Rakia to launch integrated industrial cluster

Ras Al Khaimah: Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority (Rakia), one of the fastest-growing free zones in the region, has announced that it is planning to launch an elaborate concept of themed industry zones.

Ras Al Khaimah is ideally situated to become an industrial centre in the region and has already emerged as an import and export hub servicing the global market in a number of industries like ceramics, cement and glass.

With Rakia's new cluster concept Ras Al Khaimah will draw on this success by expanding its manufacturing base to produce a wide range of the products the country currently imports.

Dr Khater Massaad, CEO of Rakia said: "Geographically concentrating industries brings a wealth of benefits like specialisation, increased productivity, less dependence on imports, reduced transaction cost, higher innovation rates and pursuit of joint solutions to common problems.

Synergy

"By using synergies and integrated facilities the industries can learn, grow and succeed together, applying ... cooperation for global competition as a cluster rather than competing with each other.

"Rakia has the means to provide the perfect environment for this concept with an industry-driven strategy, vast industrial land, the necessary legal framework, efficient infrastructure, premier industrial facilities and the provision for integrated common facilities like office blocks, research-and-development labs, warehouses and factories.

"As a strategic partner Rakia can identify and attract adequate companies for a harmonious homogeneity as well as define and action further growth opportunities. Our vision is to create a highly effective one-stop industry destination with world-class facilities and service."

Raed Mustafa, general manager of Industrial Parks, Rakia, added: "The proposed cluster matrix includes food, chemical, plastic and rubber, non-metallic mineral, primary metal, fabricated metal, electrical equipment/appliance/component, transportation, business park/ [research and development]/local centre and logistics."

Strategic zoning

He said: "Further, industries could be added after thorough due diligence and evaluation. The defined industries will be strategically zoned and clustered considering maximum efficiency and connectivity.

"For a convenient and pleasant working atmosphere, the zones will be interlinked with green spaces." He added: "We believe that this sophisticated concept is an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs and traditional businesses to become part of Rakia's and Ras Al Khaimah's success story with outstanding future prospects."