RAKEZ promotes Ras Al Khaimah as growth hub for Irish businesses

Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) showcased Ras Al Khaimah as an attractive base for Irish businesses looking to establish, scale and access markets across the UAE, GCC and beyond at the Irish Business Network Dubai’s annual ‘Rise & Thrive’ seminar.

Addressing senior Irish and Ireland-affiliated executives, entrepreneurs and government representatives, the RAKEZ team presented the emirate’s combination of economic stability, competitive operating environment and expanding investment pipeline, and the opportunities these create for businesses seeking a regional growth platform.

The discussion formed part of the event’s featured panel, ‘The UAE Advantage’, with RAKEZ also supporting this year’s seminar as a gold sponsor.

RAKEZ Group CEO Ramy Jallad said, “Irish businesses looking at the UAE are not simply choosing where to establish a company, but the platform for their next stage of growth. Ras Al Khaimah offers the stability, cost competitiveness and flexibility to build from here while accessing opportunities across the UAE, the GCC and wider markets. Importantly, there is already an established Irish business community within RAKEZ, so companies entering the market are joining an ecosystem where others from Ireland are already operating and growing. As Ras Al Khaimah continues to develop, we see significant scope for more Irish companies to bring their capabilities, expertise and investment into the emirate.” More than 250 Irish-linked companies are already part of RAKEZ’s business community of over 50,000 companies from close to 200 countries. Among them are Kelly Steel, which has expanded its operations in Ras Al Khaimah into a substantial manufacturing business, and E+I Engineering, which established PowerBar Gulf in the emirate before becoming part of global infrastructure company Vertiv. These success stories demonstrate how Irish businesses can establish a regional presence, expand their operations and continue growing within RAKEZ’s business ecosystem.

The economic zone representatives also drew attention to the next wave of development underway across Ras Al Khaimah and the opportunities it is opening for Irish suppliers, manufacturers and service providers. Projects and destinations including RAK Central, the emirate’s emerging mixed-use business district; Tech Flex, a next-generation technology and innovation ecosystem; and the $5.7 billion Wynn Al Marjan integrated resort project are adding to the emirate’s growth pipeline, while creating new areas of demand for businesses which could support its expanding economy.

With an established Irish business community already operating within RAKEZ, the seminar provided an opportunity to build on these commercial links and engage more Irish companies on how Ras Al Khaimah can support their regional growth ambitions.

Meanwhile Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) is participated in AIM Congress 2026 and showcased Ras Al Khaimah’s growing proposition as a competitive destination for investment and business expansion.

RAKEZ participated as a co-exhibitor within the Ras Al Khaimah Pavilion, alongside Marjan, RAK Chamber, RAKBANK, RAK Properties, RAK Innovation City and other participating entities, collectively presenting the breadth of the emirate’s business and investment ecosystem to global investors, entrepreneurs and decision-makers.

Commenting on the significance of AIM Congress, RAKEZ Group CEO Ramy Jallad said, “The UAE’s investment momentum speaks for itself. In 2025, the country attracted a record Dhs177.3 billion in foreign direct investment, marking its fourth consecutive year of record inflows and placing it ninth globally for inbound FDI. This reflects the confidence international investors have in the UAE as a place to establish, expand and compete.”

“At Ras Al Khaimah, we are building on that momentum by offering businesses a competitive operating environment, strong infrastructure and connectivity, access to regional and international markets, and an ecosystem designed to support growth. AIM Congress gives us an important platform to engage directly with investors and demonstrate how RAKEZ can support them at every stage, from market entry to long-term expansion,” he added.

During the three-day event, the RAKEZ team engaged with prospective investors, business leaders and strategic partners from international markets, highlighting its comprehensive range of business set-up solutions and facilities, spanning from flexible workspaces and offices to warehouses, industrial facilities and land, complemented by a range of support services designed to simplify establishment and ongoing operations.

This offering supports a diverse business community that today comprises more than 50,000 active companies from close to 200 across more than 50 sectors.

WAM