INDUSTRY
Key players in the industry sector highlight the Emirate's dedication to quality and healthy competition.
In our business, the main challenge is the extra demand from the export market. It was not in our calculations, and we were not ready for it. On a positive note, this higher demand highlights how the end users trust “Made in RAK” and Emirati production in general. Now, we need to leverage this higher demand and aim for more production lines and open more markets, boosting the kind of exposure we have externally. There are high-quality products in Ras Al Khaimah, and we know there is a high demand out there from markets in the region, such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Egypt. However, it is important to retain a balance, and prioritize both local and regional markets in the GCC, Africa, and the Indian Subcontinent.
The biggest challenge was to educate our customers on the key differences of our food because at first, they only looked at the price and chose cheaper alternatives. Once our customers understood that the value of our product far outweighed the price, we became their first choice. Our toughest challenge was to introduce our cheese to different demographics that do not historically eat the types of cheese that we produce. We have managed to grow our brand despite the many challenges that we faced and now distribute to most of the major hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets in the UAE. Ras Al Khaimah was our first choice when looking for an Emirate to build our organization because it is continuously growing and improving. Regarding accessing raw materials, we still bring in some from Europe. However, we pride ourselves on the fact that the milk that we use comes strictly from the UAE. We have many local resources and believe in the importance of buying local first.
The public and private sectors need to bring in more professionals who can develop this sector. In Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the industrial areas are well organized in terms of security and infrastructure. We are also doing this in Ras Al Khaimah, though there is still more that can be done to improve the environment. I have seen a factory in the area that does fit in with the idea of environment sustainability. There is a need for professionals who can advise the government on how to operate with the environment in mind. That said, the manufacturing sector will not play any less of a role in the future. The industry sector is wide. It is already progressing excellently, given that we are already competitive, even against Saudi players. Quality speaks for itself. A customer often agrees to pay a higher price when they see the difference in quality. The UAE is working to eliminate any international competition by making sure that 80% of the consumption of plastics is sourced from within. Previously, we faced a large competitor in Saudi Arabia. However, as it had a great deal of diversification in its products and is generally larger than us, it can lose in one product line and still be covered by other products. We, on the other hand, cannot do that. It can compete by reducing the prices of certain products and covering the losses with others. Such competition was tough on us. Now, however, it is not the case due to the new regulation.
Having a business set up in the economic zone has been a great experience for us. We can have full ownership. That is why foreigners are more interested in setting up here. It is also possible to get visas and paperwork processed quickly. Other benefits include no customs duties for importing or exporting goods or materials. There are customs fees or other charges; however, it is still extremely competitive. In our case, we have felt the benefits because we do business with customers outside of the country as well. We export freely to them without problems. We import materials from outside of the UAE without paying any taxes. The main reason that we chose to set up at RAKEZ's state-of-the-art Al Hamra Industrial Zone was the convenience of the location, with logistical accessibility to both Sharjah and Dubai. RAKEZ also provides extremely cost-effective solutions for businesses, and that is why we chose to set up our business here. The team at RAKEZ was extremely helpful when we were in the early days of setting up our operations; and their assistance was invaluable, especially when establishing the power connection. We enjoy an interactive and supportive relationship, and are proud to be one of RAKEZ's companies chosen to be visited by foreign delegations that come to Ras Al Khaimah from all around the world to explore investment opportunities it offers.
INDUSTRY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Interview
ndrea Di Gregorio, , Director of Energy Efficiency and Renewables , RAK Municipality Department
TBY talks to Andrea Di Gregorio, Director of Energy Efficiency and Renewables of the RAK Municipality Department, on the Emirate's overall strategy, specific programs, and early supporters of energy efficiency and renewables.
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Abdulrhman Al Shayeb Al Naqbi, Director General, Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development (RAK DED)
TBY talks to Abdulrhman Al Shayeb Al Naqbi, Director General of the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development (RAK DED), on improving the ease of doing business, key diversification pillars, and the impact of new VAT.
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Sheikh Ahmed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman, Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ)
TBY talks to Sheikh Ahmed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), on offering investors a global platform, creating a one-stop shop, and the strategic comparative advantages of access to the Indian Ocean.
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Manu Mehra, CFO, RAK Investment & Development Office (RAK IDO)
TBY talks to Manu Mehra, CFO of the RAK Investment & Development Office (RAK IDO), on the role of free zones in diversification, the benefits of smart state intervention, and the keys most needed for a strong manufacturing sector.
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Yousef Esmaeel, Chairman, Supreme Committee of Saud Bin Saqr Establishment for Youth Enterprises Development (RAK SME)
TBY talks to Yousef Esmaeel, Chairman of the Supreme Committee of Saud Bin Saqr Establishment for Youth Enterprises Development (RAK SME), on incentivizing young people, working with local government to encourage entrepreneurialism, and the role of SMEs in the UAE marketplace.
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Abdullah Al Abdooli, Managing Director, Al Marjan Island
TBY talks to Abdullah Al Abdooli, Managing Director of Al Marjan Island, on the continuous growth of the real estate market in RAK, its robust investment landscape, and the Emirate's ambitious plans to develop its tourism sector.
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Hassan Hamdan Al Alkim, President , American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK)
TBY talks to Hassan Hamdan Al Alkim, President of the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK), on the consequences of growing global demand for education and AURAK's efforts to attract students from beyond the Emirate.
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Gurumadhva Rao, Vice Chancellor, RAK Medical & Health Sciences University (RAKMHSU)
TBY talks to S. Gurumadhva Rao, Vice Chancellor of the RAK Medical & Health Sciences University (RAKMHSU), on the further development of higher education, its key differentiators, and the need for qualified doctors.
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Taner Topcu, Director, Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone’s (RAKEZ) Academic Zone
Taner Topcu holds a bachelor's degree in Public Administration from Anadolu University in Turkey. He is an industry expert with more than 20 years of successful experience in education, hospitality, business development, and customer relations. Prior to joining RAKEZ in 2015, Taner worked at TECOM Investment's Education Cluster in Dubai Knowledge Village and Dubai International Academic City, where he worked in operations, business development, and account management. He also worked at Aabar Investments in Abu Dhabi as a Business Development Manager and at Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority as a Director of Engagement Operations.
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