General Information

Ras Al Khaimah, only 45 minutes from business hub Dubai, is fast becoming the investment destination by choice of investors from across the globe.

With access to over 2 billion consumers and awarded “Best Emerging Free Zone” for the second year running, Ras Al khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAKFTZ) has already developed into a world-class business hub with state-of-the-art infrastructure and hi-tech facilities for industrial growth and development in less than ten years of its inception. The Free Zone, offers customized support services to its investors. It is one of the most cost-effective free zones in the region and most importantly, it offers an absolutely trouble-free, customer-friendly environment, which is very important for the success of any enterprise.

RAK FTZ through its marketing and awareness campaign has created a name for itself known around the world. It has registered more than 4500 companies that originate from 106 countries worldwide. RAK FTZ’s customers are coming from different markets in Middle East , Europe, North America & Asia just to mention a few.

Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority has created a system of four unique Free Zone Parks that will suit and serve every investor according to their requirements. The Four Parks concept includes the Business Park, Industrial Park, and Technology Park & Al Ghail Park, offering the offices, equipped warehouses & Land facilities. Situated at different locations across the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, each Park caters to the specific business interests and activities of the RAK FTZ investors.

Location

Despite the abundance of Free Zones in the UAE, the geographic location and proximity of Port Saqr positions Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone as the first port of call for all northern emirates. An efficient attention to administration procedures ensures ease of trans-shipment and swift access to countries around the world. Port Saqr is closer to the main shipping lane traversing the Strait of Hormuz, and it is the closest emirate to all of the northern markets such as Iran and the CIS, Pakistan, India and within easy reach of China and the Far East.

RAK Free Trade Zone Facilities & Services:

The RAK Free Trade Zone Business Park

The Business Park is located in the central business district of the city, close to the modern RAK Exhibition Centre, Hilton Hotel & Beach Club and Al Manar Shopping & Entertainment Mall.

It caters to the needs of the clients with their requirement of sophisticated offices in a well developed business center.The RAK Business Centre is a free zone facility which gives investors an opportunity to start a business with no hassles. Some of the key features of the RAK Business Centre are the furnished, fully-functional and ready-to-use offices, flexi-offices (shared office) & flexi-desks (shared desk) in various locations rendered in consistence with the investors’ convenience. All of these are offered at highly cost-effective rates.

It offers all of the facilities required by international businesses:

·Superior telecommunications offered by Etisalat

·modern airport connections to 25 countries

·Excellent port facilities at Port Saqr - only 25 kilometres from Ras Al Khaimah

·Close proximity to the emirates of Dubai and Sharjah.

The RAK Free Trade Zone Industrial Park

Located along the Ras Al Khaimah coastal road approximately 15 km north of Ras Al Khaimah and immediately adjacent to Hulaylah Island, which is approximately 6 km from Saqr Port. It is developed for construction of Heavy Industries & Warehousing and incorporates abundant energy supply

Plot sizes are provided to suit individual client requirements and are fully serviced with water, electricity and telecommunications. The facilities include On-site employee accommodation, Custom Office, Operation Supportive Services Centre & other administrative and service support centre located within the Park.

The RAK Free Trade Zone Technology Park

Located at South of Ras Al Khaimah, The Technology Park close proximity to Dubai via the Emirates Road, which is also well known as center of attraction for the business community and in close proximity to the Ras Al Khaimah International Airport.

Covering an area of 100 hectares, it is located opposite 5 Star resorts with an 18-hole golf course (Al Hamra village & resort). It is sited in a rapidly expanding area devoted to Light Industries & automated manufacturing and capital intensive quality lifestyle projects.

Al Ghayl industrial park Covers an area of 400 hectares and it catered for the heavy industries that deal with the construction market such as steel fabrication. It has a strategic location since it is close to Sharjah & Fujairah.

The park is still under development and contains different size of plots that suit various companies' size.

Dedicated Innovation & Promotion Centers (locations& Facilities)

RAKFTZ have Business Centers situated in 4 locations enabling us to render our best services at any place and at anytime.

RAK Business Center in the Business Park (Ras Al Khaimah)

The RAK Business Center, the state of the art center and one-stop-shop of professional services for individuals and organizations in business in the UAE and in the region

RAK Business Center has the latest technology and a wide range of facilities and services supported by qualified and experienced staff with an emphasis on pro-active customer service.

RAK Businessmen Centre in Fairmont (Dubai)

One of the fastest growing cities in the world, Dubai is considered to be the commercial hub of the UAE and offers unlimited business opportunities.

Dubai’s infrastructure and services match international levels which offer an excellent business environment and all advantages of a highly developed economy. Located on the seventh floor of The Fairmont Dubai; the Business Center offers one-stop shop facilities to businessmen.

The Business Center provides you all the support you need to make your operations highly successful by assisting you in obtaining necessary licenses, providing fully furnished office space, conference facilities, front desk secretarial services, marketing services, call-center services, mail forwarding services and other administrative services.

RAK FTZ Promotion & Innovation Centre in Twin Towers (Dubai)

Located in Twin Towers, it’s a private company managed by the RAK Free Trade Zone. The mission of this center is to provide wide range of services that are comprehensive and yet flexible enough to suit all your individual business requirements. The center with its state-of-the-art internal design offers everything for your successful business operation in UAE with the lowest possible hidden charges.

RAK FTZ Promotion & Innovation Centre in Abu Dhabi Mall (Abu Dhabi)

A liaison office of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Free Trade Zone in Abu Dhabi and can provide you with the services below at no cost:

• Professional Consultancy about the different options and facilities for Setting Up Company in RAK Free Trade Zone.
• Professional Assistance in Setting up Free Zone Companies in RAK Free Trade Zone.
• Customer Service Point for the convenience of existing RAK Free Trade Zone clients.

Warehouses

Note: the size of warehouse units could be expandable

There are three types of power load that depends on the size of the warehouse. Therefore the rent will be different from each size: For the extra power loads the lease rent will be different as follows:

Notes:

1- Any change in electric requirement for the extra load must follow the defined procedures of Eng. Department.

2- All cost related to extra load will be beard by client.

3- All temporary connections client must maintain a load management.

Land

Plot and Bulk Standards for the Industrial & Technology Parks:

Plots must conform to the following size requirements:

• Minimum plot area (land lease): 3000 M²

Parking and Loading Requirements

All plots will have sufficient off-street parking and loading areas to meet the demands of the users. Off-street parking and loading areas shall be designed and maintained to ensure that parking and loading shall not occur within the street right-of-way.

Residential Apartments & Villas

Studio Apartment starting from AED 24,000 per year

Staff Accommodation from AED 2500 to 3000 Per month

Residential Hotel

(located in RAK City Centre) Rates are available for daily, weekly and monthly rental

Types of Trade Licenses Available and Fees per annum

The companies accepted for operation in Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone will be granted any one of the following licenses: Industrial License, General Trading License, Commercial License, Consulting & Service License and Real Estate License.

Industrial License

Activities allowed: Import of raw materials, manufacturing, processing, assembling, packaging, and exporting finished products. Feasibility and environmental impact studies and clearance from RAKFTZ are required.

Commercial License

Activities allowed: Import, export, distribution, consolidation, storage or warehousing of items specified on the License. Maximum limit is seven similar product lines.

Consulting & Service License

Activities allowed: Offering consulting services in management, finance, investment, legal issues, labour relations, economics (including feasibility studies), industrial development, marketing, and related subjects. Other services include logistical support such as: restaurants or food outlets, catering services, travel agencies, leisure and social activities, insurance, cargo & freight forwarding, accounting, and audition services.

Commercial - General Trading License

A General Trading License can be obtained under a Commercial License, which allows for more than seven product lines.

* Special licence fees are applicable for certain activities and are not listed above.

The below table represents the rent fees of one room in RAK FTZ Staff Accommodation” , which contains 6 beds excluding security deposit, ID & entry passes:-

Explanatory Notes

1.Sales in the UAE must be carried out through a distributor or locally licenced agent (no direct sales to consumers are allowed).

2.Exchange rate used : $1 USD = 3.65 UAE Dirhams.

3.Rates are subject to change without prior notice.

4.Ample parking facilities are available for each office unit along with 24 hours security.

5.Total number of visas is linked to the nature of the activity.

Documents Required for Registering at the RAK Free Trade Zone 

The initial application for registration at the Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone involves the following procedures:

For FZ Companies (FZC) and FZ Establishments (FZE):

1. Submit the required documents to the Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority.

2. Payment of fees is to be made next. For cash payment allow 2-3 days for processing; for cheque payments allow 3-4 days; international transferred payment requires 3-5 days.

Payable:

·Registration Fees (One time cost)

·License Fees (Annual)

·Land for Lease, Pre-built Warehouse and/or Offices on rent (Annual)

3. Open Bank Account and Deposit the required capital. Within One day you should receive a Bank Letter and then submit along with all of the required documents to the RAK Free Trade Zone Authority.

4. Documentation will be reviewed by the Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority and within 2 to 3 days the trade license and lease deed will be issued to the investor.

5. Then on to the Client Relation department to apply for an Employment Visa for staff. Within 1-2  weeks of submitting all required documents, the Immigration Department will issue an entry permit.

6. Once an employee or investor enters the UAE, they are to go for a Medical Test and Finger print, and within 1-2 weeks they will have a residence visa stamp on their passport.

For Branch of a Local or Foreign Company:

1. Submit the required documents to the Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority:

2. Payment of fees is to be made next. For cash payment allow 2-3 days for processing; for cheque payments allow 3-4 days; international transferred payment requires 3-5 days.

·License Fees (Annual)

·Land for Lease, Pre-built Warehouse and/or Offices on rent (Annual)

3. Documentation is reviewed by the Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority and trade license and lease deed will be issued to the investor.

4. Then on to the Client Relation department to apply for an Employment Visa for staff. Within 1-2  weeks of submitting all required documents, the Immigration Department will issue an entry permit.

5. Once an employee or investor enters the UAE, they are to go for a Medical Test and Finger print, and within 1-2 weeks they will have a residence visa stamp on their passport. 

The diagram below illustrates the whole process from receiving the application until stamping

Resident stamp on passports.

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