RAK Properties awarded as 'The Best Developer for the Best Tourist Project'

The Award was announced in a ceremony organized by Newsweek 'Arabic Edition' at Grand Hyatt Hotel Dubai when the magazine rewarded the top 20 performers representing various business sectors in the UAE for the year 2008.

The magazine named these companies as 'best of the best' owing to their significant contribution to UAE economy in general and to their sectors in particular.

H.H. Sheikh Hasher Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, Director General, Dubai Department of Information, has honored RAK Properties, as 'The Best Developer for the Best Tourist Project' for its flagship Mina Al Arab.

The Managing Director and CEO of RAK Properties, Mohamed Sultan Al Qadi, received the award at the presence of Mohamed Salman, Regional Director of Newsweek and Mr. Bashar Al Ameer from the Kuwaiti Dar Al Watan.

Commenting on the event, Mr. Mohamed Sultan Al Qadi of RAK Properties expressed his delight to receive such a distinctive prize from an esteemed international publication in recognition of RAK Properties' flagship project Mina Al Arab as 'The Best Tourist Project' in the UAE.

"I am happy that RAK Properties was able to achieve such success adding another real value to Mina Al Arab particularly that the prize was offered by Newsweek Magazine on high professional standards," he added.

Al Qadi extended his special thanks to the management of Newsweek specifically to its regional team for selecting RAK Properties to be among 'best of the best'.

In May 2006, RAK Properties launched Mina Al Arab, its iconic waterfront community project in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. The Dhs10bn project combines lush landscaping, protected coastal wetlands and natural pristine beaches which blend perfectly with luxury homes, hotels and world-class leisure facilities.

The development is spread over a 43 million sq ft area with 5.7 km of natural beach along with inland waterways providing abundant water frontage.

Mina Al Arab envisages the creation of integrated and diverse communities spun around a group of islands which will have luxury homes and world class tourism developments as well as retail, entertainment and waterside dining facilities.

The project will also offer 5,500 freehold residential units nestled in a setting of mangroves and natural beaches. There will be villas designed on different architectural styles - Arabic, Spanish, Venetian and Mediterranean - all facing a natural lagoon and surrounded by cascading waterfalls and fountains. A marina will form the heart of the Mina Al Arab community, ensuring a thriving, lifestyle-rich environment.

Another attraction of Mina Al Arab will be a shopping mall facility inspired by the grand Arabian Souks of yester year, selling everything from basic goods to luxury items.

An oasis walk - a lushly landscaped corridor serving as a walkway and bicycle pathway linking the islands in the project - will provide Mina Al Arab residents and visitors the perfect break from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. The coastal wetlands of Mina Al Arab will also constitute an eco zone, which will be home to a variety of fascinating marine flora and fauna.

The pioneering project is set to become a major attraction in the expanding tourism portfolio of the Middle East with the harmonious co-existence of nature and modern lifestyle it seeks to achieve.