RAKIA on track to boost Belgian investor interest in Ras Al Khaimah

The conference, aimed at boosting Belgian investment in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, will be attended by several high profile dignitaries including former Belgian Prime Minister Jean-Luc Dehaene and the Belgian Ambassador to the UAE, Philippe Dartois. The visiting delegation will also meet with H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.

The Belgian delegation is represented by Voka Halle-Vilvoorde, part of the Voka business network and Flemish Chambers of Commerce. The delegation, which also includes representatives of Brussels Airport, will meet with senior officials from RAKIA and its associate groups - Rakeen, RAK Airways and Ras Al Khaimah International Airport.

Dr. Khater Massaad, Chief Executive Officer, RAKIA, said, "Through this investment seminar we expect to propel significant investment from Belgian companies especially in the fields of energy and power, gold and diamond jewellery manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, real estate, education and tourism."

"An increasing number of Belgian businessmen have expressed their interest in recent months to explore business opportunities in Ras Al Khaimah and benefit from the emirate's business-friendly policies and strategic location. Belgium has a lot to offer from an economic point of view, and we believe that Ras Al Khaimah will serve as an ideal base from where Belgian companies can consolidate their presence in the booming markets of the UAE and the Middle East as a whole. We are looking forward to having extremely fruitful discussions with the visiting Belgian delegation during the conference, and the presence of dignitaries like Mr. Jean-Luc Dehaene will add to the importance of such a meeting," he added.

In the third quarter of 2007 RAKIA has attracted 217 companies to Ras Al Khaimah, representing an increase of 23 per cent over the previous quarter, and since its inception two years ago, the Investment Authority has been able to attract close to USD 2.0 billion worth of investments from all over the world, across industrial segments.