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20 April 2023

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES AND RAS AL KHAIMAH

byGulay Avci / Regional Manager of RAK Free Trade Zone

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The stability, security and safety of the UAE, combined with its infrastructure, logistics services and strategic geographic location, make it a perfect launch pad to a wide variety of markets across the world.

▸Europe

▸Middle East

▸Africa & South Asia

WELCOME TO THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

31% of World’s Population

11% of World’s GDP

Within Easy Flight

76% of World’s Population

53% of World’s GDP

4 hours 8 hours

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WORLD-CLASS INFRASTRUCTURE

Proven infrastructure in the UAE eases supply chain barriers. UAE has extremely well developed transport, water, electricity, and telecommunications infrastructure. In addition, the UAE is investing USD $81 Billion in additional enhancements to its world class infrastructure.

USD $36 Billion▸Abu Dhabi - Khalifa Port▸Dubai - Jebel Ali▸RAK - Saqr Port

USD $44 Billion▸DWC Al Maktoum▸DXB Expansion▸RAK Airport

USD $11 Billion▸Etihad Rail

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TOP GLOBAL RANKING FOR LOGISTICS

The UAE is currently ranked 17th in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI), and ranked

within the top 20 in all six LPI categories.

Top 20

The Logistics Performance Index (LPI) is a benchmarking tool based on a worldwide survey ranking the logistics “friendliness” of the countries heavily involved in trade.

LPI Categories

LPI Rank Country Region

1 Singapore SE Asia2 Hong Kong SE Asia3 Finland Europe4 Germany Europe5 Netherlands Europe6 Denmark Europe7 Belgium Europe8 Japan SE Asia9 United States N. America

10 United Kingdom Europe11 Austria Europe12 France Europe13 Sweden Europe14 Canada N. America15 Luxembourg Europe16 Switzerland Europe17 UAE Middle East18 Australia SE Asia19 Taiwan China SE Asia20 Spain Europe

On Time Delivery

Ranked 13th Ranked 15th Ranked 15th

Ranked 17th Ranked 17th Ranked 18th

Customs and Border Efficiency

Ease of Arranging Shipments

Track & TraceQuality of

Logistics ServicesQuality of

Infrastructure

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RANKED NO. 1 AMONG EMERGING MARKETS

LPI Rank Country Economic Group17 UAE GCC33 Qatar GCC37 Saudi Arabia GCC48 Bahrain GCC62 Oman GCC70 Kuwait GCC26 China BRIC45 Brazil BRIC46 India BRIC95 Russia BRIC21 S. Korea MIST27 Turkey MIST47 Mexico MIST59 Indonesia MIST41 Tunisia North Africa50 Morocco North Africa57 Egypt North Africa137 Libya North Africa71 Pakistan South Asia135 Afghanistan South Asia23 South Africa Sub-Saharan Africa108 Ghana Sub-Saharan Africa121 Nigeria Sub-Saharan Africa122 Kenya Sub-Saharan Africa138 Angola Sub-Saharan Africa141 Ethiopia Sub-Saharan Africa

Logistics efficiency makes the UAE the best positioned country to enable companies to enter emerging markets.

Reducing supply chain barriers to trade could increase GDP up to six times more than removing tariffs. The effects of reducing barriers are not gradual; changes occur when tipping points are reached.

Source: World Economic Forum

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STABLE AND DIVERSIFIED BANKING SYSTEM

▸ Financial and monetary stability & sophisticated banking system

▸ Extensive credit facilities

▸ Various choices of financial service providers

▸ 28 foreign international banks

▸ 23 local UAE banks

▸ Sharia compliant Islamic Banking

▸ Multiple currency account options

▸ Non-resident accounts in domestic currency, freely convertible into foreign currency

▸ Offshore accounts

▸ Straightforward process for opening accounts with standard business documents

▸ Valid trade license or certificate of incorporation

▸ Power of attorney or Board resolution

▸ Passports, including resident permits, of key people

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TAX-FREE CORPORATE PROFITS

Only oil, gas and petrochemical companies and branch offices of foreign banks are required to pay taxes

All other corporate profits are tax-free

The UAE has a tax-free policy,

meaning;

No corporate

tax

No salestax

No personal

tax

No withholding

tax

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TAX-FREE CORPORATE PROFITS

▸ Ras Al Khaimah is governed by His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah

▸ Extremely safe, secure and stable emirate; with Fitch rating of A

▸ Very diversified, dynamic economy with free zone opportunities for foreign investment, as well as freeholds and joint ventures

▸ Average GDP growth of 8% annually since 2011

▸ Home to 12,000 international businesses across nine free zone parks

▸ Headquarters to industry leaders such as RAK Ceramics, Julphar Pharmaceuticals and RAK Bank

Emirate Size (km2)

Dubai 3,885

Sharjah  2,590

Ras Al Khaimah  1,684

Fujairah  1,165

Umm Al Quwain 777

Ajman  259

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RAK FREE TRADE ZONE AUTHORITY

▸ The Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ) is a cost-effective gateway for Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and South Asia.

 ▸ RAK FTZ is one of the fastest-growing free zones in the UAE,

with more than 7,500 companies from over 100 countries, representing more than 50 industry sectors.

 ▸ Established in 2000 RAK FTZ provides its clients with a tax-

free environment, fast-track visas, freedom to source labour and materials globally, and ongoing business support services such as advertising, procurement, event management, recruitment and training assistance

 ▸ RAK FTZ provides the same free zone benefits and top-notch

facilities that are available elsewhere in the UAE, but for substantially lower costs, allowing clients to maximise their return on investment.

▸ Ras Al Khaimah offers strategic access to the UAE’s major logistical centers and emerging world markets.

H.H. Sheikh Ahmad Saqer Mohamed Al Qasemi

Chairman, RAK Free Trade ZoneMember of Ruling Family of the

Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah

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RAK FTZ OFFERS NUMEROUS BENEFITS TO ITS CLIENTS

Benefits

100% Ownership

Value-Added Services

Range of Facilities to

Suit Business Need

Flexible Labour

(no quotas)

Visas

Ease & Speed in Registering

Company

No Customs Duty on

Re-Exported Goods

No Taxation

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COMPLETE SOLUTIONS & FACILITIES

▸ Commercial▸ General Trading▸ Consultancy/Service▸ Industrial

Business Licence Legal Entities

▸ Free Zone (FZC/FZE)▸ Foreign Branch▸ Local Branch▸ Foreign Subsidiary

Facilities

▸ Flexi-Desk/Office▸ Standard & Executive

Offices▸ Shell & Core Office▸ Warehouse▸ Land ready for development

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EASE AND SPEED IN REGISTERING A COMPANY

Setting up a business in Ras Al Khaimah is quick and easy. RAK FTZ provides comprehensive packages to get your business up an running in the UAE.

Everything you need to start operations within two weeks.

Submit Documentation▸ Application form▸ List of trade names▸ Project description▸ Other relevant

legal documents

Receive Business License and Lease Deed▸ Fast track service

Open for Business▸ Assistance with visa

process▸ Access to RAK FTZ’s

value added services

Process Payments▸ Cash, 2-3 days▸ Cheque, 4-6 days▸ International transfer, 6-

9 days

Pre-Approval▸ Convenient on-line

application form▸ Affordable packages

starting from US$4000

FZC and FZE Requirements▸ Certificate of Formation▸ Bank letter▸ Associated legal

documents

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SUCCESS STORY FROM FRANCE & BELGIUM

‣ Founded in France in March 1993 with a small workshop of 478 square yards. Now has six factories, 13 manufacturing sites and 28 pallet reconditioning sites, with an annual production of more than 25 million new and reconditioned pallets.

‣ In 2013, achieved a consolidated turnover of €170 million. Now has nearly 1,000 employees and more than 5,500 customers.

‣ Announced that it was expanding to RAK Free Trade Zone in May 2014 after reviewing the free zone’s strategic geographical location, top-notch facilities, award-winning business set-up services and substantially lower set-up costs, allowing for maximum return on investment.

‣ Looking forward to reaching €500 million in the next five years and further expanding its facilities in RAK FTZ.

PGS Group is a French and Belgian-based, global manufacturer of wooden pallets with a Middle East subsidiary in Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone.

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THANK YOUFOR YOURATTENTION