RAS AL KHAIMAH, United Arab Emirates--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone [RAK FTZ] – one of the fastest-growing and most cost-effective free trade zones in the UAE, today announced that it will be hosting the World Free Zone Convention [WFZC] in November 2010. This is the first-of-its-kind free zone convention to be held in the Middle East.

To be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Ras Al-Khaimah and his Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, the two-day conference and exhibition will be held on November 2 and 3, 2010 at Al Hamra Convention Centre & Hamra Hotels & Resorts in RAK.

RAK FTZ will also be the Platinum Sponsor of the two-day conference and exhibition. This year’s convention marks the tenth anniversary of both WFZC and RAK FTZ. Over 200 delegates from various free zones across the globe are expected to take part in WFZC, which will be held under the theme ‘Gathering Global Support For Free Zone Industry’.

WFZC 2010 will be held under the slogan: “Harnessing economic zones worldwide to the cause of economic recovery, dynamic growth and strengthened world trade.”

This was announced at a press conference held in RAK today, attended by His Highness Sheikh Faisal Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAK FTZ, Oussama El Omari, CEO of RAK FTZ, Graham Mather, Chairman of WFZC, and Maryam Al Murshedi Al Shehhi, Deputy Director General of RAK FTZ.

In his comments, H.H. Sheikh Faisal Bin Saqr Al Qasimi said: “RAK is privileged to be hosting and sponsoring the WFZC. This is the first time a convention of such stature is being held in RAK and is an important milestone for both RAK and RAK FTZ. We will utilise this unique chance to review the successes achieved in the past decade and set benchmarks for the conventions to come.”

In his address, Mr Oussama El Omari said: “This year RAK FTZ marks its 10^th anniversary and what better way to mark this than hosting and sponsoring the 10^th edition of WFZC here in RAK. We are extremely proud of our achievements in this last decade and we truly live up to our slogan -- The Home of Business.”

He added: “Even in the extremely challenging 2009, registrations and company revenue in the RAK FTZ have grown by 10 and 11 per cent respectively. And we forecast 2,250 additional companies in 2010, which speaks a lot about our vision. We are confident that the WFZC 2010 will offer a one-of-its-kind opportunity for participants from various parts of the globe to explore the immense growth potential of free trade zones and help learn new initiatives that will bring economic and trade development all around.”

Highlighting the details of the convention, Mr Graham Mather said: “We have come a long way since the first WFZC convention in London in June 2001 and are privileged to bring the 2010 convention to RAK, which has carved a niche with its proactive growth and expansion strategies. During WFZC 2010, we are inviting several multinationals who will offer their valuable feedback on their experiences in free zones. Similarly, we will also look at explaining the various benefits accrued to investors if they are part of the free zone community and ways to best utilise the zones.”

The conference will also look into relations and strategies between the various zones, government authorities as well as private companies. Case studies of various sectors and companies will also be discussed during the forum. The second day of the conference will examine the current issues affecting free zones across different regions.

“As a facilitator, we will look at steps to help foster the image of zones and their contribution to the global economy,” said Mr Mather, adding the early bird registration period ends on 30 September. Details about the convention, hotel accommodation and airport transfers are available on www.freezones.org and www.wfzc2010.com.

*Source: ME NewsWire

View this release online: http://www.me-newswire.com/news/2160

For more information About Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone please visit: http://www.rakftz.com/en

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