2nd Ras Al Khaimah Real Estate & Investment Show gathers powerful line-up ahead of May 22 kick-off

With a powerful line-up of exhibitors, the 2nd RAK REIS is poised to showcase the most prominent real estate projects across the emirate, delivering a wide array of business prospects for corporate and individual investors as well as foreign direct investments.

As a complementary initiative to the Ras Al Khaimah Government's economic development program, this year's trade show is expected to establish new exhibition standards, particularly in participation, as the 2nd RAK REIS is now on track to exceed the 2007 edition's 2,450 visitors.

The event also seeks to tap into Ras Al Khaimah's tourism potential, one of the primary catalysts to the emirate's ongoing real estate boom, as tourist footfall has been expected to grow from 500,000 in 2007 to 2.5 million by 2012.

"Ras Al Khaimah is emerging as one of the most vibrant real estate markets not only in the UAE but in the entire region. The emirate's unique natural environments offer various lucrative property development opportunities; RAK REIS provides the sales platform for exhibitors to showcase their portfolio to corporate and individual investors and thus realise the immense industry potential of Ras Al Khaimah," said Mr. Waheed Khaled, Managing Director, Electro Med.

Sponsored by KHOIE, RAK Properties, Saraya Islands and BAZ; and co-sponsored by PMDC, Select Property and Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort and Spa; RAK REIS will gather personalities from the full cycle of property development, including developers, consultants, agencies, property managers, financiers and even public sector representatives.

Sultan, Property World, City Hotel, Consulting Engineering Group, Reach, and all sponsors are some of the many exhibitors confirmed at the event, which is being supported by Al Aqaria News as Media Sponsor; and Reidin.com and Eye of Dubai as Online Information Partners.

The Ras Al Khaimah Government has leveraged its unique location to map out its economic strategy based on two anchor areas: tourism and industrial development.

Ongoing tourism projects in Ras Al Khaimah that will be showcased at the exhibition include resorts, theme parks, desert and hill stations, as well as five and seven-star hotels, representing nearly Dhs80bn in investments in the property sector within the next five years. Moreover, desert retreats and mountain villages are being planned to offer beach, desert, mountain and even skiing-themed vacation packages.

Other planned developments in Ras Al Khaimah include health and educational facilities with total investments of Dhs7.3bn in the next five years, along with sports facilities, world-class shopping malls, marinas, and commercial complexes.

The emirate's GDP has been climbing at an average rate of 12% over the past four years and was close to 20% in 2007, allowing the government to either invest in or aggressively promote future major property developments.