logo
RAKEZ achieves record growth in 2024, adds over 13,000 new companies

RAKEZ achieves record growth in 2024, adds over 13,000 new companies

Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) announced a significant milestone in 2024, with 13,141 new companies joining its thriving ecosystem.
This represents an impressive 66 percent growth in new registrations compared to 2023.
The steep rise in new company registrations makes RAKEZ home to nearly 30,000 multinational companies now, reinforcing its status as a leading global hub for business excellence.
The growth in 2024 has been driven primarily by commercial activities, including general trading, e-commerce, and related businesses, which together accounted for 53 percent of the new company registrations.
This reinforces RAKEZ 's reputation as a thriving hub for traders and businesses seeking strategic access to regional and global markets.
Consultancy followed as a key contributor at 24 percent, with other notable sectors including media and marketing services, wholesale trading, and manufacturing, among many others.
'Over the past five years, RAKEZ has welcomed double the number of companies to its flourishing business community, reflecting the growing appeal of Ras Al Khaimah as a hub for innovation and global trade,' said Ramy Jallad, Group CEO of RAKEZ.
'This growth highlights our commitment to offering tailored support, streamlined services, and an enabling environment where businesses can expand and reach their full potential. As our community continues to grow, we remain focused on fostering long-term success and unlocking new opportunities for businesses of all sizes and sectors,' Jallad said.
India led the way as the top source of new businesses in RAKEZ, highlighting the zone promoter's ongoing efforts to strengthen ties with the South Asian country through strategic initiatives, such as fostering trade relations and leveraging the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Dubai real estate: How to buy property for $545
Dubai real estate: How to buy property for $545

Arabian Business

time39 minutes ago

  • Arabian Business

Dubai real estate: How to buy property for $545

Dubai is reshaping access to real estate with a new government-backed platform that lets investors own a slice of the city's booming property market for as little as AED 2,000. By turning property into digital tokens, the initiative introduces a new model of ownership that aims to make real estate investment faster, more flexible, and more accessible — all within a regulated blockchain ecosystem. But, what exactly is Dubai real estate tokenization and how does it actually work? How tokenized property investment works in Dubai Dubai's tokenised property system operates through platforms licensed by the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA). Investors must be UAE residents over 18 with a valid Emirates ID. After completing Know Your Customer (KYC) verification, they can browse a list of available properties and invest from as little as AED 2,000. Each property is split into digital tokens recorded on the XRP Ledger blockchain. The Dubai Land Department (DLD) issues Property Token Ownership Certificates, linking the digital shares to official land records and ensuring legal recognition. 'The process is surprisingly straightforward,' P.P. Varghese, Head of Professional Services at Cushman & Wakefield Core told Arabian Business. The process includes: Access the platform: Visit with a valid UAE ID Browse properties: Investors can access comprehensive property details, ranging from pricing, risk factors, and technical specifications to the minimum investment required Make investment: Purchase tokenized shares starting from just AED 2,000 ($545) Complete transaction: All transactions are carried out exclusively in UAE Dirhams, with no use of cryptocurrencies during the pilot phase Receive tokens: Title deeds are tokenized on the XRP Ledger network, with direct integration to Dubai's land registry However, ownership is recorded through two layers: blockchain-based digital wallets provided by the platform, and legal documentation issued by the DLD. 'Buyers hold their tokens in digital wallets provided by the licensed platform. At the same time, the DLD steps in to make the ownership official ensuring that ownership is both securely recorded online and legally protected offline,' Zacky Sajjad, Director of Business Development at Cavendish Maxwell said. This ensures that token holders' rights are enforceable under Dubai law, and that the digital record is always backed by a legally recognised title deed. Why was Dubai real estate tokenization launched? The initiative was developed by VARA, the DLD, the UAE Central Bank, and the Dubai Future Foundation. 'Dubai's launch of the first licensed tokenised real estate project in the MENA region marks a pivotal moment,' Adela Mues, Partner at Reed Smith said. 'This initiative is not simply a technological experiment; it is a comprehensive reimagining of how real estate can be accessed, traded, and governed.' VARA oversees all Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) across most of Dubai, excluding DIFC. These providers must comply with strict KYC and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) standards. 'VARA enforces a stringent compliance framework,' Sajjad explained, adding that licensed VASPs conduct due diligence, identify beneficial owners, monitor transactions, and report suspicious activity. VASPs must also retain transaction records for at least eight years, ensuring transparency and regulatory oversight, he said. However, the entry point is a key feature. 'In Dubai's expensive property market where average villa prices hit AED 6 million ($1.6 million), the AED 2,000 ($545) minimum investment represents a 99.97 per cent reduction in entry costs' Varghese said, adding that his opens premium real estate to investors previously priced out of the market. 'The structure appeals primarily to smaller retail investors,' he explained. 'Tokenization democratizes access, allowing middle-class or retail investors to own fractions of premium properties.' According to Sajjad, this model targets investors who are either unable or unwilling to purchase properties outright. Ownership per individual is capped at 20 per cent of any single property. Mues further outlined several advantages of tokenised investment compared to traditional buying. 'One of the most transformative benefits of tokenised real estate is the ability to split property into fractional shares, greatly improving liquidity in a traditionally illiquid market,' she said, adding that these tokens can be traded on secondary markets, offering flexibility in exiting positions. Additionally, lower capital requirements are another major advantage. This approach allow younger generations to 'get on the property ladder' in a very different and more accessible way than their parents, Mues said. Moreover, transaction speed is also improved. 'Smart contracts and digital workflows used on tokenised real estate platforms to automate verification and execution of deals do away with the need for involving numerous intermediaries in the real estate transaction process,' she noted. Another advantage is that transparency and security are built into the blockchain infrastructure. 'Every token transaction is recorded on an immutable distributed ledger, bringing a level of transparency and security to real estate deals that traditional methods have struggled to match,' Mues said, adding that blockchain's cryptographic protocols address fraud risks and create a single, verifiable 'source of truth.' How much does it cost to invest in tokenized Dubai property? Investing in tokenised property comes with defined costs. According to Sajjad, investors pay a 2 per cent fee on the amount invested, a 1 per cent exit fee when selling, and a 0.5 per cent annual management fee. If the property appreciates in value, a capital appreciation fee of up to 15 per cent may apply. Tokenised transactions also benefit from a reduced DLD fee — 2 per cent instead of the traditional 4 per cent. 'Automation reduces the need for middlemen,' Varghese said, adding fewer intermediaries means faster and more cost-effective deals. Dubai's real estate market recorded AED 66.8 billion in sales in May 2025, indicating strong investor confidence. 'The robust traditional sales activity creates ideal conditions for tokenization,' he explained, adding that this shows that the market can absorb this new method of investment without disruption. The DLD projects that tokenised assets could make up 7 per cent of the market by 2033 — equivalent to AED60 billion ($16 billion). What are some potential challenges that could arise with tokenized real estate? Despite the potential, challenges remain. Varghese cautioned that 'market liquidity issues remain a major concern even in Dubai. Early tokenized real estate platforms globally struggle with low trading volumes, wide bid-ask spreads, and limited secondary markets.' Mues also noted that investors give up some autonomy. 'since ownership is fractional and decisions like selling are often made by majority vote, investors must be willing to compromise on autonomy.' Although the system uses blockchain infrastructure, transactions currently take place in UAE Dirhams. 'At present, crypto purchases are pegged to fiat currencies, and fractional ownership is likely to become a growth segment within the residential sector within Dubai' Sajjad said, adding that as regulations evolve, crypto payments may be integrated. Token prices are set in AED or USD and pegged to real-time conversion rates, ensuring price stability even if crypto is introduced later. Currently focused on residential property, tokenization could soon extend to commercial and industrial sectors, according to Varghese. 'All three types of real estate will play a role in tokenization expansion,' he said, adding, the real 'game-changer' lies in capital-intensive projects such as infrastructure and data centres. 'This means tokenization could enable ownership of massive projects that traditionally required hundreds of millions or billions in capital—previously limiting participation to sovereign wealth funds, major developers, or large institutions.' Dubai's strategic positioning a major benefit for property tokenization Dubai's strategic position and development pipeline make it well suited for this kind of innovation, Varghese explained, adding that the emirate's infrastructure connects three continents and benefits from government backing.. However, he noted that mainstream adoption will depend on several factors such as liquidity infrastructure, regulatory clarity, market education, institutional adoption, and global platform integration. 'Dubai's pilot represents a critical first step, but mainstream adoption requires addressing the fundamental liquidity challenges that have plagued tokenized real estate platforms, alongside continued regulatory support, technological improvements, and broader market education globally,' he said. Mues believes the long-term implications could be far-reaching. 'Dubai is clearly positioning itself at the forefront of integrating crypto and blockchain technology into the real estate sector. It is not hard to imagine a future Dubai where the majority, If not all real estate transactions will occur on secure blockchain systems, involving the use of smart contracts and digital land registries, alongside tokenisation of title (whether fractionalised or not),' she said, adding that legal changes will likely define how smart contracts can constitute binding agreements. Echoing the sentiment, Sajjad said: 'Dubai and the UAE is always at the forefront of embracing cutting-edge technologies and with a dynamic, multinational and growing population, this is likely to be a significant segment of the market in the future.' 'While still in its early stages, Dubai's strategic positioning, openness to digital innovation, and investor-friendly climate suggest that real estate tokenistion has the potential to become a major investment channel in the region, for both local and international retail investors,' he concluded.

IKEA UAE announces massive 50% off discount on storage solutions
IKEA UAE announces massive 50% off discount on storage solutions

Arabian Business

time39 minutes ago

  • Arabian Business

IKEA UAE announces massive 50% off discount on storage solutions

IKEA has announced discounts of up to 50 per cent on storage solutions across its UAE stores and online platform, running until July 6. The promotion covers wardrobes, chests of drawers, and shoe cabinets, available through both physical stores and the company's online portal at The retailer has structured the offer as a limited-time IKEA Family promotion, targeting customers seeking home storage upgrades. View this post on Instagram A post shared by IKEA UAE (@ikeauae) Blue Rewards members receive extra 10% cashback on IKEA storage sale Blue Rewards members receive an additional 10 per cent cashback on items included in the sale, extending the value proposition for participating customers. The promotion targets customers looking to maximise space or update room aesthetics through storage solutions. All IKEA stores in the UAE will participate in the sale, alongside the online shopping platform. Customers can contact IKEA for further information through the toll-free number 800 IKEA (800 4532). The sale period spans 18 days, concluding on July 6. IKEA has positioned the promotion as an opportunity for customers to combine style and value in their home storage upgrades. The retailer operates both in-store and online channels for customer access to the discounted products.

UAE: Ajman opens new paid parking zones from today
UAE: Ajman opens new paid parking zones from today

Khaleej Times

timean hour ago

  • Khaleej Times

UAE: Ajman opens new paid parking zones from today

Starting from Saturday, June 21, new paid parking areas have opened up in Ajman. The Ajman municipality announced on X that 1,263 new paid parking spaces have been activated across key streets in the city. The paid parking spaces are on Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi Street (Garden City Towers), Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Nuaimi Street (Ajman Pearl Towers), Al-Baraa bin Malik Street, and Osama bin Zaid Street. The new parking areas have been opened as part of the department's efforts to regulate parking usage and ensure smooth traffic flow across the Emirate. ذعÙ�Ù� اÙ�دائرة عÙ� ذÙ�عÙ�Ù� 1,263 Ù�Ù�Ù�Ù�Ù�ا Ù�Ù� شارع اÙ�Ø´Ù�Ø® عÙ�ار بÙ� Ø­Ù�Ù�د اÙ�Ù�عÙ�Ù�Ù� (أبراج جاردÙ� سÙ�ذÙ�)Ø� Ù�شارع اÙ�Ø´Ù�Ø® راشد بÙ� سعÙ�د اÙ�Ù�عÙ�Ù�Ù� (أبراج Ù�ؤÙ�ؤة عجÙ�اÙ�)Ø� Ù�شارع اÙ�براء بÙ� Ù�اÙ�Ù�Ø� Ù�شارع أساÙ�Ø© بÙ� زÙ�دØ� Ù�ذÙ�Ù� ابذداءÙ� Ù�Ù� Ù�Ù�Ù� اÙ�سبذ اÙ�Ù�Ù�اÙ�Ù� 21 Ù�Ù�Ù�Ù�Ù� 2025Ø� ضÙ�Ù� جÙ�Ù�دÙ�ا Ù�ذÙ�ظÙ�Ù� اسذخداÙ� اÙ�Ù�Ù�اÙ�Ù� Ù�ذحÙ�Ù�Ù�â�¦ — بÙ�دÙ�Ø© عجÙ�اÙ� (@AjmanMun) June 20, 2025 Parking is free on Fridays and public holidays in Ajman. Earlier this month, parking was made free during the Eid Al Adha holidays from Thursday, June 5 to Sunday, June 8, 2025.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store