RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone) was formed by merging RAK Free Trade Zone and RAK Investment Authority. It is one of the UAE’s most cost-effective free zones for manufacturing, industrial, and trading businesses. Here is a complete RAKEZ guide.
RAKEZ Overview
RAKEZ is among the largest free zones in the UAE by total companies registered (30,000+ companies). Core advantage: RAKEZ offers competitive licence pricing, abundant industrial land and warehouses, and a location in Ras Al Khaimah — 1 hour from Dubai Airport and 2 hours from Abu Dhabi. RAKEZ zones: RAK Free Zone (for trading and service companies), RAK Industrial City (for manufacturing and industrial), and Al Hamra Industrial Zone (specialised industrial).
RAKEZ Licence Types and Costs
Commercial Licence (Trading): Import, export, and general trading. Starting from AED 7,200/year (flexi-desk package). Service Licence: Professional and consulting services. Starting from AED 6,000/year. Industrial Licence: Manufacturing, processing, and assembly. Starting from AED 9,000/year (includes dedicated industrial unit access). E-Commerce Licence: Online retail and digital commerce. Starting from AED 5,900/year.
RAKEZ Manufacturing Advantage
RAKEZ Industrial City is one of the most cost-effective manufacturing zones in the GCC: Industrial land lease: AED 8–20/sqft/year (vs. AED 35–80 in Dubai industrial zones). Ready-to-use factory units: 500–50,000+ sqm available. Access to deep-water port (Port of Saqr, 30 km from RAKEZ) and Ras Al Khaimah Airport. Free zone manufacturing benefits: 0% export duty, zero quota restrictions. RAKEZ is actively promoted for: building materials, ceramics, pharmaceuticals (with GCC regulatory approvals), food processing, and consumer goods assembly.