RAKEZ Highlights Industrial Strengths During Strategic Business Mission To Russia

Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) recently completed a successful business mission to Russia. This visit was part of the official UAE delegation led by the Ministry of Economy. The trip aimed to strengthen strategic ties with Russian industrial stakeholders and highlight Ras Al Khaimah's growing reputation as a regional hub for manufacturing and logistics.

During the visit, RAKEZ Chief Commercial Officer Anas Hijjawi participated in the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2025. He was a panellist in a session titled ‘Effective Non-Financial Support Measures for Industry’. Hijjawi discussed Ras Al Khaimah’s journey to becoming an industrial powerhouse and RAKEZ’s role in supporting manufacturers and exporters with a future-ready ecosystem.

Ramy Jallad, Group CEO of RAKEZ, commented on the significance of the trip. "Russia continues to be an important partner in our global network, and this visit was a strong step forward in deepening our industrial ties. The UAE today stands as Russia’s primary foreign economic partner in the Arab world, with bilateral trade exceeding USD 10 billion in 2024 reflecting the growing ties and business potential between the two nations. Against this backdrop, RAKEZ is playing a key role in strengthening these relations, particularly for industrial and logistical players. Through our tailor-made ecosystem, we are ready to support Russian companies that are looking to scale and expand into the UAE and beyond from Ras Al Khaimah."

The RAKEZ team also engaged in several B2B meetings with companies from various sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, technology, F&B, machinery, equipment, and chemicals. They met delegations from Russian industrial hubs like Ulyanovsk region and Republic of Udmurtia. These interactions aimed at exploring collaboration opportunities.

Additionally, RAKEZ representatives met Aleksandr Kalinin, President of OPORA—a national organisation supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Russia. This meeting focused on exploring deeper collaboration opportunities to empower Russian entrepreneurs. The team also attended a Russian SME dinner hosted by OPORA, which gathered key stakeholders from Russia’s SME ecosystem.

Anas Hijjawi highlighted RAKEZ's tailored industrial zones and streamlined business set-up processes during his panel discussion at SPIEF 2025. He emphasised their commitment to sustainability and alignment with national strategies like Operation 300bn. These efforts underscore the UAE’s push towards industrial diversification and economic resilience.

Russian Enterprises Thriving Under RAKEZ

Around 1,200 Russian enterprises operate successfully within the RAKEZ community. Notable names include law firm EPAM; metal repairer WGS Middle East; autonomous vehicle converter BaseTrack; and wire manufacturer Aeris Stream Copper. These businesses have thrived with support from RAKEZ's economic zone.

This strategic roadshow reflects RAKEZ's ongoing efforts to attract global industrial players while fostering cross-border collaboration. It offers international investors access to a cost-effective, well-connected business environment focused on growth in Ras Al Khaimah.

With inputs from WAM