RAK FTZ Grows Revenue in 2009 With 11 Per Cent Increase

RAS AL KHAIMAH, UAE, March 8, 2010 - In the face of 2009's financial adversity, Ras Al Khaimah Free
Trade Zone (RAK FTZ) forged on and emerged ahead of its game, joining the
ranks of top-performing free zones in rebuilding confidence in the world
economy.

(Photo:
www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100308/381110 )

In the past year, RAK FTZ kept its eye on the ball by stepping
up its activities and introducing initiatives on a number of fronts, which
not only enhanced its marketing and customer-relations programmes but also
demonstrated its ongoing commitment to the local community. As a result, the
free zone was able to accomplish more than it set out to do and continued to
enjoy a steady increase in new company registrations and revenue, which grew
by 10 and 11 per cent respectively, as compared to 2008.

"The progress we made in 2009 can be attributed to the fact
that we knew the financial reality we were facing and strategised based on
that reality. We drew and implemented action plans that saw us through the
crisis," comments Oussama El Omari, RAK FTZ CEO. He adds "We needed to put
our best efforts towards support in the local economy, by attracting new
businesses and investment to the UAE, and this required us to be visible,
both locally and internationally and strive to be the best in our product
sector. Also, we needed to widen our scope. One of our main focuses now is to
support SMEs - because a blooming SME industry is one of the most vital signs
of a flourishing economy."

RAK FTZ's efforts to enhance its visibility internationally
and reach new markets involved 158 activities in 2009 alone, which mainly
targeted key markets, like Jordan, Syria, India, Lebanon, Pakistan and Egypt.
Through its participation in conventions and trade fairs, advertising
campaigns and road shows, the free zone promoted special offers to road show
and exhibition visitors and media and business associations.

Within the last four years, this programme for information
dissemination and continuous education about RAK FTZ products and services
have effectively enhanced RAK FTZ's worldwide reach, proving to be most
prolific between 2006 to 2007, with a jump from 2,768 to 4,309 companies, and
2007 and 2008, when a 12 per cent increase was recorded.

Of the total of 1,935 new company registrations in 2009, India
led the way, with 37 per cent new companies registered, followed by the UK,
with 12 per cent. In the Middle East, Egypt topped the list of new
registrations, with 6 per cent; meanwhile, the activities of the companies
doing business in the free zone could be divided among following sectors -
64% trading with warehousing facilities, 26% consulting and services, 3%
industrial, and 7% general trading.

Some of RAK FTZ's new registrations topping in 2009 in terms
of investment were Dolphin International FZC (RAK Duty Free), Ballistic
Solutions Emirates FZE, Capdec Paints FZC, Middle East Spark Trading FZE,
Thermal Ceramics, and Max Marine FZC.

One of RAK FTZ's ongoing objectives is to strengthen its brand
by meeting and exceeding the needs and expectations of existing and future
clients. In line with this, RAK FTZ organised a number of
camaraderie-building activities in 2009, such as Business Breakfast and RAK
FTZ Golf & Networking Day, to promote friendship, open communication and a
steady exchange of ideas among its members. RAK FTZ also introduced a number
of value-added services in 2009, such as the dedicated German desk. Manned by
German-speaking personnel, the desk aids clients with everything from visa
processing to setting-up offices at the RAK FTZ Business Centre.

Additionally, RAK FTZ re-launched 'Free Spirit' the bi-monthly
newsletter, which quickly grew from 26 to 40 pages tackling a variety of
topics of interest to its stakeholders, including the most recent companies
to join RAK FTZ, upcoming activities and the best tourist spots in and around
town, and much more. To keep pace with current trends in communications,
marketing and customer care, the Free Zone also delved into the realm of
social media, establishing a presence on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter,
where it actively shares its latest news and announcements and interacts with
current and prospective clients and other interested parties.

Underlining its commitment to the environment, RAK FTZ held
industry-leading meetings during the year, to educate its clients about the
much-awaited Environmental Performance Card, participated in several 'Clean
Up' campaigns, and in the last quarter of 2009, sponsored the second Desert
Protection Campaign to help preserve the UAE's pristine desert environments.

The year 2009 also saw the efforts of RAK FTZ recognised by a
number of award-giving bodies. Starting early in the year, RAK FTZ received
prizes in four categories at the Sheikh Saqr Programme for Government
Excellence, namely 'Distinguished Governmental Department of the Year 2008',
'Mystery Shopper', 'Distinguished Organised Unit for 2008' and 'Applying
Standards - Processes'. Later on, it was voted the 'Best Emerging Free Zone'
for the third consecutive year by the Middle East Logistics Awards (MELA) and
was also awarded the 'Industrial Area of the Year Award' by the Supply Chain
and Transport Awards (SCATA). Furthermore, its evolving website was
recognised as the 'Best Website' at the 9th World Free Zone Convention
(WFZC).

These distinctions are the direct result of RAK FTZ's
commitment to become the preferred business hub of the Middle East and mark
the path for its historic 10-year anniversary, which will be celebrated in
May 2010, with not only fanfare but also a review of its last 10 years'
performance and a renewed dedication to continue to improve in all aspects.

"We are committed to doing everything we can to contribute to
the generation of new jobs, the growth of our economy and the preservation of
our environment," El Omari shared. "This year, as we celebrate our 10th
anniversary, we reflect on the time that has passed and plan for the future.
It is another era that we are entering, and we look forward to it with much
excitement."

The year ahead holds a lot of promise. The free zone plans to
strengthen its positioning as a business hub geared at helping SMEs to
connect to emerging economies, target new key markets such as Turkey, Russia,
South Africa and the USA, launch its Mazeed Services, continue to improve its
products and services, and increase registrations by 15%, with approximately
2250 additional companies. In 2010, the free zone will further prove that it
is, indeed, what its slogan states - The Home of Business.

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 unique four-park system comprised of
Business Park, Industrial Park, Technology Park and Academy Zone, each of
which offers 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; or follow us on
Twitter (twitter.com/rakftz), Facebook
(www.facebook.com/pages/Ras-Al-Khaimah-Free-Trade-Zone-Authority/
214396565557?ref=nf), and YouTube(www.youtube.com/user/rakftz).

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    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

Photo:
www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100308/381110

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