Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (Rakez) explored the future of manufacturing and the trends impacting the sector at a key summit in London last month.

Rakez supported Financial Times (FT) in bringing this year’s Future of Manufacturing Summit, one of the most significant events in the manufacturing landscape.

With an audience of over 200 manufacturing leaders, investors and innovators, the event underlined game-changing technologies and trends impacting ‘Industry 4.0’.

Ramy Jallad, group CEO of Rakez, RAK Free Trade Zone, and RAK Investment Authority, joined industry thought leaders in a discussion that centred on creating successful environments for manufacturing innovation.

“The fourth industrial revolution is already happening. So as an investment hub that caters to over 600 manufacturing companies, the question is: how do we effectively support these businesses moving forward?” said Jallad.

“Participating at the Summit helped us gain fresh ideas and concepts that support us in our commitment to developing fit-for-purpose infrastructure and smart customer-centric business solutions for global manufacturing companies.”

The economic zone also took the opportunity to connect with potential British investors. “There are over 5,000 British companies operating in the UAE and we are proud to say that almost 900 of them have chosen Rakez. They are in fact one of the most represented nationalities in Rakez at 7.4 per cent. The renowned tea maker Ahmad Tea, Vesuvius manufacturer of insulation smelters, furnaces refractory materials and precast buildings, as well as aircraft cabin simulator manufacturer Spatial Composite Solutions are among the giant British industrialists operating in our specialised industrial zones,” Jallad commented.

Rakez has also played a key role in facilitating the growth of global manufacturers in the emirate such as: Knauf, manufacturer of plaster, gypsumboard and drywall; Nihon Mesh Kogyo, manufacturer of wire mesh demisters for seawater desalination plants; and International Armoured Group (IAG), one of the largest armoured vehicle manufacturers in the world.