Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ) has been awarded ‘Industrial Area of the Year’ at the prestigious Supply Chain and Transport Awards (SCATA), the region’s premiere annual celebration of the Middle East logistics industry.
Organised by ITP Business, the lavish ceremony was held at the Mina A’Salam, Dubai, and was attended by more than 200 top executives from the Middle East transportation and logistics sectors.
The ‘Industrial Area Award of the Year’ recognises industrial areas or free zones that provide world-class services to the Middle East freight forwarding industry, with exceptional business incentives, transport and logistics infrastructure, customer service and marketing.
“It is a great honour to be recognised as the best in a vast pool of resources,” says Oussama El Omari, CEO of RAK FTZ. “Receiving this award shows that our dedication and hard work are paying off. This would not have been possible without the contribution of each and every member of the Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone staff, as well as our esteemed clients and suppliers.”
He adds, “There is vast potential in the market but there is also tight competition. This, plus our own standards of excellence, keeps us on our toes. We aim to strive to be better in everything we do, especially in providing world-class facilities within a great business platform and at the same time adhering to environment, health and safety regulationss.”
The free trade zone is committed to protecting the environment and attracting the latest technology from the best of companies around the world. This means careful selection of projects ensuring that companies have the same environment, health and safety standards as RAK FTZ and follow the policy and procedure for the manufacturing sector.
The RAK FTZ Industrial Park, located along the Ras Al Khaimah coastal road approximately six km from Saqr Port, was developed specifically for the construction of heavy industries and warehousing. Plot sizes are provided to suit individual client requirements and are fully serviced with water, electricity and telecommunications. The facilities on-site include employee accommodation, Customs Office, Operation Supportive Services Centre and more. It has recently received an AED 500 million investment from Knauf, a leading manufacturer and supplier of building materials.
Among its diverse portfolio, RAK FTZ has also developed Technology Park and the Al Ghayl Industrial Park. Technology Park is situated in a rapidly expanding area devoted to light industries, automated manufacturing and capital-intensive quality lifestyle projects. Al Ghayl Industrial Park caters to heavy industries that deal with the construction market such as steel fabrication. The park, which is strategically located near Sharjah and Fujairah, is still under development and contains different size of plots to suit various investor requirements.
Now on its third year, SCATA aims to raise the profile of the industry in the region, and reward those that have made significant contributions to its progress and development. The awards acknowledge the leaders as well as the newcomers who have invested in technology, implemented winning strategies and invested both time and resources to ensure the local industry not only meets international standards but often exceeds them.
The winners were judged by a prestigious panel of industry figureheads, selected from within the Middle East logistics industry. This year’s independent judging panel included Issa Baluch, founder of Swift Freight International and author of Transport Logistics – Past, Present and Predictions; Doctor Kanak Madrecha, senior manager of DP World and founding member of the Supply Chain & Logistics Group; and Sebastian Thomas, logistics manager of Al-Futtaim’s retail division and winner of the Logistics Manager of the Year award at the inaugural SCATA ceremony. Also in this year’s panel were industry leaders Ali Al Jallaf, vice-president of Dubai Airports Cargo Unit, and Salma Hareb, CEO of Economic Zones World.
Walid Akawi is CEO of ITP Publishing Group, who hosted the awards event. “We are proud to hold the 3rd Supply Chain and Transport Awards and are delighted with the level of interest and participation that the industry has shown this year,” he says. “The awards reflect Logistics Middle East’s standing in the Middle East supply chain industry and it is our pleasure to give something back. The winners were well deserved and our congratulations go out to them all.”
Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ) is a world-class business hub and a vehicle for industrial growth and development. The free trade zone, with its cutting-edge technology and keen customer focus, offers on-demand and custom-built support services to investors in a cost-effective and flexible environment. The free trade zone also offers a range of unique services, which include the legal, human resources and marketing assistance.
RAK FTZ has created a system of four Parks – Business Park, Industrial Park, Technology Park and Al Ghayl Industrial Park – which offer identical advantages and benefits to investors. Backed by legislations allowing 100 per cent foreign ownership, a tax-free environment, transparent laws and 100 per capital and profit repatriation, the free trade zone is well positioned for global commerce.
Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone is one of the fastest growing free trade zones, with companies from 106 countries around the globe. For more information visit www.rakftz.com.
