ
- Enhance the investment destination of Ras Al Khaimah.
- Streamline regulatory processes using online solutions.
- Help local and foreign businesses produce, logistics, education, and services.
- Add to the long-term diversification and industry of UAE.
The fact that RAKEZ currently accommodates over 18,000 businesses in its premises with a representation of more than 100 countries, and 50 industries to date, shows that the organization is globally attractive and well-operating.
Strategic Value of RAKEZ in the UAE Economy
As Dubai and Abu Dhabi are usually on top agenda on investment, Ras Al Khaimah has silently risen to be a force economically. The significant role of RAKEZ is that it provides competitive cost models and business models, particularly attractive to SMEs, start-ups, and industrial enterprises.
Key Advantages of RAKEZ:
- Connection to GCC, Middle East, Europe and Africa through state of art seaports and airports.
- Reduced operational and facility expenses than bigger emirates.
- Favourable regulatory climate of business.
- Both Free Zone and Non-Free Zone company formation opportunities are available.
Its strategic positioning along RAK Port, Saqr Port, and RAK Airport reinforces the logistical capability in the region, as well as connectivity to the world.
Zones in RAKEZ: Every Business Type
RAKEZ deals with six specialised zones that suit particular industry needs and requirements of investors. These areas offer scaleable infrastructure – in the form of offices and warehouses to industrial plots.
- Al Hulaila Industrial Zone
Al Hulaila Industrial Zone is near the Saqr Port and would be optimal to the heavy industries and manufacturing industries. It has got huge industrial plots, strong power stations and convenient logistics access.
- Al Ghail Industrial Zone
An expansive territory that can accommodate construction, metal works, logistics, and other mid and heavy manufacturing facilities. The area has ready-made warehouses and industrial land tailored.
- Al Hamra Industrial Zone
This area is located close to residential and commercial areas, which makes it ideal to light manufacturing plants, packaging, and trading organizations that do not need larger warehouse areas.
- RAKEZ Business Zone
A center of business people, service providers and SMEs. It consists of the modern office, flexi-desks, and co-working areas, which are applicable to professional and digital companies.
- RAKEZ Academic Zone
This zone is devoted to educational organisations and training centres as well as universities, e-learning, and research hubs. It also adds to the learning and innovation environment of Ras Al Khaimah.
- RAKEZ Media Zone
Developed to be appealing to media, marketing and digital production firms. It provides customizable office suite plans and is evolving into an innovative district by content producers and design agencies.
All these zones are under the umbrella RAKEZ and this makes business regulations easier and easy inter-zone cooperation is possible.
RAKEZ Licences: A Framework for Diverse Business Models
RAKEZ issues several types of licenses, each catering to distinct business activities. Understanding these licenses helps investors identify where they fit within the free zone’s ecosystem.
License Type | Description |
Commercial License | For trading activities like import/export, distribution, and re-export of goods. |
General Trading License | Allows multiple unrelated trading activities under one license. |
Service License | For professionals, consultants, and service-oriented firms. |
Industrial License | For manufacturing, assembly, or heavy industrial operations. |
Educational License | For academic institutions, training providers, and consultancies. |
Facilities & Infrastructure: Scalable Built-in
RAKEZ has a variety of facilities that suit the lifecycle of any business either startup offices to full sized factories.
Office & Flexi Facilities
The RAKEZ Business Centre provides entrepreneurs with the opportunity to select shared desks, serviced offices or customised corporate suites.
Warehouses & Industrial Land
There are ready-to-use warehouses and industrial lands of large plots in such zones as Al Hulaila and Al Ghail. Logistics, manufacturing and construction firms in particular are very appealing to these.
Workplace Enhancement and Support
The RAKEZ also offers integrated worker housing and onsite facilities with regard to adherence to the labour laws within UAE whilst providing convenient locations to industrial establishments.
Digital Transformation: RAKEZ Portal 360
Another distinguishing aspect of modernisation at RAKEZ is its RAKEZ Portal 360, which is an online platform that enables investors to handle their lifecycle in business through the portal.
Using RAKEZ Portal 360, users are able to:
- Apply for or renew licenses
- Track visa and immigration services (rakez visa status, rakez visa tracking)
- Update company information
- Paying government fee safely.
The portal has played a significant role in minimizing delays in the administration, and positioning RAKEZ in line with the Smart Government Vision of the UAE.
The Visa and Immigration Services
RAKEZ makes it easier to obtain visa by both investors and employees with its own RAK Immigration and Visa Services Centre.
Types of Visas Offered
- Investor Visa – to owners of a company or shareholder.
- Employment Visa – of personnel sponsored by the company.
- Dependent Visa– relatives of investors or employees.
The visa management is transparent and efficient because the RAKEZ Portal 360 allows users to quickly check their application or employment visa status online.
RAKEZ Dubai Office: Access Expanding beyond RAK
Although RAKEZ has its headquarters at Ras Al Khaimah, it has a representative office in Dubai to ensure the ease of access by businesses in other emirates.
The RAKEZ Dubai Office offers:
- Business advisory support
- Services of document collection and verification.
- Connection between Dubai-based investors and the headquarters of RAKEZ.
This expanded presence allows RAKEZ to work with business-people who can enjoy the perks of RAK without necessarily going to the north to make all the interactions.
RAK Free Zone vs. RAKEZ RAK Free Zone and RAKEZ What Is the Difference?
It is still commonly called RAKEZ by the old name RAK Free Zone, which was used prior to its consolidation in 2017. RAKEZ was created as the combination of Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ) and Rakia IA that is, in fact, a combination of free zone and non-free zone operations in a single system.
Therefore, the RAK Free Zone is informal, but the current official body is RAKEZ.
Under RAKEZ, the industries are prosperous
The diversity of RAKEZ enables the business across various fields to work effectively. Leading industries include:
- Manufacturing and Industrial production.
- Logistics and Supply Chain
- Education and Training
- E-Commerce and Digital Media
- Consulting and Professional Services.
- Green Industries and Renewable Energy.
The fact that it borders the seaports, affordable warehousing, and ready workforce make it particularly appealing to manufacturers who are oriented to export.
RAKEZ and its Sustainability and Innovation
RAKEZ is benchmarking its activities in accordance with the Sustainability Agenda 2030 of the UAE by promoting sustainable industrial manufacturing and investing in digital transformation. Efforts include:
- Industrial zone construction standards that are energy efficient.
- Online registration of business without the use of papers via RAKEZ Portal.
- Waste management and recycling associations in Al Hulaila industrial zone.
These programs enhance RAKEZ reputation as a progressive free zone that promotes a responsible development.
Comparison to Other UAE Free Zones
RAKEZ is characterized by compared to such areas as IFZA, SHAMS, or JAFZA:
- Reduced establishment and a renewal price.
- Expansive facility (industrial, commercial, academic) choices.
- Combination of Free Zone and Non-Free Zone models.
- SMEs and manufacturers flexibility.
Although Dubai free zones are known to be highly connected by the world, RAKEZ offers value-based infrastructure, which fits small and large industrial businesses with cost-effective entrepreneurs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is RAKEZ?
The acronym RAKEZ is used to refer to Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone, which is a government-supported organization whose main role is to manage various industrial and business zones within the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.
- RAKEZ is a Free Zone or a Mainland Authority?
RAKEZ has both Free Zone and Non-Free Zone systems that are flexible to both local and international investors.
- What are the kinds of businesses that can be conducted in RAKEZ?
RAKEZ hosts trading, service, education and industrial businesses in its specialised zones.
- Where is the RAKEZ Dubai Office located?
This office is located in Dubai to provide services to investors without necessarily traveling to Ras Al Khaimah.
- What is the RAKEZ Activity List?
It is an extensive list of business operations that will be licensed in the free zone and it can be accessed on the official RAKEZ site.
RAKEZ Future: Horizon Expansion
As it continues investing into automation, logistics connectivity, and industrial growth, RAKEZ can continue being a pillar of the UAE business ecosystem.
RAKEZ is at the centre of the economic strategy of Ras Al Khaimah in the next decade due to the integration of digital governance by the authority, as well as infrastructure areas such as Al Hulaila Industrial Zone.
Conclusion
RAKEZ is the vision of a diversified and innovation-focused economy, the UAE. Its smooth regulatory system, computerized systems and the best infrastructure in the world still lure businesspeople, investors, and companies who want to grow at a sustainable rate.
A curious case study to professionals, researchers, and investors seeking to understand the changing business environment in the UAE is RAKEZ, which is a study of balanced development: where opportunity and affordability meet, and tradition and innovation do.
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