Ras Al Khaimah Finance & Investment Forum to showcase The Emirate’s growth potential and its Investment Offerings

Ras Al Khaimah Finance & Investment Forum (RAKFIF), the new platform for uncovering business investment opportunities and set-up in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), is gearing up for a successful first edition. Taking place from 13-14 December 2016 at the Rixos Bab Al Bahr in Ras Al Khaimah, [UAE], RAKFIF is expected to attract over 300 high-level delegates across the two days of the event. With less than three months to go until the Forum opens its doors, the event is already attracting interest in line with the growing demand for events like this in the region, which focus on markets with high growth rates such as RAK.

Aiming to help business leaders, financiers, and investors navigate this developing landscape, the inaugural event Ras Al Khaimah Finance & Investment Forum provides a platform for information, networking and commercial opportunities. The Forum is backed by strong government support and key RAK entities and will be hosted under the Patronage of HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.

“RAKFIF is the first and only event of its kind to showcase Ras al Khaimah as whole, focusing on key sectors of economic growth within the Emirate – hospitality, tourism, real estate, manufacturing and infrastructure development” said Irina Awote, Project Director, RAKFIF.  “By bringing together key RAK entities on one platform and providing a unique networking opportunity for investors and businesses alike, the objective of the RAKFIF conference is to unify these strategic partners in presenting an all encompassing network of advice, services and business opportunities that have emerged in the Emirate for investment”.

Ras Al Khaimah has witnessed unprecedented economic growth in recent years, having one of the fastest growing economies in the MENA region with a yearly average growth rate of 8.8 per cent, and making the ranks as one of the Financial Times’ top ten small-medium global cities of the future. RAK’s growth surge comes with the rolling out of the government’s ambitious development and investment plans across various sectors of the Emirate, which the Forum will highlight and focus upon.

As a preferred destination of over 8,600 businesses from more than 100 countries, representing 50 plus highly diverse sectors, Ras Al Khaimah continues to assist and welcome international business set up and operations within the Emirate.

Commenting on their participation at the Forum, Mr. Dennis Karapiperis, CEO of Archirodon Construction (Overseas) Co. S.A. said: “Our strong and strategic presence in RAK is based on our firm belief in its ever growing role in the region. It provided us with a great stable platform as we continue investing in our regional shipyard and lately in our state-of-the-art Fabrication Facilities. We look forward to meeting at the Forum other stakeholders who share our vision and excitement for RAK future in order to establish successful collaborations.”

As a high-level international business investment and finance forum, RAKFIF will bring together experts from government and leading industries with international and regional investors and financiers, to explore business opportunities in the emerging Emirate. The Forum will highlight the numerous investment projects that have been initiated, focusing on a number of key economic sectors including manufacturing & production, real estate, hospitality & tourism, infrastructure – ports, airport and utilities.

The Forum expects to bring together over 300 C level and other industry leaders with RAK entities, showcasing Ras Al Khaimah in its entirety, while offering professional investment assistance and information. Confirmed participating RAK organisations include RAK Free Trade Zone & RAK Investment Authority, RAK Tourism Development Authority, RAK Chamber of Commerce & Industry, RAK International Airport, Department for Civil Aviation, RAK Ports, Al Marjan, Al Hamra Group, RAK BANK, RAK Public Works, RAK Ceramics – one of the world’s largest ceramics producer, plus many more.

Also, participating in the event, Mr. Wassim Moukahal, Senior Vice President of Samena Capital Investments Limited in Dubai, said “Samena Capital has been an investor in Ras Al Khaimah since 2014, through our investment into RAK Ceramics. RAK Ceramics is an example of the emirate’s ability to grow and develop home-grown brands that become dominant global players, and today stands as a strong example of true success of private entrepreneurship from the Arab world.”

The event’s agenda includes panel discussions, sector specific break out sessions and plenary sessions with speakers from leading corporations such as Goldman Sachs International, PwC, Colliers International, HSBC, Samena Capital Investments Limited, Utico, Nabarro Middle East, Halcrow, to name a few. In addition to these, the Forum provides an opportunity to build professional relationships with its informal gatherings, an evening reception on the 13th of December at the venue, and its networking opportunities.

Alongside the presentations, a number of engaging features and events will take place across the two days of the Forum providing attendees with additional industry related content.  RAKFIF has arranged a number of site visits to the locations of new and ongoing developments for delegates to participate in, in order to gain an even greater perspective of all that Ras Al Khaimah has to offer. A dedicated onsite exhibition staffed by RAK entities will offer investment advice while showcasing the Emirate fully.

RAKFIF is an industry-only event, open to financiers and investors, and industry professionals with an interest in ongoing and fresh development opportunities in RAK from the surrounding Gulf States and internationally. The two-day Forum will be open on day one from 8.30am to 5.45pm and 8.30am to 4pm on day two, with free access for senior executive professionals who register online until the 21st November. Further information on the event, including directions and travel, and registration are available at http://www.rakfif.com.