Ras Al Khaimah builds strong future with trade, industry and tourism growth
Image used for illustrative purpose. Photo: WAM
RAS AL KHAIMAH: The emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is moving forward with a clear plan to grow its economy by using many sectors, not just oil. The focus is on making and exporting goods, improving logistics, growing factories, and expanding tourism. This plan supports the national vision called We the UAE 2031.
New figures from the Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce and Industry show strong growth in exports during the first nine months of 2025. This growth shows that the emirate’s economy is active and able to meet demand from many countries. Trade ties have expanded across the Middle East, Asia, Europe and Africa.
The value of exported goods reached around AED 7.6 billion. The third quarter of 2025 was the strongest period, with 9,467 certificates of origin issued. This shows that factories in Ras Al Khaimah are working steadily and that global demand remains strong.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was the top buyer of goods from Ras Al Khaimah. Exports to Saudi Arabia were worth more than AED 1.6 billion. Oman came next with goods worth AED 211 million, followed by Kuwait with exports valued at nearly AED 299 million.
Iraq ranked fourth, with exports worth AED 1.2 billion. This shows how Ras Al Khaimah products are helping meet the needs of large regional markets. Qatar, Bahrain and Egypt also ranked among the top destinations, helping the emirate avoid depending on just one market.
Mohamed Mosbeh Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the emirate’s development plan is about helping people and building strong institutions, not just increasing numbers. He explained that investing in people, roads, ports and government systems has helped attract foreign investors and build a flexible economy that can handle global changes while also protecting the environment.
Free zones play a key role in this growth, especially Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone. Goods sent from free zones to the UAE market were covered by 2,839 certificates of origin, with a value of AED 567 million.
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Ramy Jallad, Chief Executive Officer of RAKEZ, said Ras Al Khaimah has created a business-friendly environment with clear laws, strong infrastructure and services made for investors. This has helped attract projects in factories, new technology and clean energy, making the emirate stronger and more ready for global economic changes.
Tourism is also becoming a major driver of growth. According to data from Stirling Hospitality Advisors, Ras Al Khaimah welcomed 1.28 million hotel guests in 2024. This was an increase of 5.1 percent compared to the year before, showing rising interest in the emirate.
Ras Al Khaimah is now preparing for major hotel expansion. It currently has about 8,300 hotel rooms. Over the next few years, around 9,300 new rooms are expected, which will greatly increase capacity and support future visitor growth. Most of the new hotels will be five-star properties. This shows the emirate’s focus on luxury tourism and high-quality visitor experiences, while also supporting business travel.
Serviced residential units are also growing fast. Sixteen new projects are planned, offering about 5,600 units by 2029. Around 1,000 more hotel rooms are expected by 2030. Ras Al Khaimah aims to welcome 3.5 million visitors every year by 2030. This goal shows the emirate’s ambition to become a global tourism hub with modern infrastructure and many types of experiences.
Real estate developers are playing an important role in this journey, led by Marjan Hospitality, which is developing major projects on Al Marjan Island, RAK Central and Jebel Jais.
