RAKEZ helps entrepreneurs to turn social presence into profit

Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) recently hosted an engaging session on how businesses can grow sales through influencer marketing at its Compass Coworking Centre. The session equipped entrepreneurs and SMEs with strategies to turn their social media presence into measurable business results.

Led by Mohamad Fattal, Founder and CEO of Alfan, the session delved into the evolving role of influencers in driving brand visibility, authenticity, and revenue. With insights drawn from Alfan’s network and partnerships, Fattal shared actionable methods to bridge the gap between creators, brands, and audiences.

Participants learned how to identify the right influencer partnerships based on audience relevance and engagement rates, develop content tailored to each platform, and design cost-effective strategies for SMEs and growing businesses.

The session also provided tools to measure real commercial impact beyond surface-level metrics, supported by case studies showing how sustained creator collaborations and well-crafted briefs can drive stronger brand awareness and convert digital engagement into measurable sales.

RAKEZ Group CEO Ramy Jallad said, "At RAKEZ, we continuously look for ways to help our business community stay ahead in the ever-changing digital landscape. Influencer marketing has evolved into a key growth driver for businesses of all sizes, and this session was designed to give our clients the knowledge and confidence to turn engagement into real sales.”

The session is part of RAKEZ’s ongoing initiative to support the growth of its business community through expert-led workshops and networking opportunities that address real-world challenges and emerging trends across industries.

Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) has hosted a knowledge-sharing session titled ‘Scaling Smart: Overcoming Key Challenges in Business Growth’, designed to support business owners in navigating the complex journey of sustainable growth.

The dynamic session featured seasoned speakers Dan Bolton, Founder of BE Experiential, and George Emiris, CEO of GRS Research & Strategy. Drawing from their own entrepreneurial and corporate experiences, the speakers provided an honest, behind-the-scenes look at the realities of scaling a business, highlighting the trials, decisions, and mindset shifts required to grow without losing sight of purpose. Bolton shared his personal journey of building his company, offering real-world lessons on maintaining vision and values while expanding a business.

Emiris addressed the challenges companies often encounter during the critical early-growth phase - a period where businesses have moved beyond startup mode but have yet to achieve financial stability. He emphasised the importance of strategic planning, emotional intelligence, and data-driven decision-making, urging entrepreneurs to lead with empathy, focus on what truly matters, and rely on their community for resilience and support. The session also underscored the power of perseverance, emotional intelligence, and strategic thinking in transforming uncertainty into opportunity. It attracted over 100 business owners, who walked away with tangible insights to apply to their own ventures, including how to overcome common scaling roadblocks, avoid the pitfalls that often derail growth, and build a foundation that blends technology with human connection.

Meanwhile Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) promoted the emirate’s investment potential and expanding global partnerships during the 16th Turkish–Arab Economic Forum (TAF16), held recently in Istanbul. As an official sponsor of the forum, RAKEZ underscored Ras Al Khaimah’s position as a competitive destination for international investors and a growing hub for cross-border business collaboration.

The forum gathered business leaders, government officials, and investors from across the Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye, serving as a platform for strengthening trade and investment dialogue between the Turkish and Arab markets. RAKEZ’s participation aimed to reinforce the emirate’s visibility among Turkish enterprises and highlight its business-friendly environment, advanced infrastructure, and connectivity to regional and global markets.

RAKEZ’s presence at the Istanbul forum coincided with a period of strong economic cooperation between Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached $18.9 billion in 2024, representing a 40% year-on-year increase. By engaging with Turkish investors at TAF16, RAKEZ sought to build on this momentum and attract new entrants from sectors aligned with Ras Al Khaimah’s diversified economy.

The RAKEZ delegation presented the emirate’s competitive advantages, including streamlined regulatory processes, cost-effective company formation packages, and access to well-developed industrial zones. The discussions highlighted how Ras Al Khaimah’s strategic location and ease of doing business position it as a launchpad for Turkish enterprises looking to expand across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

RAKEZ Group CEO Ramy Jallad delivered a keynote address outlining the emirate’s evolving economic landscape and infrastructure growth. He emphasised the progress Ras Al Khaimah has made in diversifying its economy and supporting sustainable investment. “TAF16 provided a valuable platform to strengthen economic bridges between Turkey and the Arab world. Ras Al Khaimah continues to evolve as a destination of choice for investors, offering a business-friendly environment, advanced infrastructure, and strategic connectivity. We are proud to support businesses on their growth journeys and welcome Turkish enterprises to be part of our dynamic ecosystem,” said Jallad.

RAKEZ currently hosts more than 470 Turkish-owned companies, operating across diverse sectors such as consultancy, general trading, e-commerce, building materials, chemicals, and manufacturing. This growing community reflects the increasing appetite among Turkish businesses to leverage Ras Al Khaimah’s infrastructure and investor support framework to access regional markets.

Last month, Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone participated in IAA Mobility 2025, one of Europe’s leading automotive and mobility exhibitions, took place in Munich, Germany. As the global automotive sector undergoes a significant transformation, driven by electrification, smart mobility, and advanced manufacturing, RAKEZ is showcased Ras Al Khaimah’s growing appeal as a central base for automotive businesses aiming to expand into the Middle East and beyond.

“IAA Mobility provides an opportunity to engage directly with global automotive leaders and demonstrate how Ras Al Khaimah is positioned to support the sector’s shift toward cleaner, smarter, and more connected mobility solutions. Through RAKEZ, companies can access purpose-built industrial infrastructure, a business-friendly environment, and strategic proximity to major markets,” RAKEZ Group CEO Ramy Jallad said. RAKEZ is home to a diverse cluster of international automotive players, from large-scale commercial vehicle manufacturers and armoured vehicle producers to EV innovators and automotive engineering firms.

The economic zone has also become a regional base for R&D and innovation. Technologies being developed in RAKEZ today include autonomous vehicles, AI-integrated EV systems, precision vehicle modifications, and advanced suspension and component engineering. Participation in IAA Mobility aligns with RAKEZ’s ongoing strategy to attract investment in future-focused sectors. The zone’s evolving infrastructure, including developments like RAKEZ Tech Flex, is designed to meet the needs of next-generation automotive and mobility businesses.

A few day earlier, a high-level delegation from Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), led by Group CEO Ramy Jallad, successfully concluded a strategic tour across four major Chinese cities, including Shenzhen, Ningxia, Xiamen, and Hangzhou, aimed at enhancing bilateral economic cooperation and expanding cross-border investment opportunities. Separately, Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) has hosted a knowledge-sharing session titled ‘Scaling Smart: Overcoming Key Challenges in Business Growth’, designed to support business owners in navigating the complex journey of sustainable growth.

WAM