New glass unit opens in RAK

Dubai: Shaikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, on Saturday inaugurated a pharmaceutical glass container manufacturing plant of RAK Ghani Glass LLC, set up with an investment of $28 million (Dh102.9 million) at Al Jazeera Al Hamra.

The plant has an annual production capacity of 44,000 tonnes, which is equivalent to 600 million lightweight pharmaceutical bottles. RAK Ghani Glass LLC is a joint venture between Ghani Group from Pakistan, Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority (Rakia), JS Group and Saudi-based Swicorp.

Speaking at the international customers convention of RAK Ghani Glass held as part of the factory inauguration, Shaikh Saud said, "The Government of Ras Al Khaimah has taken care to provide businesses with the right conditions for growth and investment including implementation of key economic reforms and augmentation of infrastructure which has helped the emirate to attract investments from across the world."

Imtiaz Ahmad Khan, chief executive officer of Ghani Group, said, "The RAK Ghani Glass plant is the most technologically advanced facility of its kind in the region and is positioned to develop as one of the leading pharmaceutical glass packaging manufacturers globally. The company would deliver European-quality lightweight pharmaceutical glass containers and intends to leverage the superb infrastructure, modern transportation network and seamless connectivity available in RAK."

He added that RAK Ghani Glass plant is the only glass plant in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region with a Class 100,000 Clean Room facility which enables it to meet the stringent quality standards of major pharma companies worldwide.

Dr Khater Massaad, CEO of Rakia, said that the addition of RAK Ghani Glass to the growing list of industrial ventures in the emirate is yet another acknowledgement of the competitive strengths Ras Al Khaimah has as a preferred manufacturing destination. Rakia has managed to attract $3 billion in industrial investment to Ras Al Khaimah resulting in the setting up of over 400 industrial establishments and creating more than 70,000 jobs."