RAKEZ Expands UK Investment Connections

RAKEZ engages UK investors in London and Manchester, showcasing UAE business opportunities.

By Patricia Cullen | Feb 26, 2026
Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ)

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur United Kingdom, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

A high-level delegation from Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) recently visited the United Kingdom, engaging British investors and reinforcing its position as a strategic gateway to the UAE and wider regional markets. The delegation’s itinerary included meetings with investors, industry leaders, and business stakeholders across London and Manchester, highlighting RAKEZ’s commitment to strengthening UK-UAE commercial ties.

London Engagements Highlight Middle East Opportunities

In London, RAKEZ sponsored the British Chamber of Commerce Dubai’s (BCCD) business briefing, titled “Doing Business in Dubai and Northern Emirates”. The event brought together British investors and companies exploring opportunities in the Middle East.

During the session, Holly Garforth, Head of Business Development at RAKEZ, participated in a panel discussion where she offered practical insights on setting up and relocating businesses within Ras Al Khaimah’s plug-and-play ecosystem. Her contributions focused on guiding investors through the practical steps and regulatory considerations involved in establishing a presence in the emirate, emphasizing the flexibility and efficiency offered by RAKEZ’s business infrastructure.

Manchester: Making the Right Business Setup Choice

The roadshow continued in Manchester, where the RAKEZ delegation conducted discussions focused on Making the Right Business Setup Choice in the UAE. The session offered UK-based companies clarity on legal structures, licensing options, and operational frameworks available within Ras Al Khaimah.

Alongside the seminars, RAKEZ representatives conducted targeted B2B meetings across both cities, engaging stakeholders from advanced manufacturing, supply chain, and professional services sectors. These interactions enabled RAKEZ to showcase the benefits of establishing operations in its economic zone, including cost-efficient facilities, logistical advantages, and scalable solutions for SMEs and industrial companies.

Strategic Insights from RAKEZ Leadership

Commenting on the success of the roadshow, RAKEZ Group CEO Ramy Jallad said:

“The UK continues to be a priority market for RAKEZ, with strong interest from British companies seeking scalable, cost-effective bases for regional and global expansion. Our presence in London and Manchester allowed us to engage directly with decision-makers, understand their ambitions, and demonstrate how Ras Al Khaimah offers the infrastructure, regulatory clarity, and connectivity needed to grow with confidence.”

RAKEZ currently hosts more than 3,600 British investors operating across both SME and industrial sectors. These companies leverage the economic zone’s comprehensive support services and sector-specific facilities to expand their operations, manage costs, and access wider regional markets.

The UK initiative is part of RAKEZ’s broader international outreach strategy, aimed at deepening commercial ties and attracting quality investment. By engaging directly with potential investors in key global markets, the economic zone seeks to strengthen the economic bridge between Ras Al Khaimah and the United Kingdom, fostering mutually beneficial partnerships and long-term business growth.

Through its proactive engagement in London and Manchester, RAKEZ highlighted its advantages as a strategic business hub. Its plug-and-play infrastructure, regulatory transparency, and connectivity to the broader Gulf and Middle East regions were central themes, illustrating how companies can efficiently establish operations and scale across borders.

In addition to fostering investment, the roadshow reinforced RAKEZ’s role as a knowledge-sharing partner for British companies. By providing guidance on business setup, operational strategies, and sector-specific opportunities, the delegation emphasized the practical benefits of choosing Ras Al Khaimah as a base for regional and global expansion.

The outreach reflects RAKEZ’s ongoing commitment to positioning the emirate as an attractive destination for international investors seeking reliable, cost-effective, and growth-oriented business environments. The combination of direct engagement, tailored guidance, and sector-focused discussions underscores the economic zone’s strategic approach to building long-term relationships with UK stakeholders and supporting their ambitions in the UAE and beyond.

As global businesses increasingly seek agile and scalable platforms for expansion, initiatives such as this UK roadshow demonstrate how RAKEZ is actively bridging markets and facilitating business growth through engagement, clarity, and infrastructure support. By connecting directly with decision-makers and industry leaders, RAKEZ continues to reinforce its reputation as a dynamic gateway for British companies exploring opportunities in the Middle East.

A high-level delegation from Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) recently visited the United Kingdom, engaging British investors and reinforcing its position as a strategic gateway to the UAE and wider regional markets. The delegation’s itinerary included meetings with investors, industry leaders, and business stakeholders across London and Manchester, highlighting RAKEZ’s commitment to strengthening UK-UAE commercial ties.

London Engagements Highlight Middle East Opportunities

In London, RAKEZ sponsored the British Chamber of Commerce Dubai’s (BCCD) business briefing, titled “Doing Business in Dubai and Northern Emirates”. The event brought together British investors and companies exploring opportunities in the Middle East.

During the session, Holly Garforth, Head of Business Development at RAKEZ, participated in a panel discussion where she offered practical insights on setting up and relocating businesses within Ras Al Khaimah’s plug-and-play ecosystem. Her contributions focused on guiding investors through the practical steps and regulatory considerations involved in establishing a presence in the emirate, emphasizing the flexibility and efficiency offered by RAKEZ’s business infrastructure.

Related Content

Business News

Marc McKee and the Long Game of Trust-Led Brand Building

In an attention-driven creator economy that rewards speed and spectacle, Marc McKee has taken a markedly different path. The Northern Ireland–based entrepreneur and Chartered Marketer is the founder of Renatus Collective, a brand group built not on viral moments or trend-led launches, but on structure, credibility, and long-term trust. McKee’s approach reflects a deliberate rejection […]
Business News

Why Custom Packaging Is Becoming Part of Retention Planning

Ask most early-stage ecommerce founders what fuels growth, and you’ll hear the same answers: ads, influencers, and email flows. Packaging rarely makes the list. But smart founders are starting to rethink that. Because when your customer finally receives the product, Packaging is often one of the few physical brand touchpoints a company can directly manage. […]