Ras Al Khaimah offers investors from China a strategic base for global expansion, long-term growth, and access to high-potential markets Published by: China Daily In today’s dynamic global landscape, Chinese businesses continue to stand out for their innovation, speed, and ambition. Behind this success are visionary entrepreneurs and investors who are increasingly looking beyond their borders to tap into high-potential international markets, access new talent pools, and diversify their portfolios. Gateway to growth Among the world’s emerging business hotspots, Ras Al Khaimah is proving to be a destination of choice. Located in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the northernmost emirate offers a strategic bridge to the thriving markets of the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia. At its core is the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), one of the region’s largest and fastest-growing economic zones, serving as a launchpad for over 35,000 companies from over 100 countries across more than 50 sectors. Further strengthening this position, RAKEZ has signed strategic agreements with eight Chinese regions, including Tianjin, Shenzhen (Longhua), and Wenzhou, enhancing cross-border opportunities and deepening economic ties. Ideal partner for global business expansion RAKEZ delivers a seamless, cost-effective business set-up experience backed by a robust infrastructure and wide-ranging support services. Located just 45 minutes from Dubai, the economic zone provides access to ready-built offices, warehouses, industrial land, coworking spaces, and on-site staff accommodation — all tailored to the needs of international investors. Company formation is fast and efficient, often completed within days. Multiple packages also include UAE residence visas, enabling investors and their families to relocate with ease. Business owners benefit from the UAE’s visa flexibility, ability to recruit international talent, and access to expert assistance with corporate and personal banking. Importantly, RAKEZ offers more than just a set-up solution. Businesses gain access to a wide suite of value-added services, from administrative and marketing support to accounting, recruitment, and e-commerce services — all designed to help companies thrive in the long term. And for those relocating, Ras Al Khaimah provides an outstanding quality of life. With a range of international schools, modern healthcare facilities, entertainment venues, and affordable residential options, the emirate is consistently ranked as one of the world’s safest places to live and work. It also offers a lower cost of living than the national average and no personal income tax, making it an attractive base for business owners and professionals alike. Powering industrial growth across the region and beyond RAKEZ is especially appealing to manufacturers and logistics players. The zone offers dedicated industrial hubs which are designed to support light and heavy industries, as well as warehousing and logistics operations. These zones feature land for development, customisable and built-to-suit facilities, and on-site labour accommodations, allowing manufacturers to efficiently scale their operations. Enhanced by excellent connectivity to major UAE ports and airports, and soon to be linked to the Etihad Rail network, RAKEZ ensures smooth regional and global supply chain integration. Coupled with competitive leasing rates, zero customs duties on re-exports, low operational costs, and the choice of legal structures—including family offices, holding companies, and headquarters—the environment is designed for growth and global integration. A major milestone in this direction is the $300 million investment agreement with THi. Developed in phases, the project underscores the UAE’s growing appeal as a premier destination for strategic international investment. THi, which also operates industrial parks in Suzhou, will lease more than 300,000 m² of land in Al Hamra, Ras Al Khaimah, to establish a next-generation industrial park aimed at attracting high-tech and smart manufacturing enterprises, particularly from East Asia. Around 300 Chinese companies are thriving within the RAKEZ ecosystem, reflecting the zone’s appeal to a wide spectrum of industries across recycling, steel structure, LED lighting, engineering, and packaging, among many others. A resilient economy and a rising hub Beyond RAKEZ itself, Chinese investors also benefit from Ras Al Khaimah’s broader economic strengths. The emirate is one of the most diversified in the region, with no single sector accounting for more than one-third of GDP. International credit agencies have consistently rated Ras Al Khaimah in the ”A” range for more than 15 years, reflecting fiscal strength and long-term policy stability. Its integration into the wider UAE economy, ranked among the world’s top ten most competitive, further enhances investor confidence. The UAE is already China’s largest trading partner in the Arab world, with around 60 percent of Chinese trade re-exported through the country to more than 400 cities across the MENA region. This makes the UAE, and by extension RAKEZ, a natural partner for China’s outward investment strategy. That opportunity is already being realised. In H1 2025, RAKEZ registered 8,506 new companies, a 43 percent increase from the same period last year. This growth reinforces RAKEZ’s position as both a driver of Ras Al Khaimah’s economy and a strategic hub for Chinese enterprises expanding into international markets. Beginning of a prosperous future With a forward-looking regulatory framework, investor-first services, and unmatched access to regional markets, RAKEZ is more than an economic zone – it’s a platform for transformation where Chinese investors have a chance to be part of a rising business community that blends growth potential with lifestyle advantages. Through one-stop shops, customised solutions, and efficient visa and licensing services for investors and their families, RAKEZ ensures that Chinese enterprises can scale effectively and establish strong, long-term partnerships in the region. Ras Al Khaimah is where tomorrow’s success stories begin—and RAKEZ is ready to help write the next chapter. RAKEZ welcomes Chinese investors to connect with its experts in Shenzhen and Shanghai.
Ras Al Khaimah offers investors from China a strategic base for global expansion, long-term growth, and access to high-potential markets
Published by: China Daily
In today’s dynamic global landscape, Chinese businesses continue to stand out for their innovation, speed, and ambition. Behind this success are visionary entrepreneurs and investors who are increasingly looking beyond their borders to tap into high-potential international markets, access new talent pools, and diversify their portfolios.
Among the world’s emerging business hotspots, Ras Al Khaimah is proving to be a destination of choice. Located in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the northernmost emirate offers a strategic bridge to the thriving markets of the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia. At its core is the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), one of the region’s largest and fastest-growing economic zones, serving as a launchpad for over 35,000 companies from over 100 countries across more than 50 sectors.
Further strengthening this position, RAKEZ has signed strategic agreements with eight Chinese regions, including Tianjin, Shenzhen (Longhua), and Wenzhou, enhancing cross-border opportunities and deepening economic ties.
RAKEZ delivers a seamless, cost-effective business set-up experience backed by a robust infrastructure and wide-ranging support services. Located just 45 minutes from Dubai, the economic zone provides access to ready-built offices, warehouses, industrial land, coworking spaces, and on-site staff accommodation — all tailored to the needs of international investors.
Company formation is fast and efficient, often completed within days. Multiple packages also include UAE residence visas, enabling investors and their families to relocate with ease. Business owners benefit from the UAE’s visa flexibility, ability to recruit international talent, and access to expert assistance with corporate and personal banking.
Importantly, RAKEZ offers more than just a set-up solution. Businesses gain access to a wide suite of value-added services, from administrative and marketing support to accounting, recruitment, and e-commerce services — all designed to help companies thrive in the long term.
And for those relocating, Ras Al Khaimah provides an outstanding quality of life. With a range of international schools, modern healthcare facilities, entertainment venues, and affordable residential options, the emirate is consistently ranked as one of the world’s safest places to live and work. It also offers a lower cost of living than the national average and no personal income tax, making it an attractive base for business owners and professionals alike.
RAKEZ is especially appealing to manufacturers and logistics players. The zone offers dedicated industrial hubs which are designed to support light and heavy industries, as well as warehousing and logistics operations. These zones feature land for development, customisable and built-to-suit facilities, and on-site labour accommodations, allowing manufacturers to efficiently scale their operations.
Enhanced by excellent connectivity to major UAE ports and airports, and soon to be linked to the Etihad Rail network, RAKEZ ensures smooth regional and global supply chain integration. Coupled with competitive leasing rates, zero customs duties on re-exports, low operational costs, and the choice of legal structures—including family offices, holding companies, and headquarters—the environment is designed for growth and global integration.
A major milestone in this direction is the $300 million investment agreement with THi. Developed in phases, the project underscores the UAE’s growing appeal as a premier destination for strategic international investment. THi, which also operates industrial parks in Suzhou, will lease more than 300,000 m² of land in Al Hamra, Ras Al Khaimah, to establish a next-generation industrial park aimed at attracting high-tech and smart manufacturing enterprises, particularly from East Asia.
Around 300 Chinese companies are thriving within the RAKEZ ecosystem, reflecting the zone’s appeal to a wide spectrum of industries across recycling, steel structure, LED lighting, engineering, and packaging, among many others.
Beyond RAKEZ itself, Chinese investors also benefit from Ras Al Khaimah’s broader economic strengths. The emirate is one of the most diversified in the region, with no single sector accounting for more than one-third of GDP. International credit agencies have consistently rated Ras Al Khaimah in the ”A” range for more than 15 years, reflecting fiscal strength and long-term policy stability. Its integration into the wider UAE economy, ranked among the world’s top ten most competitive, further enhances investor confidence.
The UAE is already China’s largest trading partner in the Arab world, with around 60 percent of Chinese trade re-exported through the country to more than 400 cities across the MENA region. This makes the UAE, and by extension RAKEZ, a natural partner for China’s outward investment strategy.
That opportunity is already being realised. In H1 2025, RAKEZ registered 8,506 new companies, a 43 percent increase from the same period last year. This growth reinforces RAKEZ’s position as both a driver of Ras Al Khaimah’s economy and a strategic hub for Chinese enterprises expanding into international markets.
With a forward-looking regulatory framework, investor-first services, and unmatched access to regional markets, RAKEZ is more than an economic zone – it’s a platform for transformation where Chinese investors have a chance to be part of a rising business community that blends growth potential with lifestyle advantages.
Through one-stop shops, customised solutions, and efficient visa and licensing services for investors and their families, RAKEZ ensures that Chinese enterprises can scale effectively and establish strong, long-term partnerships in the region.
Ras Al Khaimah is where tomorrow’s success stories begin—and RAKEZ is ready to help write the next chapter. RAKEZ welcomes Chinese investors to connect with its experts in Shenzhen and Shanghai.
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