RAKEZ — Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone
Published by WHO is WHO in RAKRas Al Khaimah, UAE
The Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone is the official free-zone and economic-zone authority of the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. Founded in 2017 from the merger of RAK FTZ and RAKIA, it now licenses and houses more than 30,000 companies across more than 50 industries — making it one of the largest free zones in the UAE by client count.
The RAKEZ specialised zones
RAKEZ operates five specialised zones across the emirate, each tailored to a specific business activity profile. A single licence application can be matched to the most appropriate zone.
Business Zone
For commercial trading, professional services, e-commerce, and consultancy. Office space and flexi-desk options near RAK city.
Industrial Zone
Light to heavy industrial activities, with warehouses and pre-built units in Al Hamra and Al Hulaila.
Al Hamra Industrial
Established industrial cluster — manufacturing, logistics, building materials, plastics.
Al Ghail Industrial
Heavy industrial site for power-intensive, large-footprint operations including chemicals and steel.
Academic Zone
Universities, training institutes, and education-sector operators with student-visa support.
Media Zone
Specialised activities for media production, content, broadcast, and creative agencies.
Why set up in RAKEZ?
The zone's value proposition is straightforward: lower cost, faster process, full ownership, full UAE access.
100% foreign ownership
No local sponsor or partner required for free-zone entities.
Cost-competitive
Licensing and facility fees are typically lower than Dubai free zones, with no personal income tax.
Fast formation
Most licences are issued within a few business days once KYC documents are in.
Full UAE access
A zone entity can transact across the UAE and the GCC, hire residents, and sponsor visas.
Sector flexibility
More than 50 supported activities — from solo consultants to industrial manufacturers.
One-stop-shop
A single point of contact for licensing, immigration, and facility services.
RAKEZ vs Dubai free zones
| Factor | RAKEZ | Dubai free zones |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign ownership | 100% | 100% |
| Setup cost | Lower | Higher |
| Speed of setup | Fast (days) | Fast (days) |
| Personal income tax | None | None |
| Best for | SMEs, manufacturing, e-commerce, consultants | Sector-specific ecosystems (finance, media, tech) |
| Distance from DXB | ~60–90 minutes by road | 0–45 minutes by road |
Indicative comparison only — exact pricing and timelines vary by licence type, activity, and facility selection. Refer to the official RAKEZ website for current packages.
RAKEZ FAQs
The most common questions about setting up and operating in Ras Al Khaimah's economic zone.
What is RAKEZ?
RAKEZ is the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone — the free zone and economic authority of the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. It was established in 2017 by merging the RAK Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ) and the RAK Investment Authority (RAKIA), and today hosts more than 30,000 companies across 50+ industries.
What does RAKEZ stand for?
RAKEZ stands for Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone. It is the official economic zone authority of the Ras Al Khaimah government and operates multiple specialised free zones across the emirate.
Where is RAKEZ located?
The authority has multiple campuses across Ras Al Khaimah: the Business Zone (general trading and services) near the city, the Industrial Zone in Al Hamra, the Academic Zone, the Al Hulaila Industrial Zone, and the Al Ghail Industrial Zone. Most clients access zone services through a single one-stop-shop.
What types of business licences does RAKEZ offer?
The authority issues commercial, professional/services, industrial, educational, freelance/individual, and e-commerce licences. Each licence type maps to a specific zone, and the authority allows up to several activities under one licence depending on the package selected.
How much does it cost to set up a company in RAKEZ?
Company setup typically starts in the low-thousand-AED range for freelancer or individual licences, and scales up for full commercial or industrial licences with physical office or warehouse space. Final pricing depends on the licence type, number of activities, number of visa quotas, and facility size — the authority publishes packaged pricing tiers for each.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a RAKEZ company?
Yes. Companies established in this free zone allow 100% foreign ownership with no requirement for an Emirati partner or sponsor. There is also no personal income tax, and corporate tax in the UAE applies under the federal regime introduced in 2023.
How long does it take to register a company with RAKEZ?
A standard free zone company can typically be registered and licensed within a few business days once the required documents and KYC information are submitted. Visa processing for owners and employees runs in parallel and adds an additional period for medical, Emirates ID, and visa issuance.
What is the difference between RAKEZ and Dubai free zones?
This economic zone is generally more cost-competitive than Dubai free zones such as DMCC, IFZA, or Meydan, with lower licence and facility fees. Dubai free zones offer larger ecosystems for specific sectors (e.g. media, finance, commodities). For SMEs, manufacturing, e-commerce, and consultants serving the wider UAE, the RAK authority is often the more economical choice.
What industries does RAKEZ support?
The authority supports more than 50 industries including general trading, consulting, e-commerce, education, manufacturing (light and heavy industrial), pharmaceuticals, food and beverage production, building materials, logistics, technology, and media. Specialised industrial zones (Al Hulaila, Al Ghail) cater to heavier industry; the Business and Academic zones cater to services and education.
How do I find businesses based in RAKEZ?
WHO is WHO in RAK publishes long-form video interviews with business leaders and entrepreneurs across Ras Al Khaimah, including many companies licensed through the zone. The platform is the most direct way to see who is operating in RAK, what they do, and how to reach them.
See who's building businesses in RAK
Long-form video interviews with founders, executives, and consultants — many of them operating through RAKEZ.
Browse RAK leader interviews