Ras Al Khaimah
Company Formation Services

Rak Free Zone

The Ras Al Khaimah International Airport was opened in 1976 and is 18km south of the city center. Since incorporation less than 4 years ago, Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority has licensed more than 410 companies from 33 different countries, and this figure is rapidly increasing.

As the youngest of all of the Free Zones in the UAE, Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone has built its international reputation and infrastructure only after careful research, planning and development, resulting in the introduction of a unique, ambitious 3 Park concept that did not exist previously in the UAE or even within the region, and the provision of premier business facilities for RAK FTZ investors within other Emirates.

As more and more Free Zones appear in the UAE and throughout the region, Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone will continue with its policy of sourcing and attracting environmentally friendly, quality investors in the Service, Manufacturing and Industrial sectors, with high emphasis placed on attracting investors from the Technology industry. RAK FTZ investors can expect an easy and rapid licensing procedure every step of the way, and every investor is sure of an ongoing, unrivalled marketing support service.

All the three Parks are undergoing major expansion on a regular basis. The next few years will bring targeted expansion and development within RAK FTZ, supporting individual investor needs within each of the 3 Parks. The further development of superior business facilities in other Emirates will be done. It will ensure that RAK FTZ investors are presented with a total marketing solution and everything they will ever need to succeed in business with Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone.

General Information

Ras Al Khaimah is part of the United Arab Emirates, a constitutional federation of seven emirates located along the south eastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula. Qatar lies to the west, Saudi Arabia to the south and west and Oman to the north and east. The Federation was formally established in 1971.

Population

RAK is one of the Emirates of the seven independent emirates, the current population is approximately 250,000 but this is expected to raise to 400,000 by 2017. Over 50% of the population are expatriates.

Time Zone

The UAE is 4 hours ahead of GMT (+4 GMT).

Political Structure

Prior to 1971 each of the seven members emirates of the UAE (Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaima, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain), previously known as the Trucial States, had its own existing institutions of government. The Rulers agreed to draw up a provisional Constitution (“the Constitution”) which provided for the establishment of the Supreme Council of the Rulers of all the Emirates as the foremost authority in the Federation and a Council of Ministers as the Executive Branch of the Federation. Federal Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Justice, Public Health, Communications, Information Interior, Finance and Industry, Economy and commerce, Education, Public Works, Agriculture, Labour and Social Affairs and Planning were established. As a Muslim country, one of the fundamental principles in the Constitution provides that Islamic Law (Sharia) is the main souce for the legislation in the UAE. The main aim of the UAE Government Strategy is to ensure sustainable development and a high quality of life for all UAE Nationals.

Infrastructure and Economy

The UAE is one of the wealthiest countries in the world with a GDP of US $103 billion (2004). Dubai’s economy grew by approximately 16% in 2005 and is acknowledged as one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The UAE has the third largest proven oil reserves, however RAK has broadened its economic activity to include an industrial platform, real estate, trade and manufacturing. In addition Tourism is increasing rapidly with approximately 10 million tourists expected in 2007. The emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is strategically located between Africa and the Middle East and between the Far East and Europe, making it a gateway to over 1.5 billion consumers located in countries surrounding the Red Sea and the Gulf. Its infrastructure is of the highest standards with access to more than 170 shipping lines and approximately 86 airlines connecting to over 100 cities worldwide. The strong shipping and transportation sector is composed of most of the leading regional and international freight forwarders, insurers and shipping agents.

Language

Arabic, Persian, Hindi, and Urdu. English is widely spoken

Currency

The Dirham: The current rate is 6.9 Dirhams = £ 1 and pegged to the dollar at 3.67 AED per $ 1 US.

Exchange Control

None

Type of Law

Federal, except for Dubai and Ras Al Khaima who maintain their own judicial systems. The Emirates had the constitutional right to opt to join the Federal judicial system or maintain their own independent system. The Federal UAE courts are divided into civil and criminal and are also generally divided to three stages of litigation namely:

Courts of First Instance,
Courts of Appeal
Federal Supreme Court (colloquially referred to as Court of Cassation).
In addition to the Civil Courts each of the seven Emirates maintains a system of Sharia Courts which are organised and supervised locally.

Principal Corporate Legislation

International Companies Regulations 2006
Registered Agents Regulations 2006