RAK Free Trade Zone Awarded 'Best Website' at the World Free Zone Convention

RAS AL KHAIMAH, UAE, December 11 - Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ) marked its presence
in a big way at the 9th World Free Zone Convention (WFZC) which was organised
in Hyderabad from 9th to 10th December 2009. WFZC is an annual event and is
"The No. 1 Meeting Place for the World's Free Zones".

(Photo: www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091211/370614 )

Oussama El Omari, CEO of RAK FTZ had been invited by the
organisers as a guest speaker on the topic 'Branding Zones and Communications
Strategies as Investment Enablers' to highlight the success model of the Ras
Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone. Some 150 delegates who attended the convention
were highly impressed with the growth of the Free Zone despite the financial
crisis that hit many countries since last year and more specifically the
innovative strategies that are being put in place to attract FDI in the
emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.

The Convention which was chaired by Graham Mather, Chairman of
World Free Zone Convention & President, European Policy Forum, London &
Brussels, saw the participation of renowned speakers from Investment
Promotion Agencies, Corporate and Location Specialists as well as Government
Ministries, Investors, Banks and other Financial Advisers, and delegates from
around 20 countries.

During the gala dinner at the Novotel Airport Hotel in
Hyderabad, India on 9th December, Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone's
informative, user-friendly and easy-to-navigate website,
www.rakftz.com, was awarded as 'Best Website of a Free Zone or Export
Processing Zone' from The World Free Zone Convention (WFZC), amongst stiff
global competition. The distinction was awarded by Graham on behalf of the
convention's sponsor IPA World Global Trade and Investment News.

WFZC has long acknowledged the positive values of the internet
as an effective means of communication, especially in this divergent and
regional world market. Since 2002, it has been recognising global companies
in two categories: Category One - Best Website of a Free Zone or Export
Processing Zone and Category Two - Best Website of a National, Regional or
Local Government entity, Association or any other organisation represented at
the Convention.

The websites are judged on visual impact, depth and clarity of
information, user friendliness, and site guidance. In 2008, RAK FTZ already
garnered the runner up award in the same category.

"We are simply delighted with this recognition," shared
Oussama El Omari, CEO of RAK FTZ, who attended the event as a guest speaker
for the convention's forums and seminars. He added, "We are always launching
new value-added services for our clients, and one of the first ones, to which
we dedicated a lot of time and effort, was our website. Our website is a
reflection of our business and is often the first that impression someone
will get as to who we are and what we do, so it must accurately portray our
values and philosophies, as well as the quality of service that is available
at RAK FTZ. How else can you attract new clients, if their first interaction
with you - which is usually a through a visit to your website - is already a
disappointing failure?"

Re-launched in 2008, the RAK FTZ website, which is rigorously
upgraded and updated by a dedicated team, offers a power-packed and
interactive experience for current and prospective clients. With the aim to
make transactions as convenient and straightforward as possible, RAK FTZ's
Creative Section has worked on translating the website into the different
languages that majority groups of the free zone's clients speak, including
English, German, Turkish, Russian and Arabic.

One of the main features of the website is the Business Forum,
where visitors can ask questions and receive all the information they need to
set up a business in the UAE, from the local culture, economy and market
atmosphere to taxes, government regulations and more.

The talk delivered by El Omari during the convention,
perfectly complemented 'The Best Website' award, which focused on the
importance of creating a difference in brand equity and place branding in the
minds of investors. Using the UAE as an example, he highlighted the
significance and importance of branding, in view of the crisis that is
happening in Dubai and the expected recovery of the UAE, and the need for Ras
Al Khaimah to create a mark that will give it a credible and profitable
position in the investor's mind.

At the WFZC, El Omari also had high level discussions with top
officials of the Special Economic Zones including the State of Tamil Nadu in
India to work out collaboration between their SEZ and RAK FTZ that will be
beneficial to both parties. RAK FTZ will be looking into the possibility of
partnering with the major SEZs in India and to see how the companies
operating in their SEZs can use RAK FTZ as a central hub for the Middle East
and North Africa markets. As the market in the MENA region increase, having a
facility in RAK FTZ, which offers strong tax incentives to business, is an
important component of any manufacturer's global strategy.

Since its creation in 2000, RAK FTZ is today accommodating
more than 1600 companies from India and this figure will increase
significantly in 2010. WFZC was definitely a good platform for the branding
of RAK FTZ and many delegates both Indian and foreign, have shown keen
interest to know more about the opportunities that exist for them and to
learn from the experience of RAK FTZ.

Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ) is a world-class
business hub and a vehicle for industrial growth and development. The Free
Trade Zone, with its cutting-edge technology and keen customer focus, offers
on-demand and custom-built support services to investors in a cost-effective
and flexible environment. The Free Trade Zone also offers a range of unique
services, which include legal, human resources and marketing assistance.

RAK FTZ has created a system of four Parks - Business Park,
Industrial Park, Technology Park and Al Ghayl Industrial Park - which offer
identical advantages and benefits to investors. Backed by legislations
allowing 100 per cent foreign ownership, a tax-free environment, transparent
laws and 100 per cent capital and profit repatriation, the free trade zone is
well positioned for global commerce.

Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone is one of the fastest growing
free trade zones, with companies from 106 countries around the globe. For
more information, visit www.rakftz.com.

    Contact:

    Cleo Eleazar
    Public Relations and Media Officer
    Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority (RAK FTZA)
    Email: c.eleazar@rakftz.com
    Phone: +971-7-2077173

Contact: Cleo Eleazar, Public Relations and Media Officer, Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority (RAK FTZA), Email: c.eleazar at rakftz.com, Phone: +971-7-2077173