Ras Al Khaimah now hosts more than 700 US-linked companies within its economic zones, reflecting strong demand for its industrial and technology infrastructure. The emirate’s Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) has seen client numbers rise by an average of 28% annually since 2021.

Occupancy across RAKEZ’s economic zones has reached approximately 90%, signaling tight capacity in its commercial and industrial facilities. This growth occurs alongside the expansion of Innovation City, the UAE’s first AI-powered free zone, which targets emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, Web3, and robotics.

What the Numbers Show

The high occupancy rate of 90% combined with a 28% annual growth in client numbers suggests that RAKEZ is operating near capacity while still attracting significant new business. This divergence indicates that the emirate’s recent infrastructure expansions, including Innovation City, are critical to absorbing continued inflow without diluting service quality or facility availability.

Sector Expansion and Infrastructure

RAKEZ currently supports more than 50,000 businesses from over 100 countries across more than 50 industries. Recent expansions by US firms include:

• H.B. Fuller establishing a 15,000-square-meter manufacturing hub for the Middle East and North Africa.
• FedEx setting up an in-house customs-clearance facility.
• Flexitallic investing in a modernized gasket-manufacturing operation.

Innovation City complements this industrial base by providing specialized infrastructure for technology companies. It offers on-chain licensing, a sovereign AI data center, and streamlined corporate banking access.

Diplomatic Outreach

A Ras Al Khaimah delegation will visit Miami, Detroit, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, and New York City from September 20 through October 10. The mission aims to strengthen ties with US organizations and state officials to explore investment and partnership opportunities in both established industries and emerging technologies.