RAK FTZ Posts 17% Increase in New Company Registrations in Q1 2011

By Rak Free Trade Zone, PRNE
Sunday, April 17, 2011

Licence Renewal up by 36% Compared to Previous Year Q1 Results

RAS AL KHAIMAH, UAE, April 18, 2011 - The Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ) - one of the
fastest-growing and most cost-effective free trade zones in the UAE - has
announced that 522 new companies registered with the free zone in the first
quarter of 2011, a 17% increase in registrations over Q1 2010.

(Photo:
www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20110418/450000 )

RAK FTZ also announced that a total of 970 licences were
renewed during Q1 compared to 710 licences renewed in the corresponding
period in 2010, representing an increase of 36.6%. The phenomenal growth in
new registrations and licence renewals achieved in the extremely challenging
economic environment in the region reflects the world-class standards,
facilities and services on offer at RAK FTZ.

Among the 522 companies that registered between January and
March, the majority - including the top 10 - are from India (140), followed
by United Kingdom (43), Egypt (29), Pakistan (27), Turkey (24), France (20),
Germany (16), USA (15), Jordan (13) and the Russian Federation (13). With the
new entrants, the total number of registered companies operational at RAK FTZ
by the end of Q1 2011 was well over 5,000.

Commenting on the growth, Oussama El Omari, RAK FTZ CEO, said:
"The tremendous increase in new registrations and licence renewals in the
first quarter of 2011 reinforces our reputation as one of the most attractive
investment zones in the Middle East. Our open door economic development
policy has gone a long way towards gaining investor confidence from across
the globe, as is evident from both the new registrations and the renewals.
More importantly, the environment to grow and flourish has become a hallmark
of RAK FTZ that is greatly admired by our investors."

"With a positive start to the year, RAK FTZ is looking forward to more
successful business liaisons, new company registrations and further increases
in revenue - a positive outlook that will do Ras Al Khaimah, as well as the
whole UAE, a world of good. That this achievement came amidst a volatile
business atmosphere is even more commendable. Our existing and potential
clients expect certain standards, and we are committed to meeting those needs
and expectations. With some leading companies making their way to RAK FTZ, we
are, ultimately, contributing to the economic growth of Ras Al Khaimah and
the UAE as a whole," he added.

Since the start of 2011, RAK FTZ has focused on powering up
its key value-added services for customers through online and offline
marketing initiatives. Some of the marketing activities undertaken in Q1
include RAK FTZ's participation in the Partner Middle East Roadshow organised
by UK Trade & Investment in the UK. RAK FTZ also organised a seminar in close
cooperation with the London-based Middle East Association.

In addition, RAK FTZ took an active part in the 3rd Mondissimo
International Mobility Conference in Paris in March, where El Omari made a
presentation on 'Growth Opportunities in the Gulf Region'. This was a great
opportunity for RAK FTZ to showcase the key facilities and services on offer
at the zone and tap the potential of the French market.

Further emphasising the growing significance of the Indian
market and investments from the country, RAK FTZ also organised four road
shows in India, in Ludhiana, Mumbai, Bangalore and Ahmedabad, as well as
welcoming an inward business delegation from India. Representatives from RAK
FTZ also participated in the World SME Conference in India and the
Polish-Arab Investment Forum in Poland, as well as participating in a series
of networking events in the US and Turkey.

RAK FTZ's impressive growth comes amidst large-scale
infrastructure development currently under way in the Northern Emirates, with
encouraging support from the UAE Federal government. Logistics and
infrastructure are inextricably linked, and future industry sector growth is
supported by the ongoing development of vital projects across the country.

This includes a USD 43.3 million plan to construct a
36-kilometre main pipeline to provide Ras Al Khaimah with water, as well as a
solar island project.

Additionally, Ras Al Khaimah has announced an ambitious
development programme, valued at USD 822 million, to upgrade its road
infrastructure, in addition to its sewage networks, by 2015. Designed to
accommodate a projected population increase to 600,000 residents, the various
multi-million dollar infrastructure investments will benefit businesses and
communities, and create opportunities for investors planning to make Ras Al
Khaimah
their base.

About the Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority:

Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ) is one of the
fastest-growing and most cost-effective free trade zones in the United Arab
Emirates
(UAE). With a reputation for affordability, flexibility and broad
geographical reach, RAK FTZ is rapidly emerging as the preferred business hub
in the region, from which investors can easily access and branch into the
emerging markets.

2010 marks RAK FTZ's 10th year in operation, and in the past
decade, it has gone from strength to strength, garnering accolades and awards
along the way. Since its establishment in 2000, with only a handful of staff
and a few offices, the free zone has grown by leaps and bounds and is now
home to some 5,000+ active companies from 106 countries around the globe,
employs more than 350 fulltime staff, operates business and promotion centres
in four locations in the UAE and has an expanding international presence,
with liaison offices in Germany, Turkey, India and the USA.

To learn more about the RAK Free Trade Zone, visit:
www.rakftz.com

    For further information, please contact:
    Cleo Eleazar
    Public Relations and Media Officer
    Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority (RAK FTZA)
    Phone: +971-7-2077173
    E-mail: c.eleazar@rakftz.com

<media>

Photo:
www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20110418/450000

</media>

.

YOUR VIEW POINT
NAME : (REQUIRED)
MAIL : (REQUIRED)
will not be displayed
WEBSITE : (OPTIONAL)
YOUR
COMMENT :