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Zawya
11 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
RAKEZ to showcase UAE business opportunities at Egypt's premier construction expo
Ras Al Khaimah: Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), one of the fastest-growing business hubs in the region, is set to participate in the fifth edition of Big 5 Construct Egypt, the country's largest and most influential construction industry event, taking place from 17 to 19 June 2025 at the Egypt International Exhibition Center (EIEC) in Cairo. With Egypt's construction sector witnessing rapid growth, many companies are seeking new regional opportunities. RAKEZ, based in the UAE, offers a strategic platform for Egyptian businesses aiming to expand into the Gulf market—providing streamlined set-up, cost-effective infrastructure, and access to major development zones. The exhibition will bring together a wide spectrum of industry leaders from fields such as building materials, construction tools, MEP services, HVAC-R systems, digital technologies, solar energy, interior finishes, and urban design. RAKEZ's participation underlines its ongoing commitment to fostering international collaboration and facilitating investment flows across the region. Ras Al Khaimah itself is increasingly recognised as a global hub for infrastructure and real estate development, with major initiatives such as the USD 5 billion Wynn Resort and the Etihad Rail network drawing significant attention. The emirate is currently advancing over 1,000 active projects valued at more than USD 75 billion. Its strategic location, offering seamless connectivity to regional and global trade routes via world-class ports, enhances its appeal to businesses operating across the construction supply chain. By aligning with the UAE and Egypt's shared focus on infrastructure, industrial growth, and entrepreneurship, RAKEZ provides Egyptian businesses with a practical, well-supported platform to expand into the Gulf and beyond. RAKEZ is home to over 30,000 multinational and regional companies, including several international firms operating in the construction sector. These include Peikko Group, Sobha Modular, Hira Industries, Fala Group, and Siti BT Middle East, all of which benefit from the zone's tailored infrastructure and supportive ecosystem. Their presence highlights RAKEZ's strength as a regional base for construction-related enterprises. Parallely, nearly 1,500 Egyptian entrepreneurs have established their operations within RAKEZ, further reinforcing the robust business ties between Egypt and the UAE. During Big 5 Construct Egypt, RAKEZ will launch a special UAE business set-up package designed exclusively for exhibition attendees. Priced at USD 3,300, the offer includes a UAE residence visa along with a comprehensive range of benefits. These include fast-tracked company registration, access to flexible and cost-efficient facilities such as coworking spaces, offices, warehouses, and development-ready land, as well as end-to-end administrative support through a unified digital platform. Investors can also opt for multi-year packages that support long-term business sustainability and provide access to key regional and global markets via Ras Al Khaimah's strategic trade network. Commenting on RAKEZ's participation, Group CEO Ramy Jallad said, 'Ras Al Khaimah has emerged as a compelling destination for global construction players, driven by a wave of large-scale infrastructure developments and investor-friendly policies. At Big 5 Construct Egypt, we look forward to engaging with forward-thinking businesses seeking to be part of this growth story. With hundreds of Egyptian entrepreneurs already thriving in RAKEZ, we are committed to building new bridges of collaboration and supporting the next wave of construction leaders entering the UAE market.' Visitors are encouraged to meet RAKEZ representatives and explore this exclusive opportunity at Hall 4 – Stand D35, from 17 to 19 June 2025 at the Egypt International Exhibition Centre. For more information, please contact: Cleo Eleazar, Public Relations & Events Manager, RAKEZ Email: About Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ): RAKEZ is a powerhouse business and industrial hub established by the Government of Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates. It currently hosts over 30,000 companies coming from over 100+ countries and operating in more than 50 industries. RAKEZ offers entrepreneurs, startups, SMEs and manufacturers a wide-range of solutions, including free zone and non-free zone licences, customisable facilities, and first-class services provided in a one-stop shop. Furthermore, RAKEZ has specialised zones that are tailored to specific needs of investors: Al Nakheel and Al Hamra Business Zones for commercial and service companies; Al Ghail, Al Hamra and Al Hulaila Industrial Zones for manufacturers and industrialists; and an Academic Zone for educational providers. A leading economic zone, RAKEZ aims to continue attracting diversified investment opportunities that will contribute to the economic growth of Ras Al Khaimah.
Zawya
22-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Savills Riyadh emerges as a leading global business hub amid strong office demand, reveals Savills
Riyadh's office market continues its upward trajectory, with robust demand, record occupancy, and growing international interest that is positioning the Saudi capital as a key regional business hub, according to Savills latest Riyadh Office Market Report Q1 2025. The report highlights that average prime office rents in Riyadh rose by 2.5% quarter-on-quarter and 12% year-on-year, with occupancy rates holding steady at 98% since Q4 2024, a testament to sustained business confidence and limited availability of high-quality stock. The surge in demand is being driven by increased activity across the consulting, legal, IT, and pharmaceutical sectors, with new market entrants accounting for 50% of Q1 transactions. Over 70% of enquiries were for spaces under 1,000 sq m, pointing to rising interest in flexible, efficient workplaces. Riyadh also scored highly in the Savills Global Prime Office Costs Q1 2025 report, ranking among the top ten most expensive prime office markets worldwide, alongside global cities such as Dubai, London, New York, and Hong Kong. The city recorded a 5.2% increase in total prime office occupancy costs, the highest growth rate among all surveyed markets. This metric reflects the total cost to occupiers, including base rent, fit-out expenses, service charges, and related costs, offering a fuller picture of leasing expenditure. The increase reinforces Riyadh's ascent as a destination of choice for multinational headquarters and cross-border investment. 'We're witnessing a pivotal moment for Riyadh,' said Ramzi Darwish, Head of Saudi Arabia, Savills Middle East. 'With demand outpacing supply and international occupiers continuing to expand their regional footprint, the capital is fast emerging as a preferred base for global business. Combined with landmark developments, regulatory reforms, and infrastructure investments like the Riyadh Metro, the city is well on its way to becoming one of the world's most competitive office markets.' New occupier arrivals in Q1 2025 include high-profile global players such as Salesforce, PepsiCo, Kaplan, and APEX, taking the number of licensed regional headquarters in Riyadh to over 540, surpassing Vision 2030 targets well ahead of schedule. Looking ahead, while 2025 is expected to see limited new supply, more than 900,000 sq m of Grade A space is set to be delivered by end-2026. Major developments such as Diriyah Gate and Prince Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City (Misk) are expected to further transform the capital's commercial landscape. With credit rating agency S&P Global recently upgrading Saudi Arabia's credit rating to A+, market confidence is expected to remain strong, underpinned by steady economic diversification and continued investor interest.
Trade Arabia
21-05-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Qatar launches $1bn investment incentives scheme
In a strategic move to drive investment growth and accelerate economic diversification, Invest Qatar has launched a $1 billion incentives programme, aimed at strengthening Qatar's position as a leading global business hub. Unveiled at the 5th edition of Qatar Economic Forum, the programme offers a comprehensive suite of incentive packages tailored for both local and international investors. These incentives provide financial support covering up to 40% of eligible local investment expenses over five years, including business setup costs, construction, office leases, equipment and employee-related expenses. Targeting key growth sectors identified in the Third National Development Strategy (NDS3), namely advanced industries, logistics, IT and digital and financial services, the incentive programme will be rolled out in phases. The first phase introduces four off-the-shelf incentive packages designed to support new investments, facilitate the expansion and digitisation of existing facilities, create high-skilled employment opportunities, promote knowledge transfer and foster an innovative, tech-driven ecosystem. The Advanced Industries Package focuses on high-value, technology-intensive sectors such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, automotive and electronics, fostering innovation and value-added production. The Logistics Package is aimed at transforming Qatar into a leading global hub for logistics, re-export and distribution by promoting investments in infrastructure, automation and advanced logistics services. The Technology Package seeks to nurture a dynamic digital economy by attracting investments in cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven innovation. Meanwhile, the Lusail Financial Services Package is designed to strengthen Qatar's financial ecosystem by advancing asset management, insurance, wealth management and financial technology (fintech) innovation. It also promotes the establishment of offices in the city of Lusail, Qatar's premier financial and business district. The incentives programme is guided by a transparent set of eligibility criteria, including a minimum investment size of QAR25 million over five years, job creation targets and a track record of operation in relevant sectors. These parameters ensure a streamlined and transparent evaluation process, expediting application reviews and approvals. Investors can access more information and apply for the incentive packages through the Invest Qatar Gateway, the country's first digital investor platform, offering a seamless application submission. Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of the Advisory Council, said: 'This initiative is a renewed testament to our unwavering commitment to create a world-class investment environment, that not only drives sustainable economic growth but also delivers long-term value to our partners. By aligning incentives with the Third National Development Strategy, we aim to attract and support investments that accelerate the development and growth of Qatar's strategic economic clusters.' Sheikh Ali Alwaleed Al-Thani, CEO, Invest Qatar, said: 'The launch of this programme marks a strategic step forward in achieving the goals of NDS3. It reinforces our commitment to support high-potential businesses that share our national vision for innovation, diversification and sustainable growth. By addressing the evolving needs of investors, the incentive packages are tailored to unlock growth across today's most dynamic sectors, while empowering the private sector, contributing to a more resilient, competitive and business-friendly landscape in Qatar.' The incentives programme builds on Qatar's National Incentives Framework, complementing the country's continued efforts to improve its business environment, through strategic policy reforms, new digital services and streamlined licensing procedures across multiple sectors. In 2024, Qatar attracted $2.74 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) through 241 projects, which created 9,348 jobs. The year also saw a rise in Qatar's international competitiveness, with the country climbing to 11th in the IMD World Competitiveness Index 2024, improving to 28th in the Global Economic Freedom Index and advancing to 24th in the DHL Connectedness Index. Notable improvements were also seen in logistics and infrastructure, with Qatar ranking 14th in the Logistics Competence sub-index and 19th in the Logistics Infrastructure sub-index of the World Bank's Logistics Performance Index. – TradeArabia News Service
