Envisioning RAK

Lot more colourful

In public perception, Ras Al Khaimah has mostly been
associated with industry in the past, the reason being
the emirate’s rich natural resources, which help sustain
many types of industries. In this respect, RAK might
well be considered the regional headquarters of some
industries, such as cement and ceramics.
But of late, there is a certain discernible change in
perception. As the emirate’s economy develops in
various directions, there is a simultaneous growth of
the market for goods and services. This is indicated by
a steady flow of brands to Ras Al Khaimah and these
include consumer brands, shopping malls, hospitality
players and even lifestyle and healthcare providers,
not to leave out amusement parks.
Some of the recent entrants to the emirate include
retailers such as Centrepoint and lifestyle players
such as VLCC. Also, there is a consistent addition to the
emirate’s shopping infrastructure, with a number of
new malls in line to open outlets. On the heavier side,
you have names like Ashok Leyland, the leading bus
and truck manufacturer from India, which has set up
its first overseas bus assembly unit in the emirate.
The continuing trend reinforces Ras Al Khaimah’s
confidence as one of the most favoured emerging
destinations for investments.

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 Contents

Page 8

Cover Story

RAK Calling......

The B(r)andwagon
Page 14 Page 28
Economy Headed North Real Victories
Cost-effective RAK The real estate scene in RAK is happening

Page 20 Page 38
The Future is Now Never Ever Give Up
Interview with Oussama El Omari, CEO, RAKFTZ Rizwan Sajan, Chairman, Danube, on his mantra of success
4
Page 22 Page 40
Winning Streak Education
Dr Khater Massaad, CEO, RAKIA, on the steady
progress of the emirate
Page 44
Sports

Page 46
RAK on a Roll

Page 24 Page 50
Union Cement celebrates 35 years Events
Signature of Trust
RAK Industries offers energy
efficient switchgear panels and
world class HVAC ducts for
commercial building projects,
industrial plants, healthcare
facilities, hospitality and
entertainment venues, retail
locations and all types of residential
complexes, from high rise towers to
villas, across the UAE

P.O. Box 14521, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE,

Tel: + 971-7-2445310, Fax: + 971-7-2444653
Email: office@rakindustries.net - Website: www.rakindustries.net
 RAK PORCELAIN AD
DPS

6
RAK PORCELAIN AD
DPS

7
 COVER STORY
RAK Calling
The emirate has attracted some well-known international brands
For an emirate that had to drive
all the way to Dubai or Abu
Dhabi to shop for brands, a slew of
brands have opened shop in the
RAK neighbourhood. Across various
sectors, be it food chains, retail outlets,
lifestyle shops, cosmetics – RAK is
2
8 now a fertile ground for them all,
because it offers a great market for its
current population and will address
the needs of its fast- growing future
population. With real estate units at
Al Marjan islands, Mina Al Arab, and
Al Hamra completing and getting in
residents, the brands bandwagon is
only predicted to increase. Some of
the recent additions to the brands at
RAK are Danube, Landmark, VLCC and
Dabur, to name a few. These have been
successful, popular and well-received.
What’s more, a couple of them are
planning to get their subsidiaries to RAK
as well as expand or refurbish existing
older branches. While some of these
companies have set up base within
RAK’s two free zones, others are located
outside the free zone areas. It is also
true that a handful more of well-known
companies are registered in the various
free zones of RAK, but operate outside
the emirate.
Retailers who have opened shop in
RAK find the climate similar to the other
emirates in terms of shopping, while
investors find the emirate cost-effective
and easy to do business.
Shoppers are most delighted. “We
have a growing number of brands in
RAK, we don’t have to go all the way
to Dubai and Abu Dhabi to shop like
we did in the past. A few years ago,
we could say that food chain brands
came to RAK, now, with the opening
of branded lifestyle stores and retail
outlets, we have them all in the RAK
neighbourhood. This shows that the
emirate is growing,” says Hadeel Mhanna,
a RAK resident since childhood, who is
elated at the progress in the emirate.
“Locals like to go brand shopping and
now we have more brands to choose
from right here. Also brands bring in
their own lifestyles,” she adds.
Dr Bhushan Sainani, General Manager
of Uniestate, who has moved to RAK
from Sharjah, doesn’t miss the bustle of
his earlier home. “Nearly all the brands
are now available at RAK. I don’t even
go to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. It has
the perfect blend of a restful place
surrounded by natural beauty and the
best of what Dubai and Abu Dhabi can
offer. We have a number of food and
clothing brands at the Manar Mall as
well as the Al Hamra Mall that keep us in
RAK now,” he adds.

For the lifestyle stores that have
set up base in RAK, the emirate’s
relaxed environment is conducive to
shopping and leisure. “It is idyllic, has
an old world charm about it and yet is
quite contemporary, which is a good
combination. People have the time to
indulge and shop at leisure,” says Vinod
Talreja, CEO, Babyshop from Landmark
Group. The new Centrepoint store at
RAK, opposite the Cove Rotana Hotel
(yet another hotel brand that
moved to RAK), is sprawled over
an area of 65,000 sq ft, stocking
a diverse portfolio of brands
such as Babyshop, Shoe Mart,
Splash, Beautybay, and Lifestyle,
as well as an unending array
of in-house and international
brands. It is doing good business
and attracting a new set of
clientele, while their first store,
located in the Al Nakheel area,
has not recorded any real drop in
footfall. “This goes to prove how RAK is
a great platform to showcase mid-
market brands. We are expecting more
business once the developments at
Al Marjan, Mina Al Arab and Al Hamra
are fully completed, because RAK has
a sizeable number of foreign tourists,
apart from the regular customer base
that consists of locals and expatriates”.
His group is also planning to refurbish
the store at Nakheel as well as launch
another brand in the emirate. “We shall
also shortly launch Shoe Express in RAK,
a value-for-money division within our
flagship brand Shoemart. Shoe Express
will be a standalone store outside the
two Centrepoint stores in the emirate,”
he adds. He finds the RAK market has
potential, is cost-effective, and has the
same kind of eagerness and enthusiasm
towards retail shopping as other
emirates.
VLCC, the region’s preventive
healthcare services and beauty brand
has opened its 10th branch in Al
Nakheel area. The 13th addition to its
regional network, the company has
devised weight management and
9
3
health experience, both for residents
and tourists of RAK. As Mukesh Luthra,
 Chairman, VLCC, states, “Owing to a
higher standard of living in RAK, we
observed a crucial need for a reliable
solution that provides holistic health
and complete wellness, which the
VLCC helps address.” The VLCC opened
new centres in Al Ain and Bahrain,
which is now followed by the RAK
centre and their second outlet in
Muscat. The group has now earmarked
Dh200million to fund this intensive
expansion plan, which includes new
VLCC centres in Ras Al Khaimah,
Fujairah, Muscat and Bahrain, besides
forays into Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, June 2007, and the
Egypt and other countries in the MENA actual construction started Dhabi by 2011,
region. in July the same year. has prompted us to take
In the RAKIA free zone at Al Hamra, By July 2008, production had strategic steps to address the increased
Dabur -- India’s fourth largest FMCG already begun. demand from homeowners as well as
company Enhancing the building material interior design specialists for top quality
- has a industry of the emirate is Danube building materials across the UAE,” he
manufacturing that opened ‘Buildmart’ opposite the states. The launch of Buildmart follows
unit called Rotana Hotel. Inaugurated by Sheikh Danube’s recent expansion through two
Dabur Naturelle. Omar bin Saqr Al Qasimi, the Dh75 new state-of-the-art facilities in Ajman
Dabur has its million Buildmart, is a state-of-the-art and Al Quoz, wherein the company
operations in retail complex, addressing the building has invested a total of Dh55 million to
healthcare, material needs of customers. Rizwan address the demand for top-quality
personal care Sajan, Chairman, Danube, had always materials in the region.
and food thought of expansion into RAK, but To address the tourist sector, RAK has
products, with space was a constraint. “We received an array of well-known names that have
a portfolio of the support of Sheikh Omar, Chairman set up base in the emirate. While Hilton
household of the RAK Bank, who helped us set RAK has been in the emirate for several
brand names like Amla, Vatika, up the facility here,” he states. Ask him years, recently the New Hilton Beach
Chyawanprash, Hajmola, Lal whether the current financial crisis Resort and Spa made its mark in the
Dantmanjan, Babool, Nature Care, and has had an effect on his company emirate’s landscape.
Pudin Hara. With an office already in and its expansion plans, he answers in Two of its other properties, the Hilton
Jebel Ali, Dubai, and Sharjah, the group the negative. “RAK continues to be a Mina Al Arab, a 400-room hotel and the
started the manufacturing unit at the Al prime venue for economic activity and 112-room Hilton Doubletree Suites in
10 Hamra free zone in RAK. Dabur Naturelle development, with some of the UAE’s the Nakheel area, are being built. The
has an estimated investment between largest projects under construction. Intercontinental Hotel is also coming up
$5-10 million, and is a wholly-owned This, in addition to projections of in the Mina Al Arab development that is
subsidiary under Dabur International. over 111,000 residential units slated being built by RAK Properties. The Cove
While the new unit caters to the for delivery within Dubai and Abu Rotana opened last year and the Banyan
GCC markets, Dabur -- which has
manufacturing units in Cairo -- covers
the US and Australia market. After
Dabur took over Weikfield’s international
business in 1999 since starting off in
the UAE in 1992, the company planned
for a factory-scale operation rather
than a warehouse, and for this, it chose
Ras Al Khaimah. The ground-breaking
ceremony of Naturelle happened in
Tree Al Wadi this year.
In addition to this, Banyan Tree’s
beach villas at Al Hamra are ready
and there are plans to open a resort
at Jebel Jais too. These hotels add
value to the emirate that already
has its own brands like the Al Hamra
Palace Hotel coming up in September
2010 and the newly opened Acacia
Business Hotel. Geneva-based Swiss
Hospitality Holding has started work
on the Alps Hotel, its first hotel in the
Middle East, in Ras Al Khaimah. The
hotel is franchised to UniEstate, a real
estate subsidiary of the Union Group of
Companies. Swiss Hospitality Holding
plans to open 20 hotels in the GCC at
a total cost of $100m. In addition to
this, within the malls in the emirate, are
various clothing and apparel stores as
well as food joints that have a sizeable
presence everywhere in the UAE.
Supermarkets Spinneys and Carrefour
for instance, have a significant presence
in RAK. By next year, Carrefour has plans
to open another supermarket behind
the Centrepoint Store near the Emirates
Road.
TECHNOGYM is yet another brand
that has found favour in RAK. The
world’s leading Wellness Company,
has installed equipment at several
significant properties in the emirate
including the Al Hamra Palace Hotel. The
company has been the leading provider
of premium fitness appliances in Middle
East, Europe, Asia and South America,
and among the top three in the world,
has equipped in the team base, a state-
of-the-art gymnasium with equipments
for strength, resistance, co-ordination
and flexibility training.
As for banks, nearly all banks of the
UAE are present in RAK -- the HSBC
and Bank of Baroda being one of the
first ones. In fact, for the past 33 years,
Bank of Baroda has been part of the
life and times of Ras Al Khaimah. In this
country for the last 35
years, it has
over 125,000
customers and
six branches –
two in Dubai
and one each
in Abu Dhabi,
Sharjah, Ras
Al Khaimah
and Al Ain.
In addition, it has two customer service
centres at Jebel Ali, Mussaffa and Abu
Dhabi and 21 ATMs at various strategic
locations.
Supporting RAK’s industrial growth
and overall economic development,
it has granted financial support to
many new or existing units, apart from
extending its banking services to the
people of the emirate. In the past two
years, the bank, has sanctioned loans
of over Dh1 billion to the corporates
in RAK. Some of its major companies
include RAK Ceramics, JBF RAK, RAK
Minerals, Al Hamra Power Project, Al
Hamra Real Estate, Prime Builders, Electro
11
 RAK etc. To facilitate entrepreneurs and
investors in RAK and to support its new
industries, the bank has entered into
a Memorandum of Cooperation with
RAKIA, and is considering financing new
viable units coming up in RAKIA on a
priority basis.
RAK Hospital
This state-of-the-art healthcare facility
Home-grown brands
RAK is the largest producer of cement
in the Gulf with a number of cement
companies dotting its limestone rich Hajjar
mountains. The wealth of its mountains
also yield raw material for other products,
that are now synonymous with RAK. The
seven cement companies the emirates
12 has are Union Cement, Gulf Cement, RAK
is set up by the Government of Ras Al
Khaimah and ETA Star group of Dubai
as a 50:50 joint venture. Opened in
2007, the hospital is a 65-bed multi-
specialty private hospital, managed by
Sonnenhof Swiss Health (SSH), a leading
name in healthcare and hospitality.
The strategic tie-up between SSH
and ETA Star Healthcare has been
established to provide the highest
Cement Company, Gulf Cement, Pioneer
Cement Industries, Star Cement, RAK White
Cement Company etc. The other growing
in popularity RAK companies are Choco-
lat, the Swiss chocolate making unit at Al
Hamra; and the Emirates Pearl Manufactur-
ing Company, with an office at Al Nakheel.
But the most known RAK brands are:
quality in medical and nursing care.
The facility has been designed as
a premium healthcare complex by
the US-based Ellerbe Becket of Mayo
Clinic repute. The only healthcare
organisation in the world that has
received accreditations from both
the Joint Commission International
(JCI) and the Swiss Leading Hospitals
(SLH), which is based on the standards
of European Foundation for
Quality Management (EFQM),
RAK Hospital joins an exclusive
group of hospitals worldwide,
having passed JCI’s stringent
clinical quality standards. JCI
is the international arm of the
Joint Commission Accreditation
of Healthcare Organisations
(JCAHO). As Raza Siddiqui,
Executive Director, RAK Hospital
states, “The JCI and SLH
Accreditation is a recognition
of our commitment to provide
international quality healthcare
at an affordable price with
premium hospitality.”
The world’s largest manufacturer of ce-
ramic tiles, the company has entered into
the curriculae of universities as a success
story since it scaled the pinnacle of success
in very little time. It is included in the list of
superbrands and owes its success to the
vision of Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi,
Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al
Khaimah as well as its dynamic CEO, Dr
Khater Massaad, and his team. The original
vision of the founders, backed by solid
perseverance, was to set up a successful
ceramic tile and sanitaryware manufactur-
ing company that would meet world
standards for quality and beauty. What
first started production in 1991 has, over
the past decade, progressed with giant
strides to be a world-class organisation,
and among the top ceramic manufactur-
ing organisations in the world. A jewel in
the manufacturing sector of the entire
Middle East, it achieved remarkable suc-
cess within 19 years. RAK Ceramics is an
ISO 9001: 2008 & ISO 14001: 2004 certified
organisation. The Ras Al Khaimah plants
alone produce around 227,000 sq. mt.
of tiles per day and over 8,500 pieces of
sanitaryware per day. Considering the
company’s overseas plants in several other
countries like China, Sudan, Bangladesh, In-
dia and Iran, the global production of tiles
is over 360,000 sq.mt. of tiles per day and
over 11,500 pieces of sanitaryware per day,
making RAK Ceramics one of the largest
multinationals in the world manufacturing
ceramic & porcelain tiles and sanitaryware.
The mineral water company from RAK
was established in 1976 and has an ISO
9002 certification as well as ISO 9001:2000
certification for developing and maintain-
ing a High Standard Quality Management
System as well as the HACCP (Hazard
Analysis Critical Control Points) certifica-
tion. A member of the International Bottled
Water Association as well as Asia Bottled
Water Association, Masafi Water is tested
and approved by NSF International.
The UAE is heavily dependent on desali-
nated water to meet its daily requirement
of water in the region and is the second
largest producer of desalinated water in
the world. It is estimated that ground water
resources meet 30 per cent of drinking
water requirements in the UAE or of which
Masafi is a very well-known brand. Bottled
in the Masafi water plant, Masafi water
passes through the Masafi water aquifiers
and exchanges minerals with the aquifier
rocks and collects salts, ions and minerals
that enrich it.
The largest pharmaceutical and drug
manufacturing company in the
Middle East region,
Jul-
phar was estab-
lished 28 years ago. Originally
called the Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries,
Julphar manufactures medicines, drugs
and various other types of pharmaceu-
ticals and medicines, compounds such
as analgesics, antihistamines, cough and
cold preparations and vitamins. It was
established in the year 1980 under the able
guidance of His Highness Sheikh Saqr bin
Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Ras Al
Khaimah. Since its inception, Julphar has
grown into a world-class, state-of-the-art
pharmaceutical manufacturing company
of the Arab world. Julphar not only has the
A number of universities have set up in RAK that are brands in their own right.
The foremost being the American University of Ras Al Khaimah, Pune University
from India, the University of Bolton from UK, The EPLF, Ecole Polytechnique,
University of Lausanne from Switzerland.
distinction of being the first pharmaceu-
tical manufacturing company in Arab
Gulf states, but is also noteworthy
for being the only pharmaceutical
manufacturer of its scale and size in
the UAE. In November 1984, Julphar
launched its first commercial prod-
uct. Since then, it has traversed
on the path of progress at a brisk
pace. Starting with a single plant
and delivering a few pharma-
ceutical products in the local market,
Julphar has rapidly moulded itself into
a true multinational organisation with
a worldwide trade network. With nine
production plants located in UAE and
its products being marketed across the
globe in over 45 countries across five
continents, Julphar has truly become a
representative of UAE’s entrepreneurial
capabilities. Julphar has more than 800
formulations and 184 brands under
its flag with products in every major
therapeutic category. Julphar’s product
range includes analgesics, anti-malarial,
antibiotic, anti- amoebic, anthelmintics,
antihistamines, vitamins and steroids.
13
 Investment Hub
Economy headed north
14
RAK has conditioned its climate for attracting various businesses
One of the basic necessities to
set up an enterprise is cost-
effectiveness. RAK has been successful
with its investors – even in the current
climate -- due to the fact that it is
cost-effective. Its free zones, (RAK has
two of them – RAK Free Trade Zone
was established in the year 2000, and
RAKIA free zone in 2005) have brought
in a host of companies to its shores that
make it a one-stop destination for the
investor. According to the Chamber
of Commerce, Government of Ras Al
Khaimah, the total number of registered
companies at the end of December
2009 stood at 21,609 compared to
19,697 in 2008 and 17,840 in 2007. The
total number of licences for both the
free zones and industrial zones were
2,368 by October 2009.
The project costs for setting up a
new factory in RAK is said to be about
20 to 25 per cent less compared to
other destinations on account of better
logistics, no duties and overheads or
costs incurred in bureaucratic delays.
The potential investor to RAK does
not encounter the stress of
making the rounds of several
government departments to
sort out his papers to start an
enterprise. The free zones have
structured themselves to suit
him, his time and his needs
to help him start work quickly
and efficiently. The emirate’s
economic model operates
on an increased partnership
between the private and
public sectors, and its portfolio
is diversified. RAK has business
interests in various kinds of industries
(its strong point), manufacturing units,
trading, logistics, tourism, agriculture
and real estate.
RAK’s stability and growth in 2009
owes everything to sound economic
planning. A government statement
pointed to the emirate’s development
of its manufacturing sector last year,
part of a long-term policy aimed at
diversifying the economy that has
resulted in industry contributing more
than eight per cent to RAK’s GDP. “This
policy, bolstered by state incentives
and the establishment of dedicated
industrial zones, has made a number of
manufacturers in RAK, sectoral leaders
in the region and beyond,” said the
statement. Ras Al Khaimah’s GDP (Gross
Domestic Product) currently stands at
$2.52 billion, having grown by more
than 50 per cent over the last four
years. The significant growth has been
attributed to the increased focus on
sectors such as manufacturing, services,
real estate, construction and tourism.
The low cost of doing business at RAK
has prompted FDI Magazine of Financial
Times, London, to rate the emirate as
the most cost-effective destination to
do business in the region.
Spearheading its growth is its
able Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler,
HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi,
who, after his accession, has been
instrumental in modifying its policies
at the administrative, legal and other
levels, to promote new investments and
facilitate businesses. About five years
ago, Sheikh Saud had asked the World
Bank to conduct a comprehensive
study on the foreign investment
avenues available in the emirate as part
of its master development plan in a
conference titled Invest and Live in Ras
Al Khaimah, that outlined sector-wise
developmental initiatives taken by the
government for achieving rapid growth
and development. It included an
extensive infrastructure improvement
programme, expansion of the capacities
of sea ports, private and public
sector partnership in the
healthcare sector, development
of the tourism sector to make
it a premier tourist destination
by tapping the emirate’s
distinct cultural heritage, its rich
repository of natural resources
-- the deserts, mountain ranges,
hot water springs, fertile plains
and the pristine beaches.
Today, Sheikh Saud’s plans are
yielding results. There has been
a sustainable growth in the
emirate in manufacturing, services and
tourism sectors, and considerable rise in
living standards and per capita income.
Much of the development in RAK
is due to its free zones, which have
between them 15 years of track
record. RAKFTZ is home to more than
4,000 active companies. The 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. Of the total
of 1,935 new company registrations
in 2009, India led the way, with 37
15

RAK’s infrastructure complements its cost effectiveness
per cent new companies registered,
followed by UK, with 12 per cent. In
the Middle East, Egypt topped the list
of new registrations, with six per cent.
The activities of the companies doing
business in the free zone could be
divided along the following sectors –
64 per cent trading with warehousing
facilities, 26 per cent consulting and
services, 3 per cent industrial, and 7per
cent general trading. On the other
hand, the RAKIA’s free zones, industrial
parks and offshore facilities as well as
real estate developments and other
16 ventures announced that 2009 was a
prosperous year with 880 onshore and
885 offshore licences issued. In terms
of the onshore licences, 35 per cent
were achieved in the fourth quarter
alone, when considerable growth was
observed, which – as seen from the
January and February 2010 results -- is
expected to continue. The investment
attracted came mainly from UAE (14%),
Middle East (15 per cent), Europe (24%),
India (26 per cent), Asia (9 per cent),
US and CIS countries. Additionally, the
RAKIA established RAKOffshore and the
International Business Company (IBC)
concept -- a move designed to address
the growing demand for offshore
markets, while also complementing
the emirate’s ongoing economic
diversification programme, which has
pulled in 2,500 companies.
The free zones have brought in a
multicultural crowd to RAK, and as
Oussama El Omari, Chairman of the
RAKFTZ states, have integrated the
investor into the community. “When
an investor comes to RAK to set up
business, he shouldn’t feel alienated but
be embraced by the diversity around.
The more multicultural a people are, the
more open minded they become. By
getting people from across the world,
free zones facilitate that openness,”
he states. At RAKFTZ, we believe in a
personal approach, getting close to the
clients, understanding their business
and related needs.” Another major
aspect is innovation. “We always go
by ‘what is the feel of the client?’, ‘how
can we help them’, ‘how can we think
of solutions for them.’ By constantly
innovating on better services to our
clients, we have been successful in our
endeavours. Businesses need costs,
clients, leads etc, and our core strength
is helping our clients. For us, the entire
process is akin to watching a baby grow
- till it is independent to be on its own,”
he adds.
Dr Khater Masssad, CEO RAKIA,
attributes the emirate’s development to
the visionary leadership of Sheikh Saud,
who allows very favourable conditions
for setting up a business in the emirate.
“The procedures are clear and easy,
licences can be issued in one hour’s
time, without hassle or bureaucracy,” he
states. He too states that personalised
and flexible service have been the
tenets of the zone that constantly
strives to fulfil all customers’ business
requirements in the best possible way.
“Our time to complete a project from
zero date to a fully operating factory
has been around 8 to 12 months in RAK.
In all other countries, it has taken at
least 14 to 16 months for construction
alone, not including time to go through
the torturous process to get possession
of land,” he states.
Apart from an array of supportive
infrastructure, the two zones constantly
add on to their facilities to lure new
businesses and service existing ones.
The recently opened RAK Business
Centre in the RAKIA precincts provides
a unique and comfortable workplace
environment for companies. In
addition to a furnished office or shared
desk, they get a professional address
for your mail, and a professional
answering service for phone calls. A
large reception area greets employees
and clients, and access to large or
small conference rooms — providing
the perfect space for presentations
and meetings. The RAKFTZ, on the
other hand, is a well-wired zone
too, constantly innovating the way
it services its customers. Recently, it
launched a German desk to cater to
its German investors. The RAKFTZ has
a nursery that provides for working
mothers of the zone as well as a press
room for journalists, apart from its array
of facilities.
“When we look back, we know
that we took the right decision,” says
A Subba Rao, Senior Manager Projects
- Dabur Naturelle, a company from
the Al Hamra free zone of RAKIA. The
ground breaking ceremony of Naturelle
took place in June 2007 and the actual
construction started in July the same
year, and by July 2008, production had
already begun. By September, they
were already reaching the first year
rated report.
Knauf, the leading producers
of building materials worldwide,
celebrated a local milestone with a
topping ceremony located at the
RAKFTZ Industrial Park. The Knauf RAK
investment is worth Dh500 million, the
biggest investment in RAK FTZ and
their finishing their steel construction
on schedule is a great indicator that
the companies within RAK FTZ are
recovering from the effects of the
global economy.
RAK has earned an ‘A’ long-term and
‘A-1’ short-term sovereign credit rating
by Standard & Poor’s ratings services
that added that the outlook for the
emirate is stable.
The ratings on the emirate rest
primarily on the inter-governmental
relationships within the United Arab
Emirates (UAE) and the likelihood of
extraordinary support in the event
of financial difficulties. Standard &
Poor noted that individual emirates,
including RAK, have limited
expenditure obligations that are
primarily related to local infrastructure,
capital spending to develop emirate-
level projects and funding to service
debts. The ratings agency also
suggested that RAK’s growth prospects
‘appear robust’, observing that the
overhaul of economic strategy since
the appointment of Sheikh Saud as
Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler in 2003,
had resulted in a substantial rise in
investment and a diversification of the
emirate’s economic base.
In terms of logistics, RAK has
Saqr Port with its 12 berths, eight of
which are owned by the government
handling bulk cargo and the rest four
privately operated by KGL that serves
as a container terminal as well as the Al
Jazirah Port -- a port for bulk handling.
The Al Jazeera Port will shortly open
its Dh150 million dry docks facility,
while the Al Jeer Port located towards
the Oman border, is the Gulf’s only
specialist livestock port.
In addition, the government
identified extensive business
infrastructure investments such as
those for updating the port of Mina
Saqr that will allow a 400 per cent
increase in cargo-handling capacity. It
was also suggested that the emirate
has been capitalising on its natural
attractions, including mountains,
beaches and archaeological sites, in
order to develop its tourism sector.
“We might have had a slowdown,
Saqr Port
but we do not have a crisis like other
markets around the world. We expect
business to improve in 2009 and to
achieve growth in 2010.” HE Sheikh
Omar bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman
of RAK Bank highlighted RAK tourism
and industry as the main factors in
the expected boost to the emirate’s
economy and suggested that the
financial downturn of recent months
had stabilised the market representing
the region as an attractive investment
proposition: “The year, 2009 has been
a correction year, which brought the
economy to an acceptable level. Now,
there is much potential for serious
investors to look again and invest in
the emirates.” says Sheikh Omar. The
Ras Al Khaimah Airport with its 3,760m
runway, ILS and all navigation facilities,
is fully equipped to handle passenger
flights and cargo. In terms of the road
network, in addition to the existing
Emirates Road, there are various other
projects in the pipeline. The Dh1 billion
RAK ring road is expected to divert
the flow of heavy geared vehicles off
RAK’s regular roads. The first phase is
expected to be complete in 2010 and
the second phase by 2015.
17
 Cost Consciousness
Catering to middle-income groups, be it travelling executives or families on a budget holiday, the
upcoming Alps Hotel, is timely and much awaited. So is the UIHD group’s sewage treatment plant
facility that aims to get sewage treatment and the associate sustainable technology to homes
Rising up to meet the
growing demand of
budget hotels in the emirate, Uni-
estate, the real estate wing of Union
International Holdings Group, has tied
up with Swiss Hospitality Holdings
Group, Switzerland, to build a chain
of the Alps Hotels starting from RAK.
The first hotel, coming up near the
Department of Economic Develop-
ment’s main office at Al Nakheel, has
18 started the groundwork and construc-
tion shall begin this year. Another
hotel is slated in the Al Marjan islands
off the coast of RAK near the Jazirat
Al Hamra area. “We expect to open 10
Alps Hotels in the next five years,” says
Mahesh Ram, Vice- Chairman – Stra-
tegic Committee, Union International
Holdings Group. He states that 3-5
hotels will be owned by the group
while the others will be franchises.
“There are several five-star proper-
ties in RAK and while they cater to a
niche segment of the population, for
middle-level executives and employ-
Mahesh Ram
ees looking for budget places to stay,
there aren’t too many options. Yes,
there are service apartments run by
families that offer bed and breakfast
options, but don’t meet international
expectations. Also, several 3-4 star ho-
tels are there that don’t usually meet
international expectations. We will
give 4-star services in a 3-star hotel
– since the very basic tenet of this
venture is cost-effectiveness,” states
Ram, who comes with a vast experi-
ence at setting up, restructuring and
re-planning companies in India in
the cities of Bangalore, Bihar, Kolkata
and Mumbai, before he arrived in the
UAE, 15 years ago, as consultant to
an Indian project in RAK. While the
project that he was associated with
wasn’t feasible, a chance meeting
with HE Sheikh Tariq Al Qasimi, Chair-
man of Union Group convinced him
that his own talents would be best
put to use in RAK with the Union
Group. “I stayed on and my associa-
tion with the group has continued all
these 15 years,” he states.
“At that time, Time Travel, that be-
longs to the company, was the only
one that used to bring inbound tour-
ists to RAK from European countries.
They arrived in chartered flights,” he
states. A story that continues till date,
albeit differently, with the emirate
calling tourism a very viable industry.
“Tourists are of all kinds. And Ras Al
Khaimah beckons a lot of investors
who are looking for long-term stay
at cheaper options. With tariff at the
Alps Hotel expected to be as low as
Dh275 per night, this segment will be
greatly benefited,” he states. Also, the
hotel is located in the vicinity of the
RAKFTZ and in close proximity to the
Manar Mall – both much frequented
destinations. “Our prices will be stand-
ardised, so you don’t have to worry
about seasonal rates and rates that
depend on tourist traffic,” adds Ram.
And what will be the facilities? “Com-
fortable rooms, good services, clean
and catering to international stand-
ards, our USP is our location, that is at
the heart of the city,” he adds. As for
food, yes, there will be a restaurant
but something that offers a basic fare,
not a gourmet one, keeping the costs
affordable.
The Alps Hotel at Al Marjan islands
will again follow the same budget
hotel model.
“There too, we shall be located
in the midst of properties that are
5-star or more. We will be a budget
hotel there and so, can expect high
occupancy there,” he states. Apart
from the hotel at Al Marjan, the group
is planning a real estate project that
will managed by Swiss Hospitality
Holdings.
Yet another venture by the compa-
ny is sewage treatment for individual
villas and small homes. This is targeted
at homes that don’t have the facilities
and those that do have them but can
learn to manage sewage in a sustain-
able manner. How?
“If you install these systems, they
will undergo treatment and the water
can be reused for landscaping use
and is even fit for drinking. This is, in a
way, privatising sewage treatment,” he
states. But that work is already being
done by the municipality?
“Yes, but there is always scope for
us. When RAK started laying sewage
pipeline, four years ago, a major part
of the emirate was covered. But the
emirate has also witnessed unprec-
edented growth and we address the
sector that hasn’t been covered,” he
states.
For instance, if someone spends
19
Dh1 million in a villa, they spend
250,000 for a sewage treatment plant
– the water becomes recyclable and
can be reused. This is a permanent
solution – also it saves the cost that
you pay to buy water, pay for its
transport to the sewage treatment
plant etc. In short, it is empowering
the resident with technology that
he/she can use. “Our philosophy has
been cost-effectiveness and aimed
at giving value to the customer. Our
focus is on costs, so that we can sell
at reasonable prices. We do a lot of
value engineering,” he adds.
 Interview

The Future’s Now

The first free zone of RAK, the RAKFTZ, has successfully completed 10 years. A zone integrated into
the emirate’s fabric, enriching its population with diverse investments from across the world, now
looks forward to the future with a fresher perspective, which entails careful thought and the magic
word ‘Innovation’!

“Technology
passé. What is important is innovation,”
is

states Oussama El Omari, CEO of the RAK-

FTZ who feels that the current economic
crisis has bolstered thinking and been a
boon in disguise. The reason why he feels
2009 has been the best year ever is be-
cause it has offered establishments the op-
portunity to reassess, rethink, restrategise
and relook at policy matters, besides help-
ing reshape perceptions about business
as a whole. “The past year has separated
people who live to work from those who
work to live. We have had an opportunity
to put brakes and organise ourselves once
again, and in that way, turn our businesses
around,” he states.
According to El Omari, RAK will join the
rest of the world in getting together for
energy efficiency and discovering newer
avenues to marry development with ecol-
ogy. “Countries are working together in the
fields of new energy sources like nuclear
20 energy and cleaner environments, and
not just talking of vertical development.
It is the responsibility of larger enterprises
like ours to cater to better living condi-
tions within our businesses,” he states. And
that role, according to him, is now being
handled by small and medium enterprises,
not the larger giants in the business. “We
have many such companies in the free
zones as well as those registered with us, Oussama El Omari, CEO of the RAKFTZ
but operating in other countries address-
ing this sector. They are the new energy
companies, and -- quite like their names through our offices across the world in our concept is getting redundant with various
-- they have added a burst of energy to the satellite branches,” he states. SMEs looking out for virtual concepts for
business. These companies are registered El Omari observes that the warehouse offices. “We are prepared to adapt to the
new world economy. We are creating
alliances with service companies like Serv-
corp, mutually benefiting both enterpris-
es,” he states, adding that the traditional
ways to do business have changed, and
if we don’t innovate, it’s not possible to
move ahead. “Innovation is the future, and
RAKFTZ has that culture ingrained in its
fabric,” he adds.
Right from its inception, the zone has
been spearheading various first-time initia-
tives in the emirate. “We are the first ones
to set up business centres in Dubai, US, In-
dia, China, Turkey and Germany. Our future
markets are Brazil, Russia, India, and China,”
he adds. That way, people wanting to do
business in RAK don’t need to come all the
way here. They can register with one of our
branches there, but get full access to our
services here. It is the concept of virtual
offices. “For a lot of businessmen, the UAE
is a favoured destination because the
licences we offer have a standing in the
market. And with 10 years of experience,
we have built a solid reputation. Also, our
promotions and satellite offices across the
world have managed to bridge the gap
between businesses. You don’t have to be
actually located here to do business with
projects happening in the UAE,” he states.
But what about actual offices? “When
we started out a decade ago, we ques-
tioned ourselves, how should we do
something different? What is the vision we
need to follow and attract what we want.
HE Sheikh Faisal, who is the Chairman of
the RAKFTZ, wanted to set up offices near
the places people had businesses. So, we
created a multiple side zone that is across
the emirate and not restricted to a certain
area. For instance, a company dealing with
ports needs an office near the ports. We
diversified the sites so that people working
there save time at work – which is why we
are called the ‘Home of Business’,” he adds.
What were the initial businesses they
started at the RAKFTZ? “In the year 2000,
when we started out, the first and most
basic thing we found missing were the
service companies. For instance, if we
needed to courier something, we had to
call the courier services from Dubai. The
same happened for related services like car
rentals, auditing, logistics etc -- all of whom
had to be called from Dubai,” he states.
That is when the RAKFTZ decided to give
subsidies to service companies to establish
in RAK, so that the companies that would
come up later could avail of their services.
“Investors would come and invest in RAK
only if they were sure these services would
be taken care of,” he states.
Is there a certain model they followed
when they started the zone? “We did our
research by visiting various free zones, and
then Sheikh Faisal laid down the objectives
of the RAKFTZ, that included government
empowerment with clear and easy laws to
promote business, an enabling work envi-
ronment, good management programmes
targeted at customers, systems and
procedures, and multicultural manpower”.
Another important element is the presence
21
of nationals, because they bring in a sense
of community.
The RAKFTZ has always vouched for
a healthy multicultural community that
it addresses. “Since our zones are spread
out in different areas of RAK, people tend
to live in areas near their workplaces. That
helps them mingle with the community
and people like themselves, instead of
being insular. That has been our motto. We
are looking to create world communities
within RAK, whereby people understand
each other’s unique cultures and flourish in
a climate of mutual respect and openness.”
 Interview

Winning Streak
Since its establishment in 2005, RAKIA (Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority) has seen steady
growth and a large number of international companies setting up base in RAK. With over 6,000
onshore and off-shore licences issued by RAKIA in 2009, 2010 too promises to bring in its share of
new ventures. Dr Khater Massaad, CEO, RAKIA, talks to RAK Today about the year that was and the
years to come
What were the success sto- ment climate in RAK.
ries of the emirate in 2009? Accordingly, RAKIA has
The year 2009 was a ban- launched a new website
ner year for RAK in terms of and prepared various
investment activities. The total product brochures to
number of licences issued by reinforce our ongoing
RAKIA in 2009 crossed over information campaign
6,000 – which includes offshore across target global
licences as well. Under RAKIA’s markets. Based on the
onshore division, there were market intelligence from
876 licences issued, represent- our peers across various
ing a 28 per cent increase from EU and Asian countries,
2008. The increase in licences we are scheduling many
was attributed to the signifi- roadshows to promote
cant increase in trading and RAK to prospective
light manufacturing activities investors.
22 during the year 2009. Trad-
ing businesses increased by How many more com-
200 per cent in the year 2009 panies will have regis-
from the previous year. On tered under RAKIA by
the other hand, we have also the end of 2010 and
witnessed a growth in investors which are the major
from Europe, particularly from ones?
countries such as UK, Germany, Our latest statistics
Switzerland, France, Italy and cited above reveal that
Austria. We are optimistic that a total of 265 licences
this trend will be sustained as were issued, which is an
more investors and business all-time record as com-
organisations are becoming pared to the similar pe-
aware of the strategic advan- riod over since RAKIA’s
tages and the excellent invest- Dr Khater Massaad, CEO, RAKIA inception in the year
2005. This translates to an average of
88 licenses issued each month, which
is actually better than the monthly
average in 2009 of 73 licences. This
validates our optimistic outlook this
year wherein we target to attract more
investors by focussing on previous
untapped markets in Europe and also
emerging economies like India and Pa-
kistan. We expect a boost in the manu-
facturing licences this year as we have
already seen increase in the number
of industrial companies responding
to our promotional campaigns and
also scheduling visits to RAKIA. Some
major companies registered or at the
final stages of negotiations with RAKIA
in the past three months includes
SeAH Steel from Korea, ITW( US based,
a Fortune 200 Company), Hitachi
Engineering, Polytech Industries from
India, Orient Energy from Pakistan are
few among others. On the other hand,
trading and consultation services ap-
pear to be the most attractive catego-
ries among foreign investors and we
have accordingly prepared exciting
offerings and dedicated infrastructure
for investors in these segments.
Despite the recession, RAK con-
tinues to attract a lot of investors?
Why?
It is a combination of business-friendly
policies and world-class infrastructure
that make RAK a favourite investment
destination. We have developed fully
equipped industrial plots with all facili-
ties including a 64 MV captive power
plant combined with our value-added
services that help investors conven-
iently and quickly facilitate processes
related to building permits, visas and
other paperwork. Stability of energy
supply and other utility services and
the emirate’s highly strategic, central-
ised location have likewise made RAK
an ideal business base, particularly for
trading and manufacturing companies.
Moreover, it is much more cost-effi-
cient to invest in RAK because of the
wide range of business benefits and
packages that we have lined up for
both local and foreign investors.
The Al Hamra area is well equipped
with hotels, malls and the requisite
infrastructure, what have you
planned for the Al Ghail area that
only has industries?
The Al Hamra development started
with the industrial activities initi-
ated by Sheikh Saud by starting RAK
Ceramics in a modest way 19 years
ago. Today, it is the largest producer
of ceramic tiles in the world. This was
followed by the formation of RAKIA.
Many large international companies
were attracted and they are now
active and producing goods that are
exported all over the world. The Al
Ghail area will likewise be expanded to
offer a wider range of commercial, resi-
dential and industrial amenities which
is part of the emirate’s long-term
development strategy. In fact, we have
recently installed a 64 MW captive
power plant at the Al Ghail Industrial
Park, that will enable us to cater to
the expected increase in demand for
power as investors and developers
commence work on various projects.
RAK has been aggressively promot-
ing tourism. Do you see its infra-
structure further improving, to be
in tune with its tourism policy?
Tourism is one of the emirate’s top
non-oil revenue resources and we are
currently expanding our tourism infra-
structure as we expect tourist footfall
in RAK to increase form 500,000 to
around 2.5 million by 2013.Up to $10
billion in investment is allocated to
various theme parks, resorts, hill sta-
tions and five and seven-star hotels
- that will be implemented in the next
few years. At the moment, our total
hotel capacity is around 1,800 hotel
rooms, with an average occupancy
rate of 90 per cent which will be
significantly increased by up to 3,700
new rooms in the next few years.
In line with the expected increase
in the number of tourists and resi-
dents, the emirate is also building a
wide array of apartments, commercial
complexes, marinas, and golf courses
and other sports facilities, world-class
restaurants and shopping malls, to
cater to the expanding needs of soci-
ety. Another key growth area that we
are focussing is ongoing infrastruc-
ture and real estate projects being
undertaken are part of a long-term
plan to establish RAK as a popular
destination for tourists and business
visitors alike. The RAK Government
is also planning to build a hill resort
that will be located 1,800 metres
above the sea level in the peak called
Jebel Jais. The infrastructure works
are under progress and almost 80
per cent of the access road has been
completed.
What is the core strength of RA-
KIA’s philosophy that has helped it
sail through the economic crisis?
Keeping investors happy is the key.
RAK has focussed on establishing a
genuinely investor-friendly climate
and this has helped the emirate
maintain its economic stability
through the constant influx of local
23
and foreign investments. As you can
see, the emirate’s business-friendly
policies have contributed significantly
in accelerating the growth of non-oil
industries and sustained the gov-
ernment’s economic diversification
programme. As mentioned earlier,
we issued the most number of busi-
ness licences in 2009, and at a time
when other economies were facing
difficulties, we were attracting local
and foreign investors. This clearly
shows the success of RAKIA’s growth
strategy and its impact on the socio-
economic standing of the emirate.
 Industry

Bond of Trust
Thirtyfive years old and raring to continue, the first
cement company in the UAE, Union Cement Company is
now planning to expand their export base to East Africa,
West Africa and India. Mustafa Gorgunel, Marketing
Manager, UCC speaks to RAK Today about the journey so
far, and future plans.
Who are the investors of UCC and how uted to add up the company’s grinding now trying to improve our exports to East
much market share does it own in the capacity to 4.27 million tonnes per annum and West African markets, as well as India.
UAE’s cement industry? and this made UCC the biggest cement
The RAK Government’s stake is 40.8%, manufacturer in the UAE. UCC obtained What is the USP of Union Cement?
Sheikh Khaled bin Abdullah Al Qasimi its ISO 9000 certification in 1994 as the In addition to the consistent production
owns 22.5%, Abu Dhabi Investment first cement manufacturer in the Middle quality, we have a wide range of products,
Authority, 20.4%, Salem Abdullah Salem East. In 1980, UCC added API Spec Q1 such as Ordinary Portland Cement, High,
Al Hosani another 4.0% . The domestic certification and in 2000, added ISO 14001 Moderate and Low Sulphate Resisting
market share today is about 15%. certification in line with its dedication to Cement and Oil-Well Cement, that is a
the environment. competitive edge for UCC. Also, owning
What are the advantages of being its own bulk tanker fleet helps UCC to be
the first cement company in the UAE, What was your original capacity and able to deliver the cement to its customers
celebrating 35 years? what is your current one? How much whenever needed.
UCC is not only the first cement company have you invested in technology to
in the UAE, it is also the first cement manu- bring about this change? Do your CSR activities address
facturer to have obtained the ISO and API The first and second production lines had environmental needs, how?
certificates in the Middle East. The most production capacity of 250 tonnes per day We have a slew of activities that include
important advantage UCC has is being “the (tpd) each. Line 3’s production capacity is summer activities, participating in Holy
24 Symbol of Quality”. 1,500 tpd and it was put in production in Qur’an recitals, training students from the
1979. Line 4’s production capacity is 10,000 Higher College for Technology and Institute
What have been the highlights of the tpd and was commissioned in December of Technology, Ramadan Activities like
company in the last three decades? 2006. Hence total production capacity supplying iftar and suhour food for the em-
The production commenced with the first of UCC equals 4.25mt/year. To make an ployees, financial support to Environmental
line in 1975 under the management of additional point, Line 4 expansion was es- Authority (Dh3 M/year), donation to local
“Norcem A.S.”, a member of HeidelbergCe- pecially big and its basic investment value schools, providing drinking water to the
ment Group. The second line started in was about Dh830 million. mosques in the Khor Khwair area, cement
1977 followed by the third one in 1979. donations to the local people etc.
In 2006, UCC commissioned its milestone Which are your client countries and Union Cement is currently launching its
“Plant 4”, a 10,000 tonne per day clinker how are you planning to expand your ambitious project “UCC Goes Green”. The
production kiln that increased the clinker customer base? project reflects the new company vision.
production capacity of UCC from 1.2 to UCC is not making big volume of exports The project includes many environmentally
4.25 million tonnes per annum. Moreover; yet. Sudan, Qatar, Iraq, Pakistan, Yemen and conscious programmes that will enable us
in 2007 cement mills 5 & 6 also contrib- Iran can be listed as export markets. We are to declare our operations as “Green”.
 Community
Home and Work
Hidden between various industrial units at Al Ghayl is the Pioneer Cement Colony - a refreshing oasis
of simplicity and peacefulness
In the Al Ghayl industrial zone, where
nearly all roads lead to industries
and manufacturing units, a road near the
Pioneer Cement plant (a one million tonne
per annum capacity plant that is a joint
venture between RAKIA and the Indian
company - Penna Cement Industries
Limited.) leads homewards. The Pioneer
Cement Colony, situated right next to the
cement plant surprises you with its quaint-
ness, its Andhra canteen serving some
truly delicious food, its well-equipped
facilities that include a gym, an indoor
tennis court, a library, a cinema room,
a Sahaj yoga centre etc. What is
striking is the care with which it is
26 all put together by its self-effacing
Financial Controller and Secretary
Pioneer Cement, Hareesh Babu.
“It is a norm in India where
you see cement companies
located in far-flung areas, near
the limestone quarries. The family
accommodation is usually given
nearby because attention to the
factory needs to be 100 per cent.
Here too, we have followed the
same model. We are 75km away
from the main town, and Masafi is about
15-20km away,” he states. The township
is home to some 100 staff members and
their families, mainly from India, but there
are Bangladeshis, Jordanians and Pakistanis
too.
Hareesh Babu came to the Al Ghayl area
to set up the plant, when the entire place
was just a point in the map between the
deserts and the mountains. “We were the
first factory to start in this zone in 2004.
There was nothing here, except sand and
we constructed some cabins to start our
work,” he says. Soon, they created kachcha
roads and requested FEWA for electric-
ity and got temporary power from the Al
Dhaid station nearby, and in a year and
three months time, lines became regular.
“We have common celebrations in our
colony. Most women here are home-
makers and there are facilities galore.
Our Sahaj yoga lessons are free, we have
vehicles that pick up and drop children to
school in RAK, our vehicles take our colony
members to Dubai or on shopping trips,
our canteens serve food at nominal costs,
we even have a film club and a recreation
club, and a reading room where we gather
together to watch films – we are a small
community,” he states. Rent, electricity and
water is free for colony residents and since
it is located next to the factory, there is no
transportation cost. Last year, the colony
produced 400kg of dates from its home
grown date palms – that were distrib-
uted among its residents.
Babu states that the demand for
cement has dropped because of the
current delay in real estate projects
and some cancellations but is glad
that the RAK projects are doing well.”
“We have acquired mines in Geor-
gia and next year, Pioneer Cement
will start production there too,” he
states, adding that in his home state
of Andhra Pradesh in India, Penna
Cement and RAKIA are partners in an
upcoming aluminium plant project
called ANRAK at Vishakapatnam. RAKIA is
an overseas partner in the project that cost
one billion dollars.
 Entertainment

Icing the Desert

The world’s largest man-made waterfall and rain dance pool, innovative first-time concepts like aqua
soccer and snorkelling experience in a man-made coral reef with live fish, endless rides for children
and adults -- the upcoming Ice Land Water Park, a part of WOW RAK -- promises to transform the
sweltering heat of the desert with its ice-themed entertainment

“Can you get people outside their

homes to come to the park
in this weather?” asked HH Sheikh Saud bin
Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and
Deputy Ruler of RAK, to Balwant
Singh, Managing Director, Polo
RAK Amusements LLC. It was the
1st of July 2005, with tempera-
tures soaring over 40 degrees
Celsius, and Singh replied in the
affirmative. Known in India as a
theme park guru, his group, under
the brand name of Fun and Food
Village, has successfully estab-
lished and is running entertain-
ment parks in Delhi and Nagpur
in India, and in Uzbekistan. Balwant Singh
But how did he arrive in RAK?
“We came as consultants to a theme park
that was already being planned. Feasibil-
ity studies had already been laid down
by a British company and we were asked
to relook on it. The older version was
well-planned, but not at all suited to this
weather,” states Singh, whose team drew
up a new plan that took into account the
preferences of the people of UAE (compris-
ing over 170 nationalities), local customs,
habits and culture as a whole, incorporat-
ing them in the design. “For instance, in
our waterfall area, swimming suits are not
mandatory. People can enjoy the experi-
ence even in their abayas,” he states.
Sheikh Saud himself suggested the
name of the park, and since then, it has
Santokh Chawla
been called WOW RAK. Truly so, it is RAK’s
latest wow factor. It has the world’s largest
man-made waterfall (for RAK residents,
this is what you’ll see on the other side of
the white and blue mountain range that
is visible from the main road at Al Hamra).
It will have the world’s largest rain dance
turf for 4,000 people, a huge area for aqua
soccer that will give you an experience of
playing soccer in the rain, a man-made
coral reef with live fish that can help you
go snorkelling in a temperature controlled
under sea-like environment, 39 water slides,
several rides for children and adults, a food
court etc. It has a capacity of 10,000 people
per day and an overflow capacity of 15,000
people per day. All its walking areas are
covered with synthetic turf
to cushion people, even if
they fall. Also, in the kid’s
area, most of the equip-
ment used has rounded
edges to avoid scratches
and other accidents.
The entire theme park
is divided into the water
park, the dry guides (with
rides and entertainment
zones), a shopping mall
-- with souvenir shops,
indoor games (half of the
mall’s area), a 4D theatre,
27
ice-skating rink, a bowling alley, a multiplex
with three screens, an amphitheatre, a
resort, and a hotel. “Our shopping areas,
located near the shopping mall, are made
in such a way that you walk for just about
75 metres to get into the mall entrance.
Our ticketing areas too are air-conditioned,”
he adds.
“People will be spoilt for choice here.
We are not selling a product here, we are
selling happiness. We will more than justify
what you pay for,” states Santokh Chawla, Jt
Managing Director, Polo RAK Amusements.
And that, sums it all!
 Real Estate
Real Victories
Property projects are going ahead in RAK, despite the economic slowdown in UAE
At a time when the term ‘real estate’ in
the UAE is not always accompanied
by pleasant sounding adjectives, RAK has
reasons to flout the rule. A number of real
estate projects are being planned, built,
handed over and completed in the emir-
ate. This includes developments at the Al
Hamra Village, RAKEEN’s Al Marjan islands,
(as well as the Banyan Tree, Al Wadi, that
recently opened its spa), RAK Properties’
Mina Al Arab development, Polo RAK
28
Amusement’s WOW RAK theme park at the
Jazeerat Al Hamra area, the new Radisson
Hotel at the Al Nakheel area that is being
built, Emke’s group’s sprawling RAK Mall,
Hilton’s service apartments, the Alps Hotel
– a project by Union Group, the Maritime
City … the list reads long.
Perhaps, Mohammed Sultan Al Qadi,
Chief Executive of RAK Properties, the UAE’s
sixth largest listed developer puts it suc-
cinctly. “We have seen a light at the end of
the tunnel and are optimistic that this year
will be better financially than 2009,” he
says. The company’s project - Julfar Towers,
one of the tallest structures in RAK, located
near the waterfront, on the way to Manar
Mall worth $136.1 million will be delivered
this year. “A 150 million dirham phase
of the Mina Al Arab project will also be
handed over in the second quarter of this
year, he adds. Mina Al Arab is a residential,
retail and tourism development that will
occupy 2.8 sq metre area and spread along
a 9-km stretch of beach. About 94 of its
villas have been handed, leaving the 213
that too will be handed out soon.
The year shall also see developments
at RAKEEN’s Al Marjan Island, the first man-
made island in Ras Al Khaimah, extending
4.5 kms into the sea, with its first develop-
ment - the mixed-use project Bab Al Bahr,
located on the peninsula of the island,
therefore called ‘The Gateway to Island
Living’. The Dh1 billion project shall have
six residential buildings, uniquely shaped
in the form of pyramids, and are scheduled
for handover in August 2010 of the project
that will also have a hotel, a shopping mall
and an office tower. The other islands in
its vicinity expected to be completed next
year are Marbella Bay, (inspired by the
architectural style of the historic Spanish
region of Andalusia) and Pacific that will
have luxurious private beaches, con-
temporary residences within a verdantly
landscaped beachfront community.
Recently, the Al Hamra Mall was inaugu-
rated by Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al
Qasimi, son of H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al
Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of
Ras Al Khaimah. The mall houses over 200
retail outlets apart from food court offering
a diverse range of international cuisine
and children’s play area. Set amid the Al
Hamra Village development, the mall
that has shopping, entertainment, dining
and recreational options is sprawled over
300,000 square feet spread over two floors
and involves an investment of Dh265m.
Dr. Ayoob Alfaraj, General Manager of
Al Hamra Real Estate Development LLC,
which owns and operates the mall, aims
to provide an enriched shopping experi-
ence catering to the demands of the multi
cultural population visiting the mall. “About
95% of the shopping mall has been leased
out and to attract more, we have a range
of festivities and promotions including a
Brazilian Samba carnival for the first time in
the UAE,” he says.
The Iceland Water Park, part of the
WOW RAK Themes Park from Polo Consult-
ing Services in India is set to come up near
the Mina Al Arab development. Sanjeev
Ahluwalia, CEO, Polo RAK Consulting states
that the park will be built in three separate
phases – the first will be the opening of
the Iceland Water Park that will have sev-
eral features like the region’s highest man
made waterfall, soccer in the rain experi-
ence among others. The second phase will
have a shopping mall and the third phase
will have an amusement park.
Perhaps the most awaited develop-
ment of all is the Palace Hotel at RAK. Sec-
ond only to the Burj Al Arab, the 400-room
luxury hotel will be built in the Al Jazeerah
29
Al Hamra area along the RAK coastline at
 an estimated cost of Dh300 million. The
new hotel is expected to redefine the
concept of luxury and will enhance the
tourism appeal of the emirate in a big way.
Designed by renowned Italian architect,
Maurizio Papiri, the project combines the
distinctive splendour and opulence of
traditional Arabic architecture and the slick
sophistication to meet modern day needs.
30
The 7-star hotel will be completed by the
end of 2010.
During a media briefing Dr. Khater
Massaad, CEO RAKIA and Advisor to the
RAK Crown Prince, said that the project is
designed to be a `dream hotel’, which will
be unique in several aspects. ‘It will have
600 metres of stunning beachside and all
the rooms will be overlooking either the
azure of the sea or the 18-hole international
golf course to be built near the site’, he said.
The hotel is built on a ground floor area of
15,000 sq. metres with a total built-up area
exceeding 130,000 sq. metres. It will have
22 floors and the total
height is set at 116
metres. The minimum
room size in the hotel
will be 72 sq. metres.
The hotel will also
have three royal suites
and 20 executive
suites.
Architect Mau-
rizio Papiri, who has
designed architectural
landmarks like Grand
Hotel, Rome, said that
the Al Hamra Palace
will reflect the rich-
ness and grandeur of Arabian and Islamic
Architecture. The presence of an imposing
tower in the centre of the hotel and two
domes on either side are the focal points of
the hotel design. One of the
domes will house a world
class conference hall with a
capacity to accommodate
1,000 people while the
other will have an 800-seat
wedding hall. The hotel will
have ultra-modern facilities
including five restaurants,
a shopping arcade hous-
ing outlets of international
brands, all located on the
ground floor designed in an-
cient archway architecture.
It will also have a number of
health clubs, a spa, business
centre and swimming pools.
Luxury at Work
The RAK Business Square at the Amenity Centre adds a high-end panache to the Al Hamra free zone
In an industrial area like Al Hamra Free
Zone, that is full of manufacturing
units, the Business Square adds a touch
of luxury to the landscape. Located on
the 12th floor of what is called the twin
tower of RAK, also known as the Amenity
Centre, the RAK Business Square is a swanky
business centre that provides a complete
range of products and services that include
executive suites, fully staffed office spaces,
flexi-desks, virtual offices, conference rooms
and VIP lounges to all RAKIA companies.
With another office in Switzerland, the two
offices, between themselves provide clients
with prestigious corporate addresses, expe-
rienced professional staff and state-of-the-
art office technology.
At its helm is its young CEO, Shahab Izad-
panah TEP, who came to RAK in 2007 and
was part of the launch of RAK Offshore as its
registered agent. “My association with RAKIA
has been extremely fruitful. We opened the
Business Square in November 2009, and
since then, the response has been very
favourable,” he states. The tastefully deco-
rated Business Square is a high-end service
provider that is already catering to a host of
financial institutions, legal consultancy firms,
large general trading corporations, corpo-
rate service providers and offers onshore
and offshore RAKIA licences to them.
To reach to the Business Square from
Dubai, you have to follow Exit 119 from the
Emirates Road that leads to the Al Hamra
Industrial Park. As you near the road that
meets the old highway that leads to Umm
Al Quwain, the twin towers of the Amenity
Centre fall to your right.
“An important aspect of the Business
Square is that companies who have licences
from Economic Department can lease
offices in the Amenity Centre as well. The
area will soon have a police station for finger
prints, a hospital for medical test, etc, which
will make the visa process much easier for
investors,” states Shahab. According to him,
this is the new Ras Al Khiamah that is being
developed. “With all the real estate develop-
ments completed, it will be an industrial and
business hub filled with lifestyle areas as well
as high end housing colonies,” he adds.
The Business Centre also advocates the
concept of virtual offices where clients can
avail the services of a prestigious address
and full services without the cost of renting
Shahab Izadpanah TEP
a workspace. For start up companies and
multinationals wishing to test the market, more etc. The Business Square also has a
the Flexi Desk offers a perfect solution – at well-equipped conference room, a VIP Busi-
a cost of Dh4990 per year giving you a ness Lounge that also serves refreshments.
two-hour access every day. You’d have your “We haven’t seen the crisis in this busi-
own telephone number, PO Box, one shared ness,” states Shahab who feels that the Al
workstation, access to copy centre, a private Hamra Industrial Zone under RAKIA is slated
email ID, fax, plus electricity, water, AC, clean- to grow fast. “Companies opening their base
here can outsource from here. We expect
31
ing services and parking facilities. Then, there
is the executive office for those wanting a more industrial groups coming to this zone.”
permanent cost-effective office within the Plans are on to add to the current services
UAE, a private desk space that you can rent provided by the centre. “You could call us
for a period of a day or three months and boutique service providers catering to high
end customers. For instance, following
our specialised services, companies
can hire a dedicated account manager
who will manage their account with
clients. We are planning to start a family
service too,” he adds. The VIP Lounge - a
beautifully designed facility - has its own
membership, that consists of people,
who are not registered with the Business
Square.
 Product watch

Nordic
D esigned by Dominique et Alain Vavro, the fluid and
compact lines of the new Nordic collection are
mostly inspired by Scandinavian design of the sixties,
which matches the quality of RAK Porcelain, a crucial
partner of the hotel and catering industry. The combina-
tion of timelessness and functionality offers to profession-
als a huge liberty in gastronomic creation. The exception
variants of the Nordic collection allows venturous and
32 inventive presentations.
 Hospitality

Alluringly
Acacia
What makes a business hotel like Acacia so popular in RAK – that already has a host of high-end properties,
beach clubs and resorts dotting its landscape? Sean Halliday, GM of Acacia Hotel, spills the beans

The very first hotel to greet you, as

you enter RAK from Exit 119
from the Emirates Road, Acacia Hotel is
away, the moun-
tains are 10 minutes
away, the desert is
the emirate’s newest destination. Go- in our backyard – in
ing by the hotel’s current promotion for little or no time, the
non-corporate customers, it will cost you a tourist can avail of a
mere Dh299 per night, including breakfast host of our facilities,”
for a single or a double room. Customers he adds. “RAK is still
booked into Acacia, can avail the private a place that people
beach of the Al Hamra Fort Hotel and a from the emirates
free pick-up and drop to the facility. and outside are
Part of the Hamra Hotels and Resorts, discovering, so that
a leading hotel developer and operator is our advantage.
in the region, Acacia Hotel was cre- Also, our pricing,” he
ated as a business hotel essentially but states. For corporate
addresses all types of customers. The clients who sign an
hotel that has two towers consist of 216 agreement with the
rooms, 42 Junior Suites ideal for travelling hotel, the cost of a
executives, 11 one-bedroom suites for the single room is Dh200/night plus breakfast
long-stay guest, and 103 apartments that and Dh250 for a double room. About 50-55
are housed in an entire wing comprising corporate companies have signed up with
one-bedroom apartments with a fully the hotel that includes people from the
equipped kitchenette. The hotel has the free zones and outside.
Waves Bar, Oxygen Gym, O-Zone Spa, Al “We are yet to prove ourselves, but are
Nakhla Restaurant, Flamingo Bar, Tides confident of our services. Previously, peo-
Pool Bar, Club Acacia and Meeting Centre ple didn’t have too many budget options
etc. with our quality standards in RAK. Now,
Sean Halliday, General Manager of they have us. We have very high standards
Acacia Hotel, Hamra Hotels & Resorts, with with attributes like integrity and honesty
over two decades of experience in ‘unused ingrained into our system,” adds Sean, who
destinations’ ( Vietnam, Baku – Azerbaijan) believes that trust is the best investment
apart from the Savoy- London, Dubai, that gains people’s respect.
Phuket etc, finds in RAK an ideal environ- He has planned several activities to
ment that will bring in tourism. “We are bring in more tourists and make it popular
located aptly. The beach is five minutes among the community. “We are working
with the hotel booking
agents to award them
redeemable points for
every booking at our
hotel,” he states. Plans
are on to start a film club
in the hotel premises,
as well.
Ask him what is the
wealth of experience
he brings to Acacia and
he states, “RAK is not a
finished product, it is a
growing emirate which
is why there is drive and
determination to get
things done,” he states.
Sean has a wide range
of experience in the hospitality industry
that includes working across all its sectors
including being in the kitchen, a barman,
33
stewarding – etc, so, knows the function
of each department really well. His train-
ing on his staff shows. They are cheerful,
warm, hospitable and friendly. “We respect
our staff and their time and take good
care of them well. We ensure they are not
overworked, take their days off and be
there for them – and then, they function
really well,” he adds.
Cost-efficiency has been one compel-
ling reason for investors to set base in RAK.
Now, with the opening of the Acacia Hotel,
tourists, businessmen or weekend travel-
lers to RAK have one more excuse.
 Utilities
Powered Up!
Electro RAK- a world-class MEP solutions provider…in a league of its own!
Electro RAK LLC, part of the
globally renowned
RAK Ceramics Group, is a leading provider
of end-to-end Mechanical, Electrical, and
Plumbing (MEP), civil contracting and in-
frastructural engineering services covering
complex to medium industrial, commercial,
34 residential and tourism projects. The com-
pany is a licensed FEWA contractor having
achieved an ‘A’ grade certification for low
voltage and high voltage installations with
the distinction of qualitative completion of
several high-tech projects under its belt.
Electro RAK is the contractor of choice in
the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, as is evident
from its diverse order book. From humble
beginnings in 2006, the company has
achieved astonishing growth within a short
period, adding three companies viz. Encom
Trading LLC, Emirates Heavy Engineering
LLC and RAK Industries LLC to its portfolio.
These new companies cater to industries as
diverse as fabrication of HVAC ducts, electri-
cal switchgear assembly, design of power
plants, infrastructural engineering as well
as engineering, construction and industrial
materials supply. “Keeping in line with the
company’s vision of continued growth and
diversification, the company has opened
branches in the emirates of Fujairah and
Abu Dhabi”, says Zakkir Hussain, the Manag-
ing Director of Electro RAK. He attributes
the company’s glorious feats to Dr. Khater
Massaad, Chairman of Electro RAK, who has
been a visionary and a pillar of strength for
the company since its early days.
The company primarily focuses its
activities in the Ras Al Khaimah market,
but has spread its wings to other emirates
increasing its share of the revenue pie.
Power distribution and network installation
have been the company’s operational forte.
The company has successfully installed
two power generation plants in the RAKIA
free zones: The 45 megawatt power plant
in the Al Hamra Al Jazeera industrial area
and the 84 megawatt power plant in the
Al Ghail Industrial park. “Also, we have suc-
cessfully erected a 3 MIGD Sea Water RO
plant for SEWA”, Mr. Hussain confirmed.
The company’s ongoing projects in
RAK include projects at Mina Al Arab – a
leisure and holiday beach resort, Bab
Al Bahr - residential apartments in the
coral shaped Al Marjan Island and the
Royal Breeze apartments in Al Hamra
Village. Towards the emirate of Fujairah,
the company is engaged in the Mina Al
Fajer development - a project involving
a combination of residential apartments
and villas, the highrise Rotana Suites and
modification of the Fujairah Tower in the
heart of the city. “The company is presently
studying the feasibility of expanding its
operations to the Asian and European
markets”, concludes Hussain.
 Glimpses

Landscape of Beauty

36
Victor Balan, our pilot from the Al
Nakheel flying strip, took us
in an hour-long helicopter ride over Ras Al
Khaimah – in a trip organised by the RAKIA
office. We started off flying towards the Al
Hamra development, on the way, startling
a group of seven flamingoes in flight. The
aqua marine waters of the Arabian Gulf mes-
merised us, so did the beautiful develop-
ments along RAK’s coast – the Cove Rotana
especially looks lovely from the sky, with
its beach villas and their private swimming
pools, the rows and rows of bungalows at
the Al Hamra development as well as the
much awaited Palace Hotel there. We then
flew over the RAK Ceramics unit and the en-
tire Al Hamra free zone till we reached the T
junction at the fag end of the Emirates Road.
We flew over the road we usually ride on,
to reach the scenic Tower Links Golf Course
and then headed towards the best part of
the tour, the date palm plantations and the
Hajjar Mountains. While the red sands have
a shock of green date palms in one area –
that makes it very alluring, the mass of rock
and limestone that towers regally over the
emirate is dotted with abandoned villages
and scattered with dwelling spaces. The
rocky mountains looked like giant sculptures
that had been engraved by nature’s own
hand. We then returned back to base but
not before flying over the beautiful New
Hilton Beach Hotel and Spa, truly drenched
by the natural beauty of the emirate that has
only been enhanced by its various aesthetic
projects. What a trip it was!
37
 Mantra of Success

Never ever give up!

“Try to master what you know instead of being swayed by
trends that come and go. Keep a cool mind, delegate work and
fill passion and dedication to your work sphere.You’ll certainly
chart out a blueprint for success,” says Rizwan Sajan, Chairman
of Danube, one of UAE’s most dynamic enterprises
Manju Ramanan

In the world of brand recall and value,

colours play an important role
in memory. As you turn right from the
T-junction at the RAK-end of the Emirates
Road, you cannot miss a bright red Dan-
ube sign on your right. The UAE building
materials brand that has its headquarters
at the Jebel Ali Free Zone has been in RAK
for a year now and doing well.
38 “RAK was a natural choice of venue
for our expansion plans, but space was a
problem when we started out,” says Rizwan
Sajan, Chairman of Danube, the building
materials company that started out 17
years ago, from a small shop at Deira that,
today, has 21 branches all across the emir-
ates as well as in Muscat. “A chance meet-
ing with Sheikh Omar bin Saqr Al Qasimi,
Chairman of RAK Bank, sorted out the issue
of land, and he wholeheartedly supported
our venture,” says Sajan.
The RAK branch has Buildmart, the
retail section of Danube targeting regular
customers as well as Danube Building
Materials, largely targeted towards
the contractors, carpenters and
joineries. “RAK has its own real es-
tate projects plus a retail climate.
The opening of the Danube store
caters to that market and the
store has done better than our
expectations,” he states. Rizwan Sajan
What about competition? RAK already
is home to some world-class brands,
blocks, tiles etc. “Yes, we enhance the exist-
ing products. At Buildmart, which is a one-
stop destination for individuals trying to
build a home, we have everything under
the same roof. RAK Ceramics is a marked
presence at our store and we add value to
their products,” he adds. The store sources
good quality products from all over the
world, including Italy and China, and gives
customers the choice ranging from the
highest to the lowest budget category. It
also offers after-sales service and advice on
interior design.
Sajan’s own story has inspired several
entrepreneurs in the region. At 18 years
of age, he arrived in Kuwait from Mumbai,
still recovering from the tragic death of a
beloved father, to join his uncle in his busi-
ness of building materials. After 10 years
of being in the business, when Kuwait
was invaded, he had to return to Mumbai,
and then he came to the UAE to work for
a company to gain experience. “When
I came to Dubai, the building materials
industry was a competitive market. We
sent a lot of material to Kuwait as the inva-
sion had created a need for our industry,”
he states.
After gaining experience in the
industry, he started Danube in a small
warehouse in Sharjah and then moved Ask him what the USP of the Dan- states. Confident that the UAE will bounce
to a small shop in Deira. “We had very ube brand is and he credits it all to his back to normal in no time, he has only
little space to stack our goods, and often, workforce. words of praise for the country and its able
the balcony of the flat doubled up as a “When we do business, each of our leadership. “Whenever I travel across the
storehouse. For transporting our goods, we clients feels at home, as it has always world for business, I return and love the
used handcarts,” he reminisces. Ten years been a very special one-on-one ideology. country even more. The atmosphere of
ago, he started the Danube branch at the We have been successful as the entire doing business is simplified here. There are
Jebel Ali Free Zone. “We are lucky to have treatment one gets is like a family. Our no hiccups to start work, visa problems are
got a great location, close to the main customers, suppliers, employees, agents sorted out and things work smoothly,” he
road,” he states. Truly so, the Danube sign and distributors remain valued members adds with a smile.
is evident at exit number 4 and is in close of this expanding relationship,” he adds. When there is insurmountable will,
proximity to the Sheikh Zayed Road. After What about the recession that has pathways to success emerge automati-
the Jebel Ali branch was opened, Danube hit the construction sector really hard? cally…….
opened several other branches in places Doesn’t he see
like Abu Dhabi and Muscat. Today, there his own com-
are 21 branches of Danube stores across pany suffering a
the emirates, and now they are planning a backlash? Sajan
spate of stores in India and Saudi Arabia. has an interest-
Ask him what keeps him going despite ing take on it.
trials and tribulations coming his way, and “People com-
he says it all happens if you keep a cool pare the current
mind. “If you take stress, stress will take a economic
toll on you. You need to keep cool to han- crisis and find it
dle problems. Try to master what you know turning worse
and delegate work. Even if you fail, work because they
hard with dedication and passion and you are comparing
will be closer to success,” he states. it to the boom
A fact that you can see embodied in of 2008. If you
Danube. From a two-person team to a look around,
whopping 350-strong employee empire. you can still see
39
The group has a presence in Jebel Ali, a lot of cranes
Deira, Salahadin, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, RAK at work at con-
and Muscat. With an extensive customer struction sites in
base in the GCC, Asia and Africa, Dan- several places.
ube has grown from a small trading firm The malls are
in 1993 to one of the largest building full of people
materials companies in the region. With a too. It will be
wide geographical stretch and a talented wise to com-
workforce, Danube has been part of Emaar pare the current
projects like Emirates Hills, the Burj Al Arab, situation with
the Shangri La and the Grand Hyatt hotels, the years 2006
a private palace in Muscat, young Emirati and 2007
couples creating a dream home, and a instead of the
wide range of over 10,000 products. year 2008,” he
 Education
Honorary doctorate for Sheikh Saud
HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi,
Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler
of Ras Al Khaimah, received an honorary
doctorate from the University of Bolton at
the first degree congregation ceremony
held for the University of Bolton- Ras Al
Khaimah campus.
40 The honorary doctorate was conferred
from University of Bolton’s Chancellor, The
Rt Hon. Baroness Morris of Bolton, OBE,
DL, at a function held at the Hilton Ras
Al Khaimah Resort and Spa. The `Doctor
of the University’ degree was awarded to
Sheikh Saud in recognition of his services
to education.
In his acceptance speech, Sheikh Saud
stressed the vital significance of education
in determining the country’s progress,
“Knowledge is the cornerstone of any soci-
ety. It is a vehicle by which we can master
our destiny and overcome our challenges,
a vehicle by which we can invent solutions
to our problems and turn them into op-
portunities.”
Sheikh Saud said that UAE as a country
has undergone a meteoric change in the
last forty years. “Four decades back, we
were looking for someone who could just
read and write Arabic. Now, as we look
around, we can see people from all over
the world come here to get educated,
for treatment, to invest and as tourists to
spend the best times of their lives.”
“In the globalised age of today, the
international dimension of our lives has
come to stay. Those of us who want to be
relevant and successful have to understand
the nature of change and adapt to it.”
As many as 25 undergraduate students
received their Bachelor’s degrees in Busi-
ness Management, and approximately 30
post-graduate students received certifi-
cates or diplomas from the university’s
Vice Chancellor, Dr. George Holmes at the
function.
The event marked the graduation of
the first cohort of students from Univer-
sity of Bolton’s first international campus,
which is also the first and only British
university operating in RAK under the RAK
Free Trade Zone umbrella.
Also in attendance were various
dignitaries, including H.E Edward Oakden,
British Ambassador to the UAE, H.E. Sheikh
Faisal bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of the
RAK Free Trade Zone and RAK Finance
Department, Sheikh Mohammed bin
Saud Al Qasimi, other sheikhs, heads of
government departments, students and
members of the British Council and British
Embassy.
The University of Bolton- RAK Campus
currently has 300 students registered in a
range of programmes, including Busi-
ness, Computing, Engineering, Electronics
and Supply Chain, all of which follow the

control, assessment and curriculum of
the university’s UK centre. All progression
and awards are conferred by the same UK
examination boards assessing University
of Bolton students in the UK. Therefore,
the University is able to award a UK degree
to RAK campus students.
Zubair Hanslot, Academic Director
of the RAK Campus, is supported by the
University’s International Campus learning
Unit, based at the UK campus. The Unit
provides support to ensure quality control
over procedures and processes. “The
internationalisation agenda is providing
global opportunities to many communi-
ties who otherwise would not be able to
access UK education. It is also a mecha-
nism by which the university reflects on its
teaching and learning strategies and the
manner in which the academic curriculum
is put into practice,” Hanslot said.
Nanotechnology for Energy
The emirate has commenced the
construction of a sophisticated research
facility for Advanced Materials under the
banner of Ras Al Khaimah Centre for Ad-
vanced Materials (RAK- CAM). Sheikh Saud
made the announcement while delivering
the keynote address at the 2nd Annual
International Workshop on Advanced
Materials (IWAM- 2010) held at the Hilton
Ras Al Khaimah Resort and Spa. “The
construction of our dedicated RAK- CAM
building, with more than 10,000 square
meter of laboratory and office space, has
just begun at a site close to the Emirates
Road. By early 2011, the facility will be
equipped with state- of- the- art equip-
ment such as electron microscopes, x-ray
diffractometers, optical spectrometers,
and so on,” he states.
“RAK-CAM will play a number of roles
as its programmes develop over the next
five years, including the pursuit of world
class scientific research here in RAK,
providing facilities and support for local
industries, and offering training and edu-
cational opportunities for young people
in the community who are interested in
science,” he added.
Stressing the need for the Arab world
and the region to focus more on scientific
research, Sheikh Saud said, “Apart from
developing education, we must invest
in research that will propel us to a new
era. The Arab world and this region must
go into overdrive to keep up with those
around and to overcome our problems
and create new opportunities for wealth
and prosperity.”
He said that the different applications
of materials science and nanotechnol-
ogy offered great hope for mankind to
solve its energy challenges and to create
sustainable solutions for the future. The
three- day workshop with
the theme `Enabling New
Technologies for Energy
and Environmental Appli-
cation through Nano-
materials’ held under the
patronage of H.H. Sheikh
Saud was attended by
the world’s leading mate-
rials scientists and around
130 researchers from 30
countries.
Prof. M. Samy El Shall,
Director of RAK- CAM,
said that the major re-
search focus at RAK-CAM
facility would be solar
energy, environmental
catalysis, advanced
ceramic materials and
renewable energy.
“Once fully developed, the RAK- CAM
campus will be home to 70- 80 people
including 40 researchers from across
the globe. So far RAK- CAM has offered
six Sheikh Saqr Al Qasimi post doctoral
fellowships for researchers undertaking
materials science research in world’s lead-
ing universities. We hope to increase the
number of fellowships this year,” El Shall
added.
As part of RAK CAM’s education and
training initiative, it will be organising later
this year a four- day advanced studies pro-
gramme dealing with `Next Generation
Solar Cells’ and `Nano Catalysis for Energy
Applications’.
Prof. Anthony K Cheetham, Chairman
of the Scientific Advisory Board of RAK-
41
CAM, Dr. Hans Ulrich Habermeier, Head
of Scientific Service Group, Max Planck
Institute of Solid State Research, Germany,
Prof. A. Welford Castleman Jr from the
Pennsylvania State University, Prof. Luis M
Liz- Marzan from the University of Vigo,
Spain, Dr. Meyya Meyyapan, Director and
Senior Scientist, NASA Ames Center for Na-
notechnology and Prof C.N.R Rao, Found-
ing President, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for
Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore,
and several other leading scientists who
presented papers and participated in the
discussions at the workshop.
 Education

Committed to Excellence
The American University of Ras Al Khaimah, that is soon to complete its first anniversary, already has a
strength close to 100 students. Prof Sharon Siverts, President of the American University of Ras Al Khaimah,
explains how AURAK extends its expertise and support to various government and business sectors apart
from providing quality education to the emirate
How many students study at AURAK with the schools and the community to
and which are the countries they demonstrate the commitment of AURAK
come from? to be a significant contributor to the qual-
AURAK is nearing one year this June. ity of life of those living in RAK.
Within this short period, we have close
to 100 students at the campus from The American University of Ras Al
24 countries including UAE - Algeria, Khaimah has been licensed by the UAE
Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cam- Ministry of Higher Education. Which of
eroon, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, your courses are accredited?
Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mali, Nigeria, Currently, we offer Bachelor of Science
Palestine, Pakistan, Russia, Sierra Leone, degrees in Biotechnology; Business
Sudan, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen. In the Administration with specialisations in
coming few years-we see ourselves Finance, International Business, or Market-
crossing the four digit mark and are ing; Electronics and Communications
expecting more international students. Engineering, and Computer Engineering.
All these programmes are accredited.
What is the USP of AURAK? The BS in Management with specialisa-
Sharon Siverts
AURAK is licensed by the Ministry of tions in Human Resource Management
Higher Education in the UAE and all its How do you see AURAK contribute and Management Information Systems is
programmes are accredited. Other USPs to the emirate’s future need of currently under review by the CAA.
we consider are: professionals? The Master of Education in Educa-
• American-style education that engages AURAK programmes are professionally tional Leadership is another programme
students; and programmes that meet focused with internships. We contribute to undergoing accreditation which we hope
market demand. the development of RAK’s future profes- to offer in fall 2010.
• An inviting campus environment full of sionals by preparing business, engineering We also offer an English Language
42 social, cultural and sports activities.  and biotechnology individuals to con- Program (ELP) which emphasises reading,
• On campus apartment-style residence tribute to business in RAK. The university writing, speaking, and listening skills in
facility, separate for male and female supports with expertise for research and English to prepare students to meet the
students. development and the programmes are English language requirements for admis-
• Affordable fee structure with a variety geared to a global environment, particu- sion to academic programs. ELP offers a
of payment plans. larly relating to businesses that advance wide range of courses to cater to various
• Variety of scholarships. RAK and the UAE. English language needs, which includes
• Small classes with fellow students from Education is the key to development full-time study for prospective university
around the world and personal faculty – economic, social, and cultural. Without students; IELTS or TOEFL preparation;
attention.    educated citizens, a country is not able to Intensive English; Business English and
• Excellent teachers and well-equipped develop to capacity or be an economic English for Specific Purposes. English
high technology classrooms and driver in the world economy. There is no language courses are run throughout the
laboratories that connect on campus substitute for education – it is an essential year.
education with real world experience.  time-binding element of our world. (AURAK is an approved TOEFL testing
RAK is known to be an industrial base. There will be more focus on working centre.)
Legally Speaking
‘When clients want to set up business in the UAE, our task is to help them derive the benefits
of numerous double tax treaties the UAE has ratified with high taxed countries’
When was your firm founded and in which jurisdictions do you
work?
The first Austrian chamber was founded by a member of the
Strohal family in 1870. I started my professional career in Austria in
1974, became member of the Austrian Bar Association in 1979, an
international lawyer in Singapore in 1992, and a legal consultant in
the UAE in 2005. Presently, we work in all GCC countries as well as
in the Far East, but we still have intensive connections to the Vienna
chamber.
Why did you choose Ras Al Khaimah as the domicile for your
law firm?
I was invited by high ranking people to start my business in Ras
Al Khaimah, because at that time, there was no international law
firm domiciled here. Further, most foreign investors preferred to be
represented by an experienced international lawyer. When I opened
my office in 2005, I frequently have been asked “What are you doing
up there in this camel town?” But there is no doubt that I made the
right choice. Ras Al Khaimah is one of the most booming emirates
resisting the economic downturn. I am pleased to state that there
are more investors setting up their companies through our office
than have done ever before.
Are your activities limited to Ras Al Khaimah?
No. We are working with an onshore licence so we can represent
clients not only in the whole of UAE, but also in other GCC countries.
However, most of our clients settle in Ras Al Khaimah as this emirate
offers excellent conditions to foreign investors.
Which fields of law are you specialised in?
We concentrate on business law in general; we mostly work in
corporate matters, joint ventures, real estate and international
taxation. Of course, also immigration and labour law are covered by
our expertise. We do not take mandates in family law, criminal law
and any litigation.
There are no taxes
in the UAE. Why do
you concentrate
on international
taxation?
Most of our clients Dr Theodor Strohal
Founder and Senior Partner, Strohal Legal Group,
come from high International Legal Consultants, Ras Al Khaimah
tax countries. When
they want to set up
business in the UAE, our task is to guide them in order to avoid basic
mistakes on how to establish the corporate structure or how to derive
from the benefits of numerous double tax treaties the UAE has ratified
with high taxed countries. So being experts in this legal field, we advise
our clients how to prevent themselves from unexpected tax payments
and from being charged of fiscal offence after years of setting up.
In which languages do you provide your services?
Our lawyers provide advice in English, German, Arabic and French.
Through our Singapore office, we also provide advice in Mandarin,
Hokkien and Malay.
What are the main nationalities of your clients?
About 50 per cent come from German speaking countries, partly
residing here already and partly considering relocation or setting up
subsidiaries in the MENA region. The other 50% are mostly foreign
entities from Europe, Far East, Canada and US, but we also advise local
clients.
What about lobbying? Do you think that knowing the right people
is more important in this country than knowing the law?
I would not say that. Of course, the decision-makers are not numerous,
and to have a direct approach to them can be very important for the
client’s interest. Nevertheless, the laws in this country are generally
respected and everybody who works and lives here can rely on a
profound legal system which is supported by effective executive powers.

Office : Villa 2, 20b Street, (behind Ittihad University),

P.O. Box 31484. Ras Al Khaimah, UAE.
Tel: 00971 7 236 4530. Fax: 00971 7 236 4531.
Email : office@slg-strohallegalgroup.com
 Sports

Tee Time
Incredible India’s golf tournament in the UAE was held over three golf
courses in the UAE - one in Sharjah and two in Ras Al Khaimah.
Over 160 golfers took part in the golf tournament organised by
India Tourism’s Dubai office as part of their Incredible India promo-
tions. While the first round of the event was held at Golf & Shooting
Club, Sharjah , the second round was held at Al Hamra Golf Club, RAK
followed by the third round at the Tower Links Golf Club, RAK .
The 160 golfers enjoyed playing the tournament and the winners
were Burhan Mohd who stood first with 102 points, Antoin Breen in
the second position with 94 points, Zoyed Mohd in third place with
94 points, Mitesh Desai in fourth position with 91 points and Abizher
Mohd in fifth position with 90 points.

44
 Events

Spirit of Giving Fostering the spirit of generosity in children, Ras Al Khaimah

English Speaking School’s annual charity day raised money
for Red Crescent clinics within the UAE.

45
 Retreat to Rak for a Blissful Holiday

46
41
 Health

Wellness Enclave
Set in the backdrop of the Hajjar Mountains and within easy reach of the famed hot springs, RAK Hospital,
the first private sector hospital in RAK, is a natural extension of the warm philosophy and forward-looking
approach of its rulers and people. Set up in 2007 as a joint venture between ETA Star Healthcare and the
Government of RAK, it extends ‘hospitality’ into the ‘hospital’ with consummate ease by blending comfortable
premium stay with sensitive patient handling. An interview with Raza Siddiqui, executive director, ETA Star
Healthcare
What are the benefits of having a tion Cardiology quality. So, the bond is a lot
hospital of your quality and standards Programme, more than what is physi-
in RAK? with specialists cally evident. We steadfastly
The vision of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin like Dr Rajeev adhere to the common vision
Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Lochan, who of developing RAK as a hub of
Ruler of RAK, is to promote RAK as a well- has introduced excellence across sectors. We
established destination for quality health- angioplasty have welcomed numerous
care. I quote His Highness: “RAK Hospital and angi- people who have accessed
will be the cornerstone of our mission to ograms to RAK the facilities at RAK Hospital;
position RAK as a pre-eminent destination for the first and we continue to do so.
for quality healthcare in the region.” time; and
His vision to place RAK on the global our Weight How do you plan to address
map, of not just the healthcare sector, Management the issue of medical tour-
finds resonance in the philosophy of the Programme, ism that is being promoted
hospital. We aim to provide world-class which tackles Raza Siddiqui by the emirate?
facility to the business guests travelling the entire issue of not just obesity, but RAK Hospital is designed to cater to a
from abroad at one level, and endeavour even the underweight aspect. With healthy, long stay. Warm patient care, im-
to cater to the local needs at the other. rising obesity levels and awareness, the peccable medical staff, healing environs,
We have welcomed over 30,000 guests, programme has, at its centre, cutting-edge strict adherence to patient confidentiality
as we fondly call our patients, in the first bariatric surgery by our specialist, and is -- all add up to a very ‘home-away-from-
48 two years. We recently handled a case of offered as a complete package with diet home’ feeling. We are official healthcare
a Swiss lady on her annual vacation to the counselling and post-op patient support. partners to all major hospitality destina-
UAE. She has been brought back, from Patients with sub-normal BMI too are tions in RAK, and are successfully working
what could have proved to be a very dark counselled through the programme. closely with different organisations to
situation for the family, by our specialist. Yet another extension planned is a leverage its natural tourism potential
Her husband has placed us on a par with family clinic at Al Hamra Mall to specifically to attract medical tourists for cosmetic
the finest hospitals in their part of the cater to the residents of the Hamra area and dental procedures, among others.
world. who may find the distance a bit daunting We have been receiving, since inception,
at the moment. several from Europe who access these
Are you introducing new specialities services regularly. We also have a steady
this year? What are they? In what capacity is RAK Hospital tied up stream of patients from Oman, Kuwait and
We have three centres of excellence that with the free zone companies? the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As we like
conform to the global best -- The Joint Re- We are after all a part of the same fabric. to say at the hospital: ‘Welcome to RAK
placement Programme, that specialises in At one level, we are in business, and at the Hospital. We are not a hotel, but you won’t
hip and knee replacements; the Interven- other, we provide healthcare of the finest notice it!’

Nature Repose
Play with animals and learn about falcons at the newly opened Banyan Tree Al Wadi desert resort
The serendipitous Banyan Tree Al
Wadi has added yet another
picturesque element to the enchanting
RAK landscape - animals in its reserve and
a spa, both of which were part of its mas-
terplan, but opened only recently. Pascal
Eppink, General Manager, Banyan Tree, Al
Wadi, has been with the project since the
very start from Janurary 2008. In Phuket,
with his earlier posting with the same
group, a position he held for three years,
he was part of the design and planning
of the Al Wadi resort since his experience
in Saudi, Oman and Bahrain equipped
him with the tastes of the local popula-
tion. Naturally then, his inputs made a big
difference in the design of the project.
For instance, to add connecting rooms for
families, water holes
for the animals in the
resort etc. “When I
came here, we had to
work at various levels.
Apart from overseeing
the progress of the
resort, I worked with
an animal consultant
to integrate the space
for animals in the area.
We wanted people
who were passionate
about animals as well as articulate. I found
a specialist, who is now our Recreation and
Reserve Manager,” he states.
“The resort has started a falcon school
that is spread over three levels – begin-
ners, intermediate and advanced, and the
classroom is ready,” he states. The horses
for the resorts too are finalised and now
people from outside too can learn horse-
riding there.
“We are also building local tents that
will have a story telling time , local events,
an Arabic coffee sampling session, a camel
for the traditional experience – so that
people can learn about the rich history
and culture of the region,” he states. Of
course, to maximise the desert experience,
there are several activities planned - the
Hospitality
resort has two saffron towers and guests
can choose a Western, Arabic or an Asian
meal - in a romantic set-up. For the sea-
shore experience, the Banyan Tree villas
near Al Hamra are ready, so that the guests
who stay at the desert resort can avail the
sea experience too.
So, how does the resort deal with the
summer months? “We shall have special
promos for the coming months. Our spa is
ready, which will gather a large number of
people. Also, all our swimming pools in the
individual villas are chilled. We shall have
early morning and late evening activities.
We have planned a ‘camel on call’ facility,
and story-telling sessions near the dunes.
49
We also plan to have a small area for
children. In the future, we shall have a hot
air balloon facility
with breakfast in
the desert, and we
are exploring the
small expeditions for
‘scorpion searching’
in the dark.
What about
expansion? “There
are plans to start a
mountain resort at
the Jebel Jais, “he
states.
 Events

Humanity on Track
The annual RAK Terry Fox Run highlighted the philanthropic side of RAK residents and guests

The first annual

RAK Terry
Fox Run was held
at the Al Qawasim
Corniche in Ras Al
Khaimah. HH Sheikh
Saud bin Saqr Al Qasi-
mi, Crown Prince and
Deputy Ruler of Ras Al
Khaimah, along with
H E Kenneth Lewis,
Canadian Ambassador
to the UAE, fired the
starting horn setting
the runners off on
the separate 5km and
3km runs held as part
of the event. Accord-
ing to the organisers,
more than 500 people participated in the
run and many more took part in the event
as spectators and volunteers.
The event started off with the pre-run
warm up to motivate the runners and was
followed by a march by the members of
the RAK Police music who played their
tunes. People wearing T-shirts with the
portrait of Terry Fox ran, cycled, jogged
and skateboarded in the non- competi-
50 tive event held to raise money for cancer
research. The funds col-
lected from the RAK event
would be donated to the
UAE University Hospital
in Al Ain where a number
of ongoing and cancer
research projects are being
conducted.
H.E Kenneth Lewis, Ca-
nadian Ambassador to the
UAE personally took part
in the run “I have taken
part in Terry Fox runs in six
different countries and am
very impressed with the level of participa-
tion and the community spirit witnessed in
RAK today,” he says.
“The very strong popular support for
the Terry Fox runs in the UAE indicates
the desire of the people to fight a terrible
disease that affects so many people and
the strong sense of community to rally for a
good cause. It’s also glad to note that there
is world- class cancer research currently go-
ing on in the UAE University in Al Ain,” says
H.E. Kris Panday, Canadian Consul-General
The annual Terry Fox runs
held across the world takes
forward the mission of
Terry Fox, who became an
enduring global icon as he
attempted to run across
Canada in 1980 after
losing a leg to bone cancer,
to raise funds for cancer
research. Sadly,Terry’s bone
cancer returned during his
run and he died shortly
after at the age of just 22.
in Dubai.
Gerry Gibson, Business Instructor at the
RAK Women’s College found the event a
great experience to represent his country.
“I have run the race in Canada. It is really
good to see so many people running in
RAK in the first year. Hopefully, the mes-
sage will spread and we will have more
people running next year and of course
raising more money,” he says. Maricar Mar-
quez from Philippines, who works at the
RAK Hospital, ran the 3-km stretch with her
friends in the event. Excited that
RAK has joined the list of places
hosting the Terry Fox Run, she
states that the run would help a
great deal in creating aware-
ness about the disease and
giving people an opportunity
to contribute their small bit in
mankind’s fight against cancer.
The event was crammed
with hundreds of people, baby
strollers, children in fancy
costumes, families and veteran
runners.
 Events

RAK Half Marathon

51

The
2010 RAK
Half Marathon, the
World’s 2nd richest half marathon
that was held in RAK, saw a sea of people
running for various reasons, sport, solidarity and charity.
Among the winners were Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya and Elvan
Abeylegesse of Turkey.
Children
participating
in cultural
programmes
bringing a burst
of joy to the
event