The tourism sector plays an important role in the economic growth of the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. In the coming years, it will lead to the growth of the tourism industry significantly, which will enhance the recreational facilities for residents and visitors to the emirate. Based on the existing developments in the emirate and the effort to promote it as a favorite tourism destination, the Government of Ras Al Khaimah has nominated the Department of Economic Development to further promote tourism by creating a specialized department which will support the tourism sector in Ras Al Khaimah. Tourism Promotion and Support Administration.
Envisioning RAK
Pathways to success Progress achieved under any circumstances is sweet; but when it comes amidst adverse conditions and situations, it is indeed sweeter. Ras Al Khaimah was all geared up for hosting the America’s Cup early next year, but factors other than merit and sportsmanship saw to it that it was not to be. Corporate rivalry and political opportunism combined to create a dishonest liaison that took the glory away from the naturally beautiful emirate. But that didn’t mean the end of the dream for Ras Al Khaimah. America’s Cup was only one chapter of the emirate’s illustrious story of tourism development and the authorities are going full steam ahead with their concerted move to position Ras Al Khaimah on the global tourism map.
addition of hotel rooms, shopping facilities and creation of new tourism assets is growing apace and the emirate has packed the coming season with an impressive range of offerings. Ras Al Khaimah is set to reap the full benefits of its new position as the fastest growing tourism destination in the Arabian Gulf region and the numbers so far present compelling argument in support of the strategy being pursued by the government and the emirate’s tourism authorities.
The development of tourism infrastructure, including the
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Contents
Page 12
Cover Story
‘Tourisms’ RAK’s diverse strategy to lure tourists
Page 6
Page 36
Page 60
Geared Up
Sport
Sagas Precious
Page 16
Page 40
RAK gears up to face 2010
Awafi Festival
Desert festival beckons
Try Ballooning
RAK’s own jewellery designer shares some of her creative ideas
WOW RAK to open in Spring Page 42
Industrious RAK Page 46
RAK on a Roll Page 52
American University of RAK Page 18 4
New hotels for RAK
Page 54
Business and Life
Page 62
Culture Canvas
Artist and writer Michael Kluckner is spellbound with RAK
An interview with Oussama El Omari, CEO RAKFTZ
Page 64
RAk International Airport will see a spur of activity soon
Page 56
Things to see, do and enjoy
Page 32
An interview with Japanese Consule Kenji Saito
Page 28
It’s getting busy
Banyan Tree Al Wadi opens
The Japanese Touch
Visit RAK
Page 70
Health News Page 72
RAK Hospital celebrates 2nd anniversary
American University of Ras Al Khaimah
Licensed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research
Top Education...Top of the Emirates The American University of Ras Al Khaimah was established by Royal Decree by His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qassimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler, Ras Al Khaimah and the University Chancellor.
• New Residence Halls featuring kitchenettes, balconies, tiled bathrooms, under-bed storage, student lounge – Four-star living! • Sports – football – cricket – basketball – tennis and an abundance of student activities • State-of-the-Art Student Center • Student Success – Your Success Begins Here! • Excellent Library • Dedicated and highly qualified Faculty Academic Programs • BS Biotechnology* • BS Business Administration Specializations in Finance, International Business, or Marketing • BS Computer Engineering* • BS Electronics & Communications Engineering • BS Management* Specializations in Human Resource Management or Management Information Systems • Master’s of Education in Educational Leadership *proposed programs for Fall 2010
English Language Programs ELP for Academic Admission Acquire reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills for entry to the university • High quality instruction • Native English-speaking instructors • Academic preparation • Participate in campus life as part of the AURAK community
Academic Excellence. Redefined. Tel.: +971 7 221 0500 Fax: +971 7 221 0300 info@aurak.ae www.aurak.ae
ELP for the Community • Customized for organizations • Intensive English • Beginners’ English • IELTS and TOEFL exam preparation • Day or evening classes
COVER STORY
Geared up
for Success
‘Businessmen in RAK have shown a willingness to do more than their duty’
2 6
HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler, RAK
The road to success
The
recession has been a test of time. It has separated the wheat from the chaff and provided a reality check to investors the world over. While some have been devastated by its effects, it has proven to be a boon to others, who have found creative ways to combat the hard times. Ras Al Khaimah is said to have been least affected by the recession for having pitched its case on industries rather than real estate. By adapting suitably to the environment, it has diversified its strategies at doing business. At its helm is its able Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, an astute businessmen who states that the financial crisis is actually an opportunity in sectors such as tourism, industry as well as trading and RAK’s GDP has grown eight per cent in 2009. “The world is changing and we have to learn how to adapt and innovate to move to the front. We are giving a big thrust to tourism and industry, which is vital for us and since Ras Al Khaimah has always been known as an educational hub, we want to become a knowledge centre, a tourist destination and an industrial destination too,” he states. Sheikh Saud is full praise for
businessmen in RAK who have chosen to move forward with their plans despite the slack in the general climate. “RAK has seen a fantastic reception to the solutions that we put out. Private businesses have brought in skills and knowledge required for success. I’m glad that our own businessmen have shown a willingness to do more than their duty,” he states. A fact seconded by Prof Hassan Hamdan Al Alkim, Director General of the Economic Department, Government of Ras Al Khaimah. Prof Alkim is a distinguished scholar and has been on the panel of advisors to Sheikh Saud and an author of several books concerning the Gulf. “RAK’s strength has always been its industrial base. The emirate is known for the last 35 years as an industrial zone. Industries contribute to 20 percent of the GDP,” he states. One of the best aspects of RAK he believes is that all industrial parks are marketed well and have fully equipped facilities – be it in the area of space, gas, connectivity etc. As a result, there are several industries, all of which have brought several people from across the world to the shores of RAK. “The last 5-6 years have seen a lot of change in the emirate. The expatriate population
is now 350,000 and the total population of RAK is about ½ million, that has more than doubled in the last few years,” he states. A strong spokesperson on tourism, Alkim finds RAK’s foray into industry its most important element. “Among the varied sectors, industries are the most sustainable. Tourism has its limits, real estate too has its reach but industries contribute to long term investment. Industries localise people, they settle them for longer periods, information is exchanged and finally ‘the know-how’ of the local population gets enhanced,” he adds. Ras Al Khaimah and its two free trade zones that span the areas of Al Hamra and Al Ghail, have been hotbeds of investment. Together, between them, they have a spate of over 6000 companies, a host of which were registered during the recession. No wonder then, it has been awarded the most preferred investment destination in the Middle East by fDi magazine. RAK has been quite active in promoting its free zones in the world outside. While RAKFTZ has offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Germany, Turkey, India etc,
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RAKIA too has been active in roping in world renowned companies to its shores. During Cityscape 2009, Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority, Al Hamra Real Estate and Rakeen collectively showcased a selection of world-class residential and mixed-use developments, attractive free-zone packages, onshore and offshore business solutions and a rapidly growing global portfolio of real estate projects. On show were the Al Marjan Island, the first man-made island in Ras
8
Al Khaimah; the Bab Al Bahr mixeduse development, Gateway City, Al Hamra Village mixed-use development, RAKIA Amenities Centre, and various business opportunities within RAKIA’s free zone. Dr Khater Massaad, CEO of RAKIA, says, ““Visitors could appreciate the transformation of Ras Al Khaimah as a haven for sustainable development and an attractive lifestyle, tourism and business destination. We showcased the pristine natural beauty of Ras Al Khaimah, where residents can enjoy
the emirate’s white sandy beaches, red desert dunes and majestic Hajjar mountains, while being in proximity to the comforts of state-of-the-art residential and commercial amenities” A value-added feature was a unique showcase of groundbreaking mixeduse developments and authentic project models that are being undertaken by RAKEEN in Lebanon, Congo (DRC), Georgia, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia and other international destinations.
Interview
Sea, Sand, Sun and Simplicity RAK has a wealth of undiscovered tales that will interest tourists
E
10 2
ndowed with the statuesque Hajjar Mountains with its host of wadis that come alive with vegetation and streams in the monsoons, an uninterrupted coastline dotted with world-class hotels, spas and resorts, the red sands of the deserts, ground for the big wide outdoors, date palm plantations and agriculture belts, Ras Al Khaimah is blessed with natural diversity. Then, it has its rich culture that consists of a plethora of archaeological and historical sites; government museums and private collections; old shops, souks and most importantly, its people – its living culture. But, is this enough to rope in tourists? What is the unique RAK experience in it all, now that tourism promotion is high on its agenda? HH Sheikh Faisal bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman RAKFTZ states that current feedback from tourists who visit RAK states that they want an experience unique to the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. “People are very interested to sample RAK food. The women tourists are also keen to know the lifestyle of the women in the emirate. They are seeking a deeper understanding of our culture and we will be concentrating on those factors,” he states. The reason Sheikh Faisal is keen that tourism involves a lot of interaction with local craftsmen, artists, traditional chefs etc is because the wealth of untold stories will
HH Sheikh Faisal bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman, RAKFTZ
be revealed to tourists. But doesn’t it all happen at the Awafi Festival -- one such event in RAK under his purview? “Awafi is a lot to do with outdoors, camping, games etc and has been attracting a whole lot of people from the emirates and outside. We need parallel events that have a different twist to it, albeit with the same intention of promoting tourism as well as culture, while addressing our environment too,” he states. While the sun, sea and sand have unfailingly attracted tourists to the shores of RAK every season, Sheikh Faisal states that, to retain them and attract more numbers, various thematic activities regarding culture will benefit them. So will a host of newer properties.
RAK recently saw the opening of The Banyan Tree Al Wadi as well as The New Hilton Hotel and Spa. “The Double Tree hotel apartment is coming up near the old Hilton hotel. It shall have 112 residences,” he adds. One of his biggest ventures, which is in the planning stage right now, is a 2,000room hotel coming up near the New Hilton Hotel and Spa. “The upcoming hotel is unique because it will be the first of its kind in the world. We are trying to achieve 100 per cent renewable energy through the project, which is a big challenge,” he states. But RAK is not stopping at creating five-star properties solely. According to Sheikh Faisal, there is a segment in RAK that is developing quietly and steadily. Small and medium-sized hotels and restaurants are coming up near the corniche, malls and popular hotspots of the emirate, catering largely to the weekend tourist crowd. “This is a new trend in RAK, which has been confirmed by the Economic Department too. I expect one hotel to come up every month. These hotels, that usually have 30-50 rooms are clean, well-maintained, cost-effective and fit for families. They don’t require big investments, their capital costs are less, and so are the costs of running it. Several of them are managed by Indians,” he adds. With a renewed focus on tourist demand and the right kind of infrastructure catering to various segments of tourists, RAK’s tourism industry is on a steady upswing.
COVER STORY
12
Tourism Tourisms
From to
RAK has a diverse strategy to lure tourists, be it in the areas of leisure, business, investment, real estate, academics or health. Prof Hassan Hamdan Al Alkim, Director General of the Economic Department, Government of Ras Al Khaimah unveils the emirate’s well-chalked out agenda
“The
tourist season has just started and RAK’s hotel occupancy rate is already very high. Right from November, hotels have been packed with people. This points in the direction of high demand and short supply,” says Prof Hassan Hamdan Al Alkim, Director General of the Economic Department, Government of Ras Al Khaimah. The reason why he is awaiting the opening of several new hotels and resorts in the emirate in the coming years.
Dr Al Alkim is a Professor of Political Science, advisor to the RAK Crown Prince for Research and Studies, Private Consultant to the Gulf and the Middle East and has written several books on the Arab world. Now, with the Economic Department activating its Tourism Promotional /Administration wing, tourism is being given a major thrust by the RAK Government. “We are blessed with a diversity of natural resources – mountains and the sea come together in the Northern part, we have sand dunes, cultivated land as well as long stretches of the sea shore – all of which work to our advantage,” he states. As a result, the RAK government under HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler, has devoted its time and resources to nourish and revitalise its tourism using a diverse strategy – in areas of leisure, business, investment, real estate, academics or health. But getting more tourists would mean adding newer facilities to the emirate, in terms of hotel rooms and allied infrastructure. “The Intercontinental Hotel is coming up on the man-made Mina Al Arab island along with two more hotels, a SAS hotel, near the Tower Links Golf Course, the Banyan Tree resort shall see an opening shortly and we are expecting five more hotels in the near future,” he adds. One of RAK’s future landmarks will be the Palace Hotel in the Al Hamra development that will be to RAK
Prof Hassan Hamdan Al Alkim
what the Burj Al Arab is to Dubai and the Emirates Palace to Abu Dhabi. In terms of business hotels, the Acacia Hotel at Al Hamra Free Zone is nearly complete and shall begin operations soon. But RAK’s tourism agenda is not restricted to one zone exclusively but it spans across the entire emirate. According to Alkim, in Saraya, between the Rams and Julphar area, in the 4 kms of coastline, there will soon be a medium-sized hotel plus a development spanning 40 villas, done by a Lebanese company, Arab bank and the RAK government. There is a Swiss hotel coming up in the area near the RAK Economic department in the Al Nakheel area too. “Recently, at the launch of the New Hilton Hotel, HH Sheikh Faisal announced a 2,000room hotel in the pipeline,” states Alkim. To attract more people to the heights of the Hajjar Mountains (which experienced snowfall in January 2009), the roads leading to Jebel Jais are being developed. “Temperature ranges between 0-10 degrees centigrade in the summit of the mountains that stretch to a height of 1,900 metres or 5,800 feet. Roads are halfway through and under construction,” he adds. For tourists who arrive at RAK, there are several shopping options now as compared to few years ago. Be it the old souks or malls like the Manar Mall, Safeer Mall, Naeem Mall, Al Hamra Mall, both internal and external tourism is facilitated. “ We have world class
13 3
14 events like the RAK Marathon that get in a large number of people to RAK and local events like the Awafi festival. Both these events are organised annually. To host the guests, we have world class hotels at our doorstep too. These are our opportunities and it won’t be long that we see more people coming to RAK,” he adds. The Tourism Promotional / Administration Department’s role is to liaise with hotels, award licences to them after inspecting their plans and layouts, promote tourism through various activities, fairs and international participations etc.
“For all these activities, we have a branch at Al Hamra and soon, we shall have a facility at the Manar Mall too. We are in the process of publishing a directory of hotels with a database of major phone numbers that include hotels, restaurants, hospitals, civil defence, medical and paramedical facilities at RAK. We shall shortly begin promotions too,” he states. Tourism is topmost on the priority of the RAK government. “In fact, one of our members is preparing a study on ‘Tourism Clusters’ on Ras Al Khaimah and writing his thesis that can be used by tourists to this
region,” adds Alkim. A major forthcoming event is Awafi Festival that will celebrate its 7th year in 2010. “It is a great crowd puller and a hotspot for investment as well. I can say this because, during the two weeks of the Awafi Festival , there is a high demand on liasioning businesses to the festival. The roads are full of cars and every year, the number of people frequenting the festival is increasing. This year too, like every year, we will add another attraction to Awafi,” adds Alkim. “, We are planning to start the RAK Summer Festival in the coming few years. We have 6- 7 months of great
15 weather in Ras Al Khaimah, but there are a lot of tourists who travel during off-season too, so we are well-equipped to attend to their needs throughout the year”. Every other year, the Economic Department RAK, holds an International conference. While the last conference held two years ago, was on Statistics and Information, the next one shall concentrate on Industrial Investment. “In the pipeline, is a tourism conference too. We are working out our dates because they shouldn’t clash with other
important events,” states Alkim. He feels that the academic conferences are ways through which RAK can reach out word about the emirate to other parts of the world. “We invite people to arrive at RAK, live here for a few days, present academic papers. For us, it becomes an important platform to introduce RAK to a group of scholars and intellectuals and get some papers published on the emirate,” he adds. In terms of medical tourism that RAK has been promoting, state-of-the-art RAK Hospital has been quite active.
“The hospital has started to have a cardiovascular surgeon to address the high rate of heart diseases in this region,” states Alkim. The other hospitals in the emirate are the Saqr Hospital and the Obeidullah Hospital and the upcoming Khalifa Hospital and Omran Hospital. “Everyone benefits out of tourism, it is a win-win situation for all sectors. When hotels do well, restaurants, car and taxi services, malls, resorts etc – all of them get active,” states Alkim. And Ras Al Khaimah is well-equipped to welcome a variety of tourisms to its shores.
Tourism
The Great Outdoors The dramatic red sands of Awafi beckon tourists 16 2
The
car tracks in the smooth red desert sands are telling. Preparations are on for Awafi festival 2010, RAK’s own desert festival. One of the most awaited events of the region, Awafi, as it is locally called, starts on January 28 and continues until February 19, playing host to a spate of desert sports that include car racing and dune bashing, apart from being a showcase of art, culture and heritage unique to the emirates. In its seventh year now, the three-week event has gained wide acceptance not only in the UAE, but in the entire GCC region and outside. The event is supported by the Tourism Support and
Promotion Administration, Department of Economic Development (DED), Government of Ras Al Khaimah. Hamad bin Erhama Al Shamsi, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Economic Development (DED), in charge of the Awafi festival, sees a significant increase in licences issued for 2010 as compared to last year and the year before. “We have awarded about 70 licences so far,” he states. The licences issued for Awafi include those for chalets, restaurants, shops and other eateries – all of which will facilitate tourism. In addition to all this, the place will be well equipped with public amenities, toilets,
Hamad bin Erhama Al Shamsi
a medical centre, coffee shops, food outlets, police office, ambulance service, games area, and a fire brigade. Locally, the festival is known for its adrenaline sports like car and dune bike racing, apart from being a great occasion for camping and barbecues. “Entry to the festival is free, but we charge a nominal fee of Dh100 for people taking part in sports. On January 29, we shall have the main race (which involves cars with six and eight cylinders) and on February 5, the other cars,” he adds. The spring festival that has etisalat as its main sponsor, is a good showcase for Arabic culture and heritage “We now have a theatre there and we have regular theatre performances and cultural displays,” he states. The festival also has local arts and crafts, a bazaar, and a children’s play zone. How different will this year’s festival be as compared to last year? “We have tried to make it more professional. This year, we shall have a userfriendly map of the entire area. We have allotted spaces for the car racing games, restaurants, souks etc. This year, we will also have about 13 traditional shops selling Arabic sweets. We shall be adding a tent souq in the traditional village at Awafi for visitors to pose questions regarding Arabic culture and heritage. We will be giving away prizes too,” he states. So, this year, will we see a more modern Awafi festival? “Not at all. We don’t intend to make the Awafi festival modern because it will then lose its traditional touch,” adds Shamsi.
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Tourism
Sprucing Up! Ras Al Khaimah has added more rooms and facilities to cater to the growing tourist population visiting its shores
Winter
adorns RAK with a rare natural beauty that beckons tourists the world over to its shores. It is common to see families dashing through the red desert sands to pitch their tents and enjoy a quiet dinner amidst natural surroundings, tourists pouring into hotels to savour the winter sun and sample Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort & Spa
18
a taste of Arab culture – in short, people making the most of the season. To date, the newly opened hotels in Ras Al Khaimah have increased the room capacity by 864 rooms. This number is set to grow to an additional 1,100 by the end of this year, pushing the capacity to over 3,000
rooms by the first quarter of 2010. The recently opened hotels in the emirate are :
Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort & Spa All 475 rooms are now open in this beautiful beach resort situated to the north of Ras Al Khaimah City on its own secluded bay.
Banyan Tree Al Wadi
Guests can indulge body and soul in the luxurious spa, which features an authentic Hammam, or simply watch the sun set from the Roof Top Bar, while sipping a delicious cocktail.
The Cove Rotana Resort
The Cove Rotana Resort opened in January 2009. The resort is set into the gigantic sand dune formation of Arqoob Beach that runs along the Ras Al Khaimah coast on the way in to the city. This lowrise project resort offers superb sea views from anywhere
within the resort. The whole project is designed with a fusion of North Africa and Middle Eastern architecture. The Resort offers hotel rooms or villas and is part of the integrated complex suitable for long stays, families and MICE business.
Banyan Tree Al Wadi 20
Located in tranquil and ecorich Wadi Khadeja, Banyan Tree Al Wadi rests amidst 100 hectares of private nature reserve, home to indigenous plant and wildlife. Tucked away between the waters of the Arabian Gulf and the magnificent Al Hajjar Mountains, this oasis of indulgence is the first luxury desert resort in the UAE to offer an all-pool villa concept, complete with 3,000 sqm of Asian-inspired hydrotherapy spa facilities. The elegant fortress-like faรงade of the resort holds true
Acacia Hotel
to traditional Arabic architecture, blending harmoniously with it natural environment. Consisting of 101 pool-villas, the tented villas emulate the nomadic style of Bedouin tribes, while the block pool-villas depict the traditional mud brick architecture of Ras Al Khaimah. Other facilities include a hydrotherapy spa circuit with hammam and vitality pool, 10 spa treatment pavilions, meetings and banqueting services, activity centre, kids’ club, a worldclass falconry mews, horse and camel stables, and private beach club.
Acacia Hotel 22
The Acacia Hotel is a superb 4-star business hotel conveniently located directly adjacent to the Ras Al Khaimah Free Zone, a mere 40 minutes from Dubai by car and only 10 minutes from downtown Ras Al Khaimah. The hotel offers a stunning modern interior design and state-of-the-art business and meeting facilities, supported by the most advanced technology. Acacia Hotel also offers a large temperature controlled outdoor swimming pool, Fitness Centre, Lobby Bar and Acacia Night Club. The guest rooms include 216-King or Twin bedded rooms, 54 Diplomatic Suites and 103 self-contained and spacious onebedroom apartments.
The Palace, Ras Al Khaimah Phase one, the Residence, is open from October 2009, while the rest of the property is due to open in June 2010. The Palace has a design style that is meticulously researched from Arabic architectural heritage and art. The Palace Ras Al Khaimah is set to become the pinnacle of Arabian hospitality in the region. Set along the southern coast of the emirate with 1.2 kilometers of private sandy beach lapped by the azure waters of the Arabian Gulf, the resort is a royal residence that embodies the quality of life and very rich history of the emirate. Exotic and evocative of the stories and fables of Arabia, the resort offers 345 rooms and suites and
The Palace, Ras Al Khaimah
63 contemporary studio apartments, along with the choice of 14 restaurants and bars, a chic and stylish spa and two sparkling pools set within extensive gardens where water has a leading role. The January of 2009 saw snowfall in the Hajjar mountains - a fact that has intrigued a lot of tourists. Naturally then, there have been inquiries about road access to the heights where the snow fell. At the moment, these areas are only accessible by helicopter. However, in the future, there will be a mountain resort in the same area with a project called Jebel Jais Mountain Resort. Currently, the access road is
under construction. However tourist traffic to RAK has been good enough despite the recession.The number of hotel guests for Ras Al Khaimah increased to 235,000 in 2008, an increase of 10 per cent on 2007. European visitors account for 75per cent of the visitors. It is worth noting that these figures do not reflect day trippers, or visiting family and friends from other emirates. Occupancy levels were 95per cent. Ras Al Khaimah is developing its own personality and niche in the marketplace. The emirate is historically rich, has many ecologically important areas, has diversity topography and allows visitors to get close to the heritage and culture of the local community. For more than ten years, the Department of Antiquities and Museums, Ras Al-Khaimah has worked on the restoration of historical monuments and sites in the emirate Of Ras Al Khaimah. These monuments and sites are selected according to their historical
importance, like Dhayah Fort, where the last battle with the British troops took place in 1819, or the summer residence of the ruling family in Falayah, where the peace treaty was signed in 1820. Furthermore, monuments of local and visual importance have been restored, like the watchtowers of the coastal towns of Jazirat Al-Hamra, Ma’arid and Rams. A further priority for the Department is the restoration work and the aspect of authenticity, regarding the choice of materials and building techniques used during this process. To support this important work, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism developed an “action plan” for Ras Al Khaimah Heritage Tourism (in association with RAK Department of Antiquities and Museums) to promote and preserve the emirate’s historical sites. This action plan focused on the promotion of the sites once they are ready to receive visitors. The federal laws and penalties for littering also apply in Ras Al Khaimah.
23
SPECIAL REPORT
Take
a right from the T junction as you arrive in RAK from the Emirates Road and drive down for about 3kms. The Centrepoint Store will be on your right after you pass the Rotana Hotel (on your left). The store covers a total of 65,000 square feet providing an easy shopping destination for the residential areas in close proximity.
arrives in RAK 24
……Look No Further!
HE Sheikh Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi – Chairman, Civil Aviation RAK inaugurates the new Centrepoint store at RAK
One of the Middle East’s largest retail conglomerates, Landmark Group’s first Centrepoint store in Ras Al Khaimah was officially inaugurated by HE Sheikh Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi – Chairman, Civil Aviation RAK.The store is in line with Landmark Group’s strategy to create a ‘single destination shopping experience’ by integrating four of its core retail concepts, Babyshop, Splash, Shoe Mart & Lifestyle under one roof to cater to men, women and children.
History and the way ahead First launched in Kuwait in 2005, Centrepoint is the largest non-food retail destination in the Middle East with about 65 stores and a retail space in excess of 3.3 million square feet. As Micky Jagtiani, Chairman, Landmark Group, states, “ This new branch at RAK is a strategic step in our ambitious growth plans across the Middle East and it offers a fresh opportunity for Landmark Group to extend its promise of exceptional value to the community in Ras Al Khaimah. We wish to express our gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and Member of the UAE Supreme Council, for his vision, leadership and support to our endeavours.” As Vinod Talreja, Director of Centrepoint & Babyshop, states, “We are delighted about the new Centrepoint store in Ras Al Khaimah because we believe the market
Jazz and Joy!
Babyshop’s New Fall - Winter Fashion Collection shines with festive splendour The one stop shop for all your childrens needs has launched its winter collection. Babyshop’s new Juniors Collection twinkles with its wide use of sequins, shimmering beads, simulating foil print in a vibrant colour palette - beetroot purple, bright rose, sachet pink, limeade, bluebird, spectra yellow, claret red and musk melon. The Barbie Collection truly reflects the festive spirit. Masquerade, Pop Academy and My Special Things feature glitter puff prints, rhinestones, gems, shiny cotton fabrics, glossy prints, sequins all create a fashion jazz and a visual treat. For little princesses, Disney’s celebratory Royal Princess Collection gives them
Flagship Brands
Babyshop, Splash, Shoe Mart, Lifestyle and Beautybay
Micky Jagtiani, Chairman Landmark Group and Vinod Talreja, Director, Centrepoint and Babyshop
ample room to make their dreams come true. But The Royal Princess is part of the entire collection and the rest of Disney’s new line reminds us of favourite characters - Tinker
has been long overdue for such a shopping destination. As an umbrella brand, Centrepoint has successfully integrated Landmark Group’s core retail concepts to enhance customers’ value; we are looking to expand from our current 65 stores to 70, which will make us the largest retail brand in the Middle East by 2010.”
Bell and her naughty antics, Dumbo’s sweet innocence, Mickey and Minnie’s colourful Playrooms, Toy Story 3, Handy Manny’s repairing techniques and the Race-O-Rama of cars. The new Kappa Collection lends the athletic look. The figure-hugging, clean silhouettes of the new collection remind us of various sports – be it baseball, football, basketball, sprinting, martial arts or long jumps. There is a wide use of sweat-easy fabrics - jerseys, cottons and lycra, making the collection comfortable and easygoing. Lee Cooper’s new ‘Future Reworked’ is textured with an eclectic mix of multicultural themes, retro-inspired, but emergent in its spirit. In true Rock and Roll style, you’ll find handcrafted pieces with foil prints, musical embroidery, and decorative patterns in cushioned cutouts of Rock n Roll bands such as ‘The Rolling Stones’. Maui & Sons, leaders in beachwear, have four different themes including Flyin, Super Shark, Rock On, and Princess Up.
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Making a Splash
The Autumn Winter 2009 collection is up for grabs at all Splash outlets across the UAE With dominant themes including 80s Power, Warrior Goddess, Sartorial Man and Country Romeo, the Splash Autumn Winter ‘09 Collection is a shot of power and energy viable to jolt customers out of recession fatigue with the most fashion forward line ever In line with Splash’s brand statement ‘Eye on Design’, the collection adapts key designer trends across international catwalks for pocket-friendly highstreet styles. Unleash your power by sporting the `80s Power Dressing` trend this fall. Lend expression to the power woman in you with leather jackets, burnished metallics, mesh and furs accentuated in antique gold, berry tones and blacks. Women remain power draped this season with yet another key trend: The Warrior Goddess. Embracing the ultimate reincarnation
Spoilt for Choice
Shoe Mart unveils Autumn Winter 09 collection
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At Shoe Mart, this season is about touches of folk, asymmetrical and retro lines. Adornments in design and sober themes serve as an inspiration, mixing collaborative styles - as Folk Boho, Preppy and Rock Chic glide us through the 80s journey. The Folk Boho theme brings out detailed lacing, studs and fringes, Brogues are trendsetters for patchwork this season, Short Pixie and slouchy pirate boots are key looks while Paisley and art
of bygone Greek and Roman influences, this line showcases sensual soft dressing coupled with studded leathers to reflect attitude. As high street fashion is incomplete without a dash of casual chic, Splash gets
deco prints on lace fronts and dolly shoes outshine in warm colours with highlights of teal, suede reds and mystique purples. The men’s collection of the retro theme has rugged washed finishes on boots, and biker mayhem on buckled shoes.
you the`Country Grunge` - multilayered silhouettes that combine punk attitude with something almost whimsical and playfully naive. Blanket plaids, cocooning jackets and knits are teamed with the contrast of soft florals and sheers in eclectic and wearable mismatched combinations. Casual long line tunic knits and peg-top pants are styled in brushed cottons and denims for an earthy mix of downtown-meets-thecountry look. The men’s line consists of varied themes allowing choice of simple, futuristic and traditional dressing. Sharp accentuated styles pronounce urbane glamour. The simple `Sartorial Man` is a basic collection of ultra fine fabrics. For the flamboyant, `Futuristic Dressing` - skinny jeans and trousers coupled with waist coats, long printed tees, kurta tees, printed sweats and hoodies highlight the theme. The Autumn Winter 2009 Collection is up for grabs at all Splash outlets across the UAE
Playfulness arrives with the Preppy theme this winter with a blend of British inspirations and symmetric designs with inspirations from structured silhouettes and ballet pumps, checkered lines and prints of school uniforms on shoes. Lots of tartan and nylon-highlights of patent are the key looks designed onto square toe shoes. And finally, the 80’s revival echoes bygone inspiration with neon colours, glam two tone sequins and mixtures of material which are spotted on pumps, peep toes & concealed platforms. Shiny Disco shoes in dazzling gold, black shimmer and metallic silvers are set to illuminate shelves across all stores.
A Classy Lifestyle Lifestyle, a well-defined retail concept that imbibes the essence of a woman offers a wide range of exclusive products that celebrate the free spirit of today’s woman. From an exquisite variety of home décor, home furnishing & bath decor to home fragrance, make-up, perfumes, fashion accessories, fashion bags, spa products and teen gifts, the Lifestyle woman is spoilt for choice. So, when a woman visits Lifestyle, she is sure to indulge herself in a world which truly reflects her femininity and understands exactly “What a woman wants”. Everything she wants, from pretty lamps to fashion accessories, curtains to cushions, mirrors to reflect her true self and much more… are lined up to walk her through a world of dreams.
Home Proud The recession has certainly made most people stay home more often than usual. But that doesn’t mean it has to be boring! With a beautiful collection of bedding and curtains and a mix of traditional and contemporary home décor to suit every personal style, Lifestyle offers a wide variety of home decorative solutions at the BEST ‘Recession Approved’ Value.
Bagging the deal with GUESS Handbags GUESS, the fashion forward brand with enviable style, is a must have in every woman’s wardrobe. Featuring bags for daytime and evenings out, the Guess collection is an exclusive line sold only in Lifestyle stores
Beautybay
Kama Ayurveda launched
The one-stop destination for value and luxury fragrances, cosmetics, skincare, hair care, bath and body care and beauty accessories, Centrepoint RAK’s Beautybay exclusively carries several beauty and skincare brands and offers complimentary make overs and skin consultations in exclusively designed beauty and treatment rooms, Beautybay is located at selected Centrepoint destination stores and even has inhouse fragrance consultants, professional make-up artists, and skin-care specialists for all your beauty advice and care.
The latest range in spa products, Kama Ayurveda originates in India, and is formulated according to authentic Ayurvedic prescriptions, using no artificial ingredients. A line of 100% natural skin, body and hair care products that include massage oils, hair and body oils, face and body cleansers and soaps, the offerings are all-natural and use plant-based ingredients, prepared from organically grown plants and herbs, collected by India’s tribal commuAvailable at all Lifestyle & Beautybay stores across the nities from natural United Arab Emirates habitats.
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Travel
Soaring High
It’s getting busy ‌. One
organisation’s growth is of benefit to another. In the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, the experience is of symbiosis at its best. With news that several more companies plan to operate scheduled or chartered flights, the airport
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is about to experience the next stage of its masterplan - expansion and modernisation. In the immediate to short term, through phased construction, the upgraded Departures Terminal will boast more gates for boarding, with better duty free zone, catering facilities, additional seating, as well as a new business lounge. The Passenger Arrivals Terminal is a brand new building, equipped with state - of- theart facilities and already operational.
The airport shall soon be geared to handle a million passengers a year. The entire airport entrance will be the subject of a landscaping study, as it will contribute directly to the character and identity of the developing airport and the experience of users. This piece of work will provide consistency and enhance the distinctive character of the airport , including an Arabic theme and designs that will reflect the culture of the UAE, and in particular, RAK. Based on gathered industry data and publicly released traffic figures of the major airports in the UAE, an intensive market analysis has been prepared that show there is a huge air travel market existing in the four northern emirates where Ras Al Khaimah leads the growth and has the largest market share (over 45%). The data also indicates that there are strong business opportunities and prospective routes between Ras Al Khaimah and many
overseas destinations with promising, and interesting, loads and yields. Apart from the excellent accessibility to other parts of UAE (only 30 minutes to other northern emirates and 45 minutes to Dubai), Ras Al Khaimah directly services a very dynamic and popular tourism destination, proving to be a leader in providing strong passenger traffic to and from the other emirates . Ras Al Khaimah International Airport is the gateway to the northern emirates of the UAE. Not only does it position itself as a low-cost airport with very competitive tariffs directly contributing to airlines’ bottomline, it can also boast of efficient airport ground handling for quick turnarounds, zero congestion, holding patterns or slot issues; ample runway, terminal and apron capacities; professional airport services and facilities provided with a personal touch. Another project underway is the planning and design of a new cargo apron, module-based, which will accelerate the cargo volume development that is predicted over the next 24 months. The development of the RAK Free Trade Zone is helping to stimulate local exports that are then flown on cargo planes to more and more destinations, while the establishment of many quality hotels to support
tourism has brought more chartered flights from Europe . The signing of an MoU between the RAK Customs and the Airport, was a major breakthrough for exporters who would be benefitted by choosing to use RAK Airport as their gateway. The new cargo terminal features state-of-the-art handling equipment, comprehensive air cargo security, loading docks, electronic weighing equipment, and a professional management and operations team. Origin and destination freight have steadily increased at RAK Airport and the airport is currently focusing on increasing transshipment freight via a road feeder network to the rest of the emirates. The airport provides 24-hour cargo handling operations and custom clearances. Ras Al Khaimah is in an ideal location to serve as a freight hub. With access to growing industries, major seaports, and commercial hubs of the UAE, it is strategically positioned to reach not only
the major economies in the East and West, but it also has aggressive plans to be seen as a gateway to Afghanistan and the reconstruction efforts of the global international community. RAK Airport prides at having in its possession a land area of over 500,000 sq mtrs, and in discussions with several airlines, requirements are also emerging for facilities for both light and heavy aircraft maintenance that would include new hangars, workshops and training facilities. It also has plans for a new ATC Tower that will permit a much better view with respect to runway and airfield operations, and which will be complemented by the already up and running new radar station. As well as developments for passenger terminals, there will also be a project to look at how the VIP & Protocol Terminal is envisaged for the future, as a separate and with more undisturbed secure access, which is a definite preference for the users of this elite facility. Adnoc supplies the operators at RAK Airport with Jet A1 fuel, and are about to increase their capacity by developing a new five million storage fuel farm. (The author, Roland Blaney, is the CEO, RAK International Airport)
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RAK on a Roll
New charter flights announced Three
European charter operators have confirmed operations from RAK International Airport. The first weekly flight operated by Transvia Denmark on the behalf of Atlantis Rejser from Copenhagen arrived on 9th October 2009, the two weekly flights operated by Primera Air in conjunction with Bravo Tours started on 18th October 2009, and NEOS Spa from Italy that commences operation from December 2009. While Transvia Denmark will use their Boeing 737 Next Generation Aircraft for non stop flight Copenhagen – Ras Al Khaimah, Primera Air will use Boeing737-800 from Arlanda (Stockholm)/Copenhagen to Ras Al Khaimah and NEOS Spa will use a Boeing 737-800 from Milan, Italy HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, has implemented key infrastructure development projects to enhance the airport facilities and several tourist amenities, which have helped make the emirate a highly attractive destination for international tourists. So has Sheikh Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of
Passengers arrive at RAK airport
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RAK Civil Aviation Department, who has initiated programmes to boost the service level of the emirate’s airport, sea ports and other access points to the emirate. The agreement to open new charter flights between Copenhagen and Ras Al Khaimah was sealed during RAKIA’s participation at the ITB 09 exhibition in Berlin. “Ras Al Khaimah is attracting several of the leading tourism firms in Europe that are looking to explore more interesting destinations for European tourists,” stated an official from RAK Tourism. Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority revealed that the new charter flight has been realised in conjunction with the Hamra Hotels & Resorts Sales Team, which has been targeting and campaigning in niche markets with high-revenue potential. Atlantis Rejser has been a leading player in the MENA tourism industry as it is responsible for bringing the largest volume of visitors from the Scandinavian market to Egypt. The company, which boasts of an 80 per cent retention of repeat clients, has revealed that RAK will play a key role in its expansion programme
as the emirate offers an authentic cultural experience and provides a variety of world-class tourist facilities. Primera Air, owned by Primera Travel Group, operates new Boeing 737-800 for many of its group companies and has its aircraft based in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Dublin, Malmo and Keflavik. Primera owns the tour operator Bravo Tours, the fastest growing tour operator in Denmark over the last few years and has won the Gazelle Awards for the fastest growing company in Denmark both in regard to revenue and profits in 2006. NEOS Spa is an airline based in Milan, Italy, operating leisure flights form its main base in Malpensa International Airport, Milan, with hubs at Bologna Airport and Verona Airport. “Their weekly scheduled flights for this season begins in December and their operations at RAK Airport have become an annual feature following last year’s successful operations,” says an official, RAK Airport, who is looking forward to welcoming all the new seasonal services and providing a fine personal and professional experience to each guest.
Ports & Customs
Port of Arabia RAK has the right attributes to be a destination in the reckoning
Who
but a proud citizen can wax eloquent about his land- its natural resources, its people, its culture and its beauty - the change of weather that can be smelt in its air, the echoes of sounds reverberating from the hills, the rollicking waves from its aquamarine seas that skirt its shores daintily, its animal and bird life creating a truly natural ambience, far removed from the cacophony of city buzz. Mohammed Al Mehrizi, Director General Ports and Customs, Government of Ras Al Khaimah has held various eminent positions in the capital is an ardent aesthete. While he has a strict demeanour, heading a department responsible for bringing in and carrying out freight from Ras Al Khaimah, he is also extremely keen on seeing Ras Al Khaimah realise its potential as an ideal destination, be it for investment and tourism – two of the main pillars that defines the emirate’s economy. All free zones come under the customs control and each zone has a custom’s officer. The freight that enters and leaves the customs is thoroughly checked by the department. “Through the Customs and Ports department, to promote the industries in RAK and to facilitate them, we have tried to ease the system of passage of goods. We have encouraged the companies to use the services of Ras Al Khaimah by reducing the fees, give us bank guarantee instead of paying cash,” he states. “We are in the process of getting an e-clearance facility. When it is active, companies need not send their Public Relations Officers to get a clearance from our department, they can do it online. You have to be a member, buy the membership system and then conduct the whole work online. As of now, we have four members,” he adds. The Ras AL Khaimah Customs and Ports Department plans to have about 3,000 containers into RAK ports every month.
company based in the Masafi area that has an output of 95,000, 5 gallon bottles a month, 50,000 cartons of cup water per month and 50,000 PET bottles per month.
Forays into tourism
Mohammed Al Mehrizi
The department also conducts the Custom Officer’s Inspection Course that involves courses in detection of explosives and drugs, declaration systems etc. Slowly and steadily, the various ports of RAK are undergoing infrastructural developments. Al Jazeera Port is building a synchro-lift for ship repair, the Hulaila Port has a 5km-long keel and a draft of eight metres that will make a huge impact on the freight from the RAKFTZ, Mina Saqr Port is increasing its capacity of loading and offloading and improving their container terminal, RAK Port is a new port so is the Al Jeer Port that has the livestock and quarantine facilities. Apart from being the Director-General of Ports and Customs, Mehrizi is the chairman of the RAK Shipping Department that has its own feeder ships and about 600 containers and owner of Awafi Water, a water bottling
Mohammed Al Mehrizi, owns the ostrich farm in RAK too and aims to make it another tourist attraction. “We have tied up with Emirates Holidays that will bring a set of tourists to Ras Al Khaimah every week to see the ostrich farm. We have 200 ostriches here and the egging time starts from the end of December to the end of February. Each female ostrich lays 20 eggs and we expect 1,200 eggs each year. We incubate and study them – if there is no growth in the embryo or it is a dormant egg, they are converted into engraved eggs, the rest are left to grow,” he says. The eggs are then shipped to Jordan for carving and come back to be sold here. “I have plans to start a bird zoo in Ras Al Khaimah – the first of its kind in this area. It will be a good platform to get more people to visit this emirate, educate tourists, encourage people to preserver bird life etc,” he adds.
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Canopy of Leisure Banyan Tree Al Wadi ready to receive guests
Set
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to be Ras Al Khaimah’s latest and most exclusive resort, Banyan Tree Al Wadi saw a soft opening on January 1st, 2010. Owned by RAKEEN Development PJSC and managed by Singapore-based Banyan Tree Holdings, the luxury desert spa resort offers city dwellers a unique retreat within its own nature reserve, exciting outdoor adventures, beach access and an 18-hole championship golf course. Located in Wadi Khadeja, the protected enclave of the sturdy, evergreen Ghaf tree, the resort is a 45-minute drive from Dubai International Airport and located 20 kilometres from Ras Al Khaimah city centre. The resort offers a selection of
facilities at the initial soft launch stage. “My team and I are proud to be part of such a unique project and we look forward to creating memorable and exceptional experiences for our guests,” says Pascal Eppink,” General Manager, Banyan Tree Al Wadi. To celebrate its soft launch, Banyan Tree Al Wadi is offering a special promotion of a complimentary night with a minimum of two paid nights. This offer includes daily breakfast and welcome drinks for two, and is valid for stays from 1 January 2010 to 28 February 2010. Rates start from AED 2,101+ for the Al Rimal deluxe pool villa. Guests who book an additional third paid night will
also receive a complimentary 90-minute spa session at the award-wining Banyan Tree Spa.
Desert Elegance Banyan Tree Al Wadi comprises 70 Al Rimal deluxe pool villas spanning around 158 square metres, as well as 16 Al Khaimah and 15 Al Sahari tented pool villas that measure approximately 253 square metres. This oasis of indulgence offers a contemporary adaptation of traditional Arabic architecture amidst miles of rolling sand dunes, creating a comfortably seamless experience of staying in the desert. A tribute to the heritage of the region – from the tented
design that is inspired by local Bedouin tribes and nomadic lifestyle, to traditional mud brick buildings, the villas also feature elaborate Arabic touches of lattice woodwork, stylised motifs, intricate carvings in arabesque design and high ceilings. All 101 villas offer a tranquil view of the desert oasis for quiet contemplation, while the external area of each villa features a private pool. The Al Khaimah and Al Sahari tented pool villa also feature a generouslysized bathroom where spa treatments can be offered within the intimate privacy of one’s accommodation.
Oasis of Indulgence Banyan Tree Spa Al Wadi will be the Group’s first Banyan Tree spa in the United Arab Emirates. Spanning 3,000 square metres, the spa features 10 discreet indoor treatment pavilions, complemented by signature Asian-inspired massages delivered by male and female therapists trained at the Banyan Tree Spa Academy in Phuket, Thailand. Scheduled to open in March 2010, the Rainforest hydrothermal circuit with a
Update of Awards and Accolades, 2009 Corporate “Hospitality Lifetime Achievement Award” ~ China Hotel Investment Summit Ho Kwon Ping & Claire Chiang “Most Transparent Company” ~ SIAS Investors’ Choice Awards 2009 Banyan Tree Holdings Limited Travel “Top 30 New Hotels” ~ Australian Gourmet Traveller – Best Hotels Angsana Riads Collection Morocco “10 Ones to Watch – Australasia, Asia & Pacific Ocean” ~ Condé Nast Traveller (UK) Hot List 2009 Banyan Tree Sanya “Best Hotel - China” ~ CNBC Asia Pacific Property Awards 2009 Banyan Tree Lijiang “45 Best New Hotels of 2009” ~ Travel + Leisure (USA) IT List Banyan Tree Mayakoba “Resort Hotel Awards – Best Resort in China”
~ TTG China Travel Award Banyan Tree Lijiang Spa “50 Hot Spas - China” ~ Conde Nast Traveller USA Hot List 2009” Banyan Tree Spa “The 101 Best Spas in the World” ~ Tatler UK Spa Awards 2009 Banyan Tree Spa “Best Spa Hotel of China” ~ China Hotel Starlight Awards 2009 Banyan Tree Lijiang “The Most Acclaimed Spa Brand for Business people 2008 (International)” ~ 21st Century Business Travel Festival Banyan Tree Spa “Best Spa Category – Gold” Middle East & North Africa Travel Awards (MENA) 2009 Banyan Tree Spa Al Areen “Best Spa Category – Platinum” Middle East & North Africa Travel Awards (MENA) 2009 Angsana Spa Kuala Lumpur
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hammam and vitality pool will complete the total wellness experience. A pioneer of the tropical spa, Banyan Tree Spa dates back to 1994 in Phuket, Thailand and is based on the concept of Eastern therapies with a holistic focus on spiritual, mental and physical harmony. Designed as an intimate retreat, Banyan Tree Al Wadi Spa features treatment rooms and spa pavilions that come complete with private showers and sunken tubs, so that couples can enjoy a bath in complete privacy. The Banyan Tree Al Wadi Spa will have 4 royal pavilions with Rainmist steam room, bath-tub, outdoor shower, meditation and relaxation areas, 6 Deluxe Pavilions with bathtub, relaxation area, shower cum steam room etc. Other facilities include ‘The Rainforest Circuit’ with Vitality pool and Hammam, Beauty Salon, Banyan Tree Gallery, Yoga & Aerobic room and a relaxation area. It has the Royal Wadi for its signature treatment.
Event Perfect The elegant banquet hall can seat up to 140 people, offering an exclusive event space for weddings or corporate groups. For smaller groups of up to 20 people, the two meeting rooms are suited for brainstorm sessions and corporate meetings. Banyan Tree Al Wadi also features four food and beverage venues. These include contemporary Thai cuisine and Southeast Asian specialties at the signature Saffron restaurant, international selections
at Al Waha, the all-day dining restaurant, an extensive wine selection at Samar Lounge, and refreshing cocktails and shisha at Moon Bar, the rooftop lounge.
Nature’s Offerings Ras Al Khaimah is renowned for its pristine natural attractions. Here, eco-explorers can seek adventure in activities such as falconry,
camel riding, wadi (desert) drives, or simply meander along rivers on a dhow (traditional Arabic sailing vessel with lateen sails) cruise. Banyan Tree Al Wadi is the first desert spa resort in Ras Al Khaimah to offer a private nature reserve within its grounds. Spanning over 100 hectares, of which 60 hectares are set aside for the dedicated nature reserve – home to local desert wildlife such as Arabian gazelles and oryxes, offering guests a unique opportunity to interact with and observe these gentle creatures up close. Managed by Banyan Tree Al Wadi, the Al Hamra Golf Course is an 18-hole championship course. Designed by Peter Harradine, the golf course is built around a large open sea water lagoon with four interconnected sub lagoons. It measures 7,325 yards at full length, with five varying tee options. For more information, please call +971 7 206 7777, email alwadi@banyantree. com or log on to banyantree.com. For the Banyan Tree Spa Al Wadi, email spa-alwadi@ banyantree.com
The Banyan Tree Brand Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts offer an intimate retreat experience featuring its signature blend of romance, rejuvenation and exotic sensuality. In 1994, the flagship Banyan Tree resort, Banyan Tree Phuket, was launched as part of the Laguna Phuket development. Its philosophy is based on providing a place for rejuvenation of the body, mind and soul - a Sanctuary for the Senses. Placing special emphasis on providing guests with a sense of place, each Banyan Tree property is designed to fit into its natural surroundings, using indigenous materials as far as possible and reflecting the landscape and architecture of the destination. The brand takes its name from the tropical banyan tree, known for its strong and graceful image. For centuries, the banyan tree has been a symbol of sanctuary under which one finds peace of mind and internal harmony - the same elements upon which Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts has flourished. The tree shares the same Asian roots as the Banyan Tree group, which is steeped in Asian traditions and environmental consciousness. Pioneering the tropical garden spa concept with Asian health and beauty remedies passed down from generations, Banyan Tree Spa was created as the signature experience in all Banyan Tree resorts, to complement the “Sanctuary for the Senses” wellness concept. With the emphasis on high service standards and consistency, therapists are professionally trained at Banyan Tree Spa Academies in Phuket, Thailand, and Lijiang, China. An award-winning international spa brand, Banyan Tree Spa introduced innovative spa concepts such as the Rainmist experience, The Rainforest hydrothermal concept and Master Therapist Experience. The group set up its merchandising arms, Banyan Tree Gallery and Angsana Gallery, to support local communities by exhibiting and retailing indigenous handicrafts, eco-friendly products, indigenous village handicrafts, ethnic apparel and accessories, and objets d’art. To date, the Banyan Tree Group manages and/or has ownership interests in over 20 resorts and hotels, over 60 spas, in excess of 70 retail galleries; and two golf courses.
Poetic Architecture
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Sport
ABC of Adventure “When a favorite hobby becomes a business, clients have a gala time,” says Tariq Al Omari, Director, Amigos Balloon Co
It
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all started in 1994, when a company in Jordan was looking for an amateur balloon pilot to represent itself in a balloon event and trained a young and raring to go Tariq Al Omari for the competition. “ Initially, I knew nothing about flying but when I started training, I started taking it seriously and went on to get my advanced training from Spain and the US, to earn my commercial pilot’s certificate,” he states. Omari then took part in various events and flew in over 20 countries, worked for two years as a balloon pilot and then went on to become the chief pilot for a balloon company in Egypt. In 2000, he started Amigos Balloons Co. (ABC), a Dubai-based company which organises balloon rides around the UAE. Step by Step, ABC carved its rightful place in the tourist market as the founders of ballooning in the UAE with exceptional experience in their
field. Their first step was to provide for scheduled flights with groups of people and they later branched into exclusive service - with private flights. Passengers booked on a private flight (varying from 2-4 people) have some privileges including access to a personal limousine. Soon ABC began to receive widespread cooperation from many companies keen on advertising their products. “ More than anything in this business as a tourist service, I like the fact that we are able to satisfy the interests of various categories of people and spend time with them, which will leave wonderful memories for a lifetime,” says Omari. ABC addresses people who want to feel like an Indiana Jones or Sindbad in their exotic leisure/adventure holidays. Those who are fans of extreme sports will find this craft no less exciting than skydiving or hang-gliding. As for private
flights, Omari states that it is the best setting you could award your beloved. “If you decide to spend an unforgettable date, or to confess your feelings to your beloved, it is difficult to imagine more suitable conditions. After the balloon flight, we have instituted to organise a picnic in the desert,” he adds. “Fly with us on a balloon, be our friend and all fall in love with this breathtaking passion,” states Omari, who has effectively mixed his business and the pleasure of flying. “When I watch people, I am filled with happiness looking at the joy shining in their eyes. There is so much positivity,” he states, adding, “With great joy, I invite you to fly with us, touch the clouds, admire the picturesque scenery of the dunes and oases, rocky mountains and graceful expanse of desert. Allow yourself to be in a fairy tale and feel your dreams turn to reality.”
Join us, the original founders of hot air ballooning in the UAE, for a breathtaking flight over the beautiful dunes and rugged red mountains of the region. Our personal, tailored service, guarantees you a truly special experience, whether it’s a romantic balloon flight for two, a family occasion or even a corporate event, Amigos will provide you with a day you will never forget.
AMIGOS BALLOON LLC
P.O.Box 77516, Dubai, UAE. Tel: 04 28 99 295 Fax : 04 28 99 296 Mobile: 050 73 56 237 www.amigos-balloons.com
Events
On the run The RAK Half Marathon in February is expected to rope in more people
It
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is the time of the year, when people start talking of the RAK Half Marathon - the world’s richest half marathon which is an IAAF Silver Label Race and a full member of the Association of Marathons and Distance Running (AIMS). Scheduled on February 12, 2010, the mega event will be celebrating its fourth year and will have, on a single day, an outpour of people from across the world and the emirates to Ras Al Khaimah. Hotels have already started getting bookings for the event and word has been spread through social utility websites such as Facebook etc. Nathan Clayton, Race Director of the RAK Half Marathon and Managing Director of Premier Marathons, the organising company behind the Middle East’s highest accredited road race states that the marathon has been very successful in the past few years and has had a good participation from across the emirates. “People have driven down from Abu Dhabi and Al Ain as well. Locals have started participating in the race and last year, we
even had an Emirati lady who took part. We hope and wish that there is more of local participation for the event,” he states. The 2009 RAK Half Marathon was dominated by Oromo and Kenyan athletes and Dire Tune stormed into the finishing line to take the first place and a prize money of $28,000 in the women’s event. The
registrations of the race have started early so as to allow access to more people joining the marathon and to help HR managers advertise or prepare company teams, an aspect that has become extremely popular within the event. Not content with just opening registration for the Half Marathon and the normally over-subscribed Team
Winners are all smiles
Relay Challenge, race organisers have simultaneously re-launched the event website with a fresh new feel and the ability to browse through it in a choice of English, Arabic or German. “We introduced the Arabic language site last year and felt this year, due to the popularity of the event and Ras Al Khaimah itself with the German people and their love of running, that it was appropriate to offer a higher level of service to German speakers.” adds Clayton. The route map of the race is available on the website and the day will not have traffic on the roads. It offers over $400,000 in cash prizes, making it the world’s richest half marathon and shall have several categories that include and Open Category for Men - List A and List B, Open Category for Women List A and B, a Master’s Category for Men (Men born on or before 19.02.1965) and Master’s Category for Women(Masters Women born on or before 19.02.1970)) , a UAE Resident’s Category (Men) and a UAE Resident Category (Women), a UAE National Category ( Men) and a UAE National Category ( Women) apart from a Relay Team Challenge. As for the programme of the day, all events (the Half Marathon, the Team Relay Challenge and the 6K Fun Run) will start and finish at the same place just about opposite to the City Hotel and at the end of the
Manar Mall car park next to the Carrefour sign as per the website. The Half Marathon and the Team Relay Challenge will run on the same route. The course will start on and run south along Al Muntasir Road to the first crossroads where it will turn right and run along the edge of the Mangrove Swamp to the Police Officers Club (3.5km) where runners will turn right and run along and past the Sheikh Zayed Mosque along the Al Qawasim Corniche Road. The route will then turn left head south again down Al Nahda Street (6-7km) and then left to the Al Shuhada Roundabout with a gentle
curve around (8km) to bring runners on to the south side of the Mangrove Swamp Road and will continue until and turn right at the Ruler’s Palace (11km) and run along
Khuzam Road to the Sheikh Abdullah Bin Muhammed Al Qasimi Roundabout (13.5km). Runners will then run straight (over) the roundabout and continue up to the Coffee Pot roundabout, again run straight (over) to the intersection of Sultan Al Kabeer Road where they will U-turn (15km) and return along the north side of Khuzam Road, past the Ruler’s Palace (18km) and turn right back onto the south side of the Mangrove Road to the first crossroads where they will turn left and head back to the finish line with a good final sprint. For participants, water stations and energy drink stations will be located every 2.5km. Medical Stations will be positioned every 5km and there will be toilet facilities at the start and finish point, 5km, 10km and 15km points.
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Entertainment
Old Castle
Polar Mountains (Water slides)
The WOW Factor! Bask in the sun, soak in the fun
Iceland Water Park, the first offering of Ras Al Khaimah’s WOW RAK Theme Park destination, to open in spring this year
The
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January of 2009 saw snow in the RAK mountains. The spring of 2010 shall have snow descend the shores of RAK in the Jazirat Al Hamra area with the Iceland Water Park, the first major attraction of WOW RAK – the 120-acre, complete family entertainment destination. WOW RAK, promoted by Polo RAK Amusements LLC, is a joint venture between Polo Amusement Park India, RAKIA and RAK Properties. It includes an amusement park, shopping mall and resort . Its name is suggested by HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah himself, who is a keen supporter of the venture. The park is being developed as a family aquatic centre, spread over 100,000 sq meters, to tap a wide range of age, lifestyle and culture groups. With a panoramic view of the Al Hajjar Mountains in the East and the Arabian Gulf in the North, the venue blends the scenic beauty of the mountains and the spirit of the sea to provide a unique setting. With a day design capacity of 10,000 persons, the Ice Land Water Park would cater to the resident population as well as tourists, both domestic and international. Its theme depicts the Arctic life and revolves around snow mountains and penguins, with the penguin as a mascot. Guests would experience snow at the entrance foyer, an exciting start for a memorable experience. The park’s landmark attraction is called the
Penguin Falls, the world’s largest man-made waterfall that stands 120 feet tall and 540 feet wide with 100,000 gallons of water cascading down its contours each minute. The falls serve as a befitting entrance to the zone which accommodates the reception area, ticketing counters and guest facilities, changing areas and lockers. An extension of the mountains along the western edge features the Slide Zone of the water park, as 24 water slides emerge from five towers from heights as much as 110 feet giving the visitors a majestic view and a unique experience as they slide down snow clad mountains and mountain streams. Two towers along the eastern side feature two Tornado Spin Slides and the Boomerango, completing the water slide experience. Penguin Bay is an interactive water play area, the largest rain dance pool in the world measuring 30,000 sq feet, offering shaded discos, open discos, rain showers and the “Rock Hoppers Den” a fully - equipped stage with acoustics and theatre lighting for pulsating performances. Rain dance and on -the- spot contests would be a regular feature there. Melting glaciers and tidal waters find their way to the lowlands and the mountain stream is tamed into a lazy river as it circumvents the Penguin Bay winding through dark caverns. Novel attractions include Aqua Games; a regular soccer field with soft turf, shallow water and rain showers to offer a fresh soccer experience; with the Coral Reef bringing a real life snorkelling experience in a man-made coral reef with live fish.
Dr Khater Massaad, CEO RAKIA
For those awaiting leisure experience of spas and jacuzzis, the Tundra Baths carry with them a legacy of therapeutic powers of hydro massage. Kids Cove, a dedicated place for toddlers (who are often overlooked in facility planning) has shallow waters, miniature slides and sand pit. Other attractions include a Wave Pool measuring 38,750 sq feet, an Olympic size swimming pool and a Whirl Pool. The food and beverage caters to all palates through The Platter, located at the Penguin Bay offering platter foods. The Food Village, a full blown food court with 14 outlets and sea -side seating for 660 covers, and The Old Castle with 160 covers overlooking the Arabian Sea, offers buffet and a la carte options. In terms of infrastructure, the venue does it all in- house. This includes its 4mw in- house
Kids Cove
Food Court
power generation, running a 525,000 gallons/ day water desalination plants, water recycling plants,horticulture etc. The venue provides car parking for almost 2,500 vehicles and 75 buses. Keeping in mind the strong sun, shaded seating has been provided for 2,000 guests. This also includes wellfurnished wooden cabanas for those seeking elite privacy. The entire walkway of the park is covered with synthetic turf, which not only prevents slips and falls but also provides comfort to bare feet from the sweltering heat. The park is covered by an integrated RFID system to include ticketing, access control, lockers, food court and merchandising transactions. Guest safety would be monitored by trained life guards and a CCTV network covering all critical areas. Work has already commenced on the second phase of WOW RAK. The 180-room seaside resort is likely to be completed in 18 months and would offer night stay options, conference facilities,charter fishing trips, day cruise, night cruise with dinner, and on board recreation. The 130,000 sq feet shopping mall is being built, and so is the 25 acre Amusement Park – Planet Earth with five intensively themed zones. For more information, please contact info@wowrak.org or visit www.wowrak.org or call +971504321327. Penguin Falls
Highlights
Penguin Falls, the world’s largest man-made waterfall (120 feet tall and 540 feet wide with 100,000 gallons of water cascading down each minute). Penguin Bay, the largest rain dance pool in the world measuring 30,000 sq feet with shaded discos, open discos, rain showers and the “Rock Hoppers Den” -a fully equipped stage with acoustics and theatre lighting for performances Aqua games like aqua soccer played in a field with soft turf, shallow water and rain showers! Coral Reef Snorkelling experience in a man-made coral reef with live fish.
“As a Theme Park designer and developer, I was given a blank canvas and a challenge. With the support of Dr Khater Massaad, we are looking at positioning ourselves as among the Top 5 parks worldwide with unique experiences,” says, Balwant Singh, Managing Director Polo RAK Amusements LLC, Past President
Indian Association of Amusement Parks and Industries and Panel Member, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), for Development of Standards for Amusement Parks in India. Singh is slated as a ‘Theme Park Guru’ by the press and is very optimistic about Ras Al Khaimah as a destination for the theme park. “WOW RAK has been conceived to be a complete family entertainment destination as we say ‘Where the Fun Never Ends’. The Iceland Water Park, our first offering would have a mix of traditional as well as virgin concepts in water park attractions. It would be what you expect and more,” says Santokh Chawla, Jt Managing Director, Polo RAK Amusements LLC and Ist Vice President Indian Association of Amusement Parks and Industries.
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Interview
Mountain of Hope The wise vision and leadership of HH Sheikh Saud is the main driving force behind the continuous development of industries in RAK
“We
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have but our mountains,” stated HH Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and Member of the Supreme Council of the UAE, when he opened the region’s first cement plant in the seventies. Continuing the spirit of enterprise, and creating various free zones in the emirate, thereby inviting vast industrial development across various sectors, Sheikh Saqr’s illustrious son, HH Sheikh Saud, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah led RAK towards industrialisation by establishing free zones, while upgrading its existing industries. Sheikh Saud increased the capacity of the various rock and cement plants and turned rocks and limestone into an important industry. Today, RAK is the biggest source for cement and rocks in the UAE for a majority of the island developments in the country - The Palm trilogy, Al Marjan Islands, Mina Al Arab, Al Nujoom Island, Dubai Maritime City etc. Naser Bustami, Group General Manager, Stevin Rock LLC, Ras Al Khaimah Rock Company and Saqr Port Authority states,“ We shall be maintaining current selling prices, collecting payments on time and maintaining the same volumes of production as the years 2008 and 2009.” Stevin Rock LLC, operational in RAK since 1975, produces and sells high-grade limestone, Gabbro rock, concrete and asphalt aggregates for the construction markets. Ask him how RAK’s legendary spirit of enterprise continues to thrive despite the current economic crisis, and he credits it
Naser Bustami
to the able leadership of HH Sheikh Saud. But what are the steps that the industrial sector in RAK has taken to strengthen its industrial base, operations as well as distribution? “We have programmed and executed investments in the infrastructure of each company in the last few years to ensure that future developments go as planned. In fact, some of those have been executed too. We have diversified markets to include local, regional and international sectors, built a strong customer base that appreciates quality and service, and rely
on our ability to produce products as per international standards with value added benefits and economical prices,” he states. What about RAK’s several ports and a host of free zone companies that produce freight? Are there any steps to increase the visibility of ports in RAK on the world radar? “Saqr Port is the largest bulk handling port in the region and we are master planning further expansions,” states Bustami adding “RAK Maritime City, the new industrialised city near Saqr Port with an initial investment of $200 million will be operational in 2010 to serve as a dry dock and shipyard/ship repair facility with emphasis on light to medium industry” RAK’s USPs are several. “The emirate has a strong leadership that spearheads its development. It is a strong base in the UAE for the main industries, such as pharmaceuticals, ceramics, cement, glass, steel, construction aggregate and rock, manufacturing, and processing. Now, tourism to RAK is increasing. The emirate is becoming a preferred destination due to its scenic views, amazing beaches and allied infrastructure,” adds Bustami.
RAK Maritime Maritime City, City,the thenew newindustrialised industrialised city city near Saqr Saqr Port Port with withan aninitial initialinvestment investment ofof $200 US$ million, will be in 2010 to serve 200 million willoperational be operational in 2010 to as serve a dry dock and shipyard/ship shipyard/ship repair as a dry-dock, repairfacility facilitywith with emphasis on on light lightto tomedium mediumindustry industry
The Government of Ras Al Khaimah
Saqr Port Authority
The Government of Ras Al Khaimah Saqr Port Authority is ideally situated close to the major shipping lines and the Strait of Hormuz. Saqr Port is located at Khour Kuwair, Ras Al Khaimah’s modern and fast-growing industrial complex. Imports of raw materials to support local industry are efficiently handled and the port also offers a convenient outlet for manufactured materials for the constructions industry, which are exported throughout the Middle East. Saqr Port was built by order of HIS HIGHNESS SHEIKH SAQR BIN MOHAMMED AL QASIMI, SUPREME COUNCIL MEMBER AND RULER OF RAS AL KHAIMAH. Open in 1977, it maintains the UAE’s historical maritime connections. Saqr Port offers modern facilities for the UAE. Importer and for transhipment, traffic to other Gulf countries, India and Pakistan. The country’s excellent road network makes overland transhipment throughout the Middle East a realistic possibility for shippers and importer. Saqr Port is also the closest port to Bander Abbas, for transhipment by sea to Iran. In 2004, KGL PI signed a 21-year concession agreement with the Ras Al Khaimah government to develop and operate the Saqr Port Container Terminal. With a total investment exceeding US$50 million, KGL PI is currently modernizing, developing and improving operations at the container terminal with throughput expected to reach 300,000 TEUS per year in its third year of operations. The geographical position makes it an ideal port for transhipment operations. The Port has a positive approach to transhipment cargo, combining flexible traffic, professional supervision and minimal documentation to assist shippers and consignees alike. Sea/Air cargo through Saqr Port to Ras Al Khaimah Airport, or any other international airport in the UAE, will save a minimum of 24 hours compared to using any other port in UAE. Long-term storage areas are located close to the berths to minimize handling costs. Large ships can discharge in Saqr Port and cargo’s can be reduced to convenient sized shipments for reloading and smaller vessels, to serve ports in the Gulf, India and Pakistan, where severe draft and size limitation are imposed. Distribution and packing centres can be established within the Port at reasonable rates. Saqr Port has eight deep-water berths, each 200-meter long and dredged to 12.2 meters at mean low water spring tide. Two Ro-Ro ramps are available, plus specialized berths for handling bulk cement and aggregate. The Port is well equipped to handle all types of cargo, with mobile cranes, forklifts, trailer and yard hustles. Bunkers supplies of fuel oil, gas oil and blends are available ex-quay at most berths. Vessels bound for the Port should advise their Agent of ETA Saqr Port giving draft, LOA and full cargo details, at least 48 hours prior to arrival. When in range, vessels should call Saqr Port control on VHF channel 14 or 16 for berthing instruction. Pilotage is compulsory. Pilots board in the vicinity of the “Saqr Port Approach Buoy” (R&W Sph.Iso.6 secs in position lat. 26 00.0’N long. 56 02.0’E; chart BA 3174 refers). A safe pilot ladder must be rigged for the pilot to embark. Tugs, Mooring launches and mooring gangs are available. The Harbour and approach channel are dragged to 12.2 meters, although a draft limitation of 12 meters is imposed. Health and Immigration officials board the ship after berthing. Shore leave is normally generated to crews, provided passport or seaman’s books are deposited at the Saqr Port immigration office.
Government of Ras AL Khaimah Saqr Port Authority P.O.Box: 5130, Ras Al Khaimah, U.A.E. Tel No: +971 7 2668444 Fax: +971 7 2668533 Control Tower: +971 7 2668051 E-mail: info@saqrport.com Website: www.saqrport.com
Industrious RAK
Building the Nation Union Cement has been the pioneer on RAK’s industrial landscape for over three decades now
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first and the biggest cement manufacturer in the UAE with the world’s largest kiln, Union Cement (UCC), was set up in 1972 in the Khor Kwair Industrial Area by HH Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and Member of the Supreme Council of the U.A.E. The production commenced with the first line in 1975 under the management of “Norcem A.S.”, a member of HeidelbergCement Group. The second line started in 1977 followed by the third one in 1979. In 2006, UCC commissioned its milestone “Plant 4”, a 10,000 tonnes per day clinker production kiln that increased its capacity from 1.2 to 4.5 million tonnes per annum. In 2007, cement mills 5 & 6 also contributed
to add up to the company’s grinding capacity to 4.27 million tonnes per annum and this made UCC the biggest cement manufacturer in the UAE. This was after Kiln 4 was opened in 2007 by HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah UCC has a wide range of products, Ordinary Portland Cement, Low, Moderate and High Sulphate Resisting Cement and its own bulk tanker fleet. In 1980, the Union Cement Norcem Company (UCN), established jointly with Norcem AS of HeidelbergCement Group, started marketing and sales of American Petroleum Institute (API) certified oil well cement, produced in the UCC plant. UCN’s “Norwell” brand Oil Well Cement
has been part of the UAE’s oil industry for over 28 years now. Apart from these, UCC fulfils all kinds of cement requirements of the region. With its proximity to the Saqr Port, UCC has a logistical advantage to serve the markets in the Gulf, Middle East and East Africa. Client countries are Qatar, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Pakistan, Kuwait and Yemen. While cement is transported mainly by road to the other emirates of the UAE and Qatar, other exports are done by sea. UCC obtained its ISO 9000 certification in 1994 as the first cement manufacturer in the Middle East, in 1980, it added API Spec Q1 certification and in 2000, added ISO 14001 certification in line with its dedication to the environment.
CEMENTING GROWTH Over the last 33 years UCC contributed to the growth of the U.A.E. with its high quality cement and customer care. UCC shall continue cementing the growth with its bigger capacity in future.
P.O. Box 170, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. Tel: +971 7 266 8166, Fax: +971 7 266 8635 Email: uccrak@eim.ae
www.uccrak.com
RAK on a Roll
Two new labour offices announced T
he Ministry of Labour has announced that it will open two new labour offices in Ras Al Khaimah shortly, to increase accessibility and improve the services rendered to the people in the emirate. The offices will be opened in the Nakheel area which is the busiest in the emirate, with one to be located near the Central Post Office and the other opposite the exhibition grounds. Saeed Askar Al Nuaimi, Director of the Labour Office in Ras Al Khaimah, said the new offices, which were proposed by the ministry, would help ease work for traders and business establishments in Nakheel and surrounding areas. Besides being far from many business and commercial establishments, the only Labour Office in the emirate witnesses huge rush resulting in delay in transactions. The economic growth being experienced in the emirate, which includes business developments and industries, has led to a growth in the emirate’s population which requires more labour offices, said Al Nuaimi. The new offices will operate for 12 hours from 8am daily. The premises will have a cafeteria and a commercial bank too.
Airways Revived ? T 46
Lawyers’ Affairs Panel Reshuffled A
n Emiri Decree towards reconstituting the Lawyers’ Affairs Committee in RAK has been issued by HH Shaikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. According to Emiri Decree 14 of 2009, issued pursuant to the Law of Organising of Legal Profession of 2004, a new seven-member committee has been formed under the chairmanship of Ahmed Al Khatri, Chairman of RAK Courts Department. The other members of the Lawyers Affairs Committee are M. Naji Derbala, Judge of RAK Cassation Court, Jihad Quzmar, Legal Advisor to the Government of Ras Al Khaimah, Ahmed H. Hamdan, President in the RAK Appeals Court, Ahmed Saleh Al Shehhi, Attorney General, Hasan Muhaimed, Judge and Acting Director-General of RAK Courts Department and Nada Mohammad Dallak, a woman lawyer practicing in the emirate. The committee has been tasked to organise the lawyers’ profession in the emirate, including the registration of lawyers and conduct of their advocacy affairs before the RAK Courts. It will have the mandate to ensure good performance of legal practice in the emirate as laid out in the Lawyers’ Profession Law of 2004 and to raise the levels of legal service standards. As per the decree, the committee will also have the right to grant special permission to one or more lawyers from foreign countries, who are not registered in the local Lawyers Register, to conduct a trial in one or more cases at the RAK Courts. The committee has a renewable tenure or two years.
he UAE will get its third budget carrier shortly as RAK Airways readies for an overhaul Ras Al Khaimah’s carrier has turned focus to smaller aircraft with capacities of 100 to 120 seats and will look to replicate Sharjahbased Air Arabia’s low-cost model. As per Oussama El Omari, Chief Executive Officer of RAK Free Trade Zone, “The feasibility studies have been completed and the airline’s restructuring is almost complete. It will not compete with the Emirates but rather with Air Arabia’’. “The aim is to target executives and economy passengers. The
airline is being restructured to meet the market needs,” Omari said. The Ras Al Khaimah carrier was created by the emirate’s government in 2005 and started operations at the end of 2007. The airline carried about 125,000 passengers in 2008 before suspending services in December due to difficulties with its aircraft. It subsequently reduced its fleet size from three aircraft to one, and terminated its services to Dhaka, Colombo, Calicut and Chittagong. The airline also ran on a charter-only basis using its only aircraft, a Boeing 757-200. The cost of operating an airline with just one aircraft, besides logistics, was the key factor that forced the airline to terminate operations last year. RAK Airways has been in negotiations for sometime with Boeing thereafter to lease and purchase up to four Boeing single-aisle 737 aircraft, according to industry sources. With these new aircraft, the airline is planning to launch services to new international destinations such as Brussels, Dusseldorf and Beirut as and when it restarts operations. Besides, the airline has on order four new 737-800s worth Dh1.65 billion (Dh6.06bn), for delivery by 2011. Omari said the strategy would now be to acquire smaller capacity aircraft to suit a low cost model.
The name to build on...
AL GHAYL INDUSTRIAL AREA, AL GHAYL, PO BOX: 4423 RAS AL KHAIMAH
E
m a i l :
c o n t a c t @ p i o n e e r c e m e n t s . a e
Contemporary Art competition R
AK Hospital, a state-of-the-art healthcare facility jointly set up by the Ras Al Khaimah Government and ETA Star Healthcare, will host a unique contemporary art competition and exhibition on the theme ‘Tracking the Emirates, under the patronage of Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi’ in March, 2010. With an aim to support and strengthen the local and regional art scene, the hospital has tied up with Swiss Art Gate UAE (SAGUAE) to host the three-month long exhibition beginning March 22, 2010. The registration to the competition closed on December 10. RAK Hospital and SAGUAE together promise exposure to the unique talent across the region. They intend to select artists who will create new artworks depicting their roots and experiences with the past, the present or future of life in the UAE. The artworks to be exhibited will include paintings, prints, installations, sculptures, video art or photographs, created especially for this exhibition. All entries will be judged by a professional jury to shortlist up to 15 artists whose selected works will be displayed at the exhibition.
New Transport System on Track T
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he RAK Transport Authority, RAKTA is soon to introduce as many as 75 new buses that will work within the boundaries of RAK and connect the emirate with the rest of the UAE. A total of 50 buses will be dedicated for routes in RAK and the rest will connect RAK with other emirates. According to Jason Farhat, Director of Commercial and Investment Affairs at the Transport authority, five routes will be created within Ras Al Khaimah in a circular fashion, and they will start form the emirate’s centre moving out to the borders. He said the new buses will be of various sizes, accommodating 14 to 30 passengers, and are provided with the world’s latest standards for passenger convenience. Farhat said by the beginning of October, more than 90 per cent of the taxis owned by individuals will disappear from the streets, and none will be left by the end of this year. A total of 1,200 taxis, owned by three transportation companies,
Municipality swoops down on errant stores T
he Public Health and Environment Department at the emirate’s municipality have seized huge quantities of different types of toy guns, which proved to be extremely harmful for youngsters. According to Adel Al Suwaidi, who heads the department, a fine of Dh2,000 was imposed on every violating shop along with official warning letters instructing these shops, mainly small groceries which are in different areas of the emirate, to avoid selling such products which expose the little ones to threats.Al Suwaidi said the municipal inspectors have been given very strict instructions to seize all types and shapes of these dangerous guns, impose fines and issue warning letters to the violators. He said the aim of the municipality was to ensure total public safety.
will meet the emirate’s needs. He added that the Transport Authority has already started paying compensation to Emirati owners of the number plates of the old taxis, and each of them will receive Dh500. He said that 27 Emirati taxi drivers have also been given Dh10,000 in compensation along with their monthly payments and that those drivers have already received their compensation. He stressed that the replacement of the old taxis is currently on track and that the final target of replacing all these taxis will be achieved as per the schedule set up by the emirate’s authorities. Farhat said the authority is currently working on setting up 60 family taxis that can be used by families and women. He said that a study is under review to set up taxis that are dedicated to driving children to schools and employees to their workplaces. Families and employees can sign up for long-term contracts with the authority. For the time-being, the RAK Taxi Stand includes buses which take passengers to Umm Al Quwain for Dh10 per passenger, Ajman for Dh15, and Sharjah and Dubai for Dh20. Farhat said the service will be extended to Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. The Transport Authority will grant privileged rights to companies from Fujairah to run the service connecting the two emirates. He said the RAK Transport Authority is currently discussing with its counterpart authorities in the other emirates to allow its buses to load passengers from these emirates on their way back to Ras Al Khaimah.
PWD to fine sewage dumpers D
rivers of sewage tankers, who are found dumping sewage or waste in non-designated areas and residential neighbourhoods, will risk stiff penalties, according to a warning issued by the municipality. Adil Ali Al Deek, chief of the Environmental and Health Department, RAK Municipality, said scores of residents have been complaining that some drivers were blatantly emptying their sewage tankers near residential areas, posing a risk to public health. He noted that the dumping of sewage or other forms of wastes in places other than the designated areas is a violation of law. “It is everyone’s responsibility to protect public health. Owners of sewage tankers should monitor their operations and ensure that their drivers comply with the laws,” he added. Violators would risk stiff penalties, including hefty fines, impounding of
Consumer Court soon T
he Ministry of Economy (MoE) will set up three consumer courts by the year-end in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah. Dr Hashim Al Nuaimi, director of Consumer Protection in the ministry, said they will be the first of their kind in the UAE. The courts will specifically deal with consumer complaints, fraudulent activities of traders and other malpractices in the markets, Al Nuaimi said. These courts will conduct speedy procedures and protect the consumer’s rights more efficiently. The ministry recently wrote to courts in the three emirates and urged them to facilitate setting up of these facilities. These courts will look into cases brought directly by consumers and ascertain action against exploitation or fraud by any dealer or institution in the country. Consumers would lodge complaints in their emirates, Al Nuaimi said. Complaints lodged through the MoE’s website or its 20 hotline numbers in the country will be studied and referred to the relevant court, Al Nuaimi said. In taking this measure, the ministry seeks to strike a balance between the privileges of consumers and traders and ensure equal rights. This will promote investment in the country. The Ministry of Justice had issued a decree in April this year for the establishment of specialised departments in the Federal Courts of First Instance in different emirates of the country to deal with the consumer rights issues. The 10 courts include the Federal Courts of First Instance in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah, Khor Fakkan, and Kalba, and the District Courts of Dibba Al Husn, Dibba Fujairah, Al Dhaid and Al Madam.
the sewage tankers and confiscation of driving licence. Johnny Nacola, director of Department of Public Works and Services in Ras Al Khaimah stressed that after the department received complaints from residents, a special team was pressed into service and all garbage containers were emptied and the surroundings cleaned. The official said that both his department and the municipality are keen on maintaining a clean environment and protecting public health
Police DG receives French Consul-General D
irector-General of Ras Al-Khaimah Police, Major General Sheikh Talib bin Saqr Al-Qasimi, received at his office French Consul General, Nada Yafi, accompanied by a number of staff of the French Consulate General. During the meeting, they reviewed relations in the areas of security and ways to boost those ties for the mutual interest of the two countries. They also discussed sharing of experience and expertise, encouraging talents and training them to be able to face challenges. Sheikh Talib stressed the need to continue holding such a meeting, exchanging of visit and sharing of experience between various French bodies and their UAE counterparts to achieve targeted objectives in various areas.
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RAK on a Roll
Hotels win EAWS certification Al
Hamra Hotels and Resorts and Khatt Springs Hotel & Spa have been awarded the European Wellness Certificates after successfully passing a rigorous audit by the European Audit Institute Wellness & SPA SCE (EAWS) - the only awarding body in Europe that offers a Wellness Quality Certificate with a seal and guarantee of a publicly certified and sworn expert for wellness concepts and wellness facilities. Al Hamra Beach Resort and Khatt Springs Hotel & SPA are the first hotels in the UAE to receive such distinctions. Michael El Nayal, Member of the Board, Hamra Hotels and Resorts states, “The stamp of approval from the European Audit Institute Wellness & SPA reaffirms our strong commitment to deliver the highest quality in terms of service and hotel facilities. We will continue to identify new ways to further raise the
bar of excellence in the hospitality sector and ensure a consistently enjoyable and memorable experience for all our guests.” Founded by hotel and wellness experts from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, The Wellness Quality Certificate awarded to the team EAWS offers the Wellness Europe takes into account other facets of the hotel, Certificate in three categories: Wellness & including the range of its healthy food and SPA Europe Certificate, Golf & SPA Europe beverage products, value-added offerings Certificate and Medical SPA Europe for outdoor and nature activities and even Certificate. Aside from the quality of spa cultural events held within the hotel or in and wellness service, the certification also the surrounding area.
VLCC in RAK VLCC
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, the region’s preventive healthcare services and beauty brand opened its branch at Ras Al Khaimah. This is the 10th VLCC centre in UAE and the 13th addition in its regional network. It was inaugurated by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Kayed Al Qasimi, Vice Chairman of RAK Economic Development Department and attended by Mukesh Luthra, Chairman, VLCC Group and other top officials from VLCC International. The newly opened centre is expected to provide a totally new weight management and health experience both for residents and tourists of RAK. The latest services from VLCC: Waist and Tummy Trim (WTT) Treatment, Arms, Hips & Thighs (AHT) Treatment and hair treatments for hair loss and dandruff will also be available here. According to Mukesh Luthra, Chairman, VLCC Group, “The new VLCC centre in RAK is part of our strategy to meet growing
demand spurred by a burgeoning population and a higher standard of living. We have observed a crucial need for a reliable solution that provides VLCC’s RAK unit holistic health and complete wellness, which VLCC helps to address.” Sandeep Ahuja, Managing Director, VLCC, added that despite irregular market conditions VLCC is continuing to keep up its aggressive growth plans through intensive expansion and investment in the UAE and the region. “Last month VLCC opened new centres in
Al Ain and Bahrain, which is now followed by the RAK centre and our second outlet in Muscat,” he stated. The centre will also showcase VLCC’s comprehensive range of skin-care, bodycare and hair-care products. Patrons can choose from over 100 herbal-based VLCC Personal care products.
Musings from Saqr Park
51
Education
AURAK brand of Scholastics Tucked
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into the northern emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is a brand new university proudly bearing the name of the community it calls home. American University of Ras Al Khaimah offers students of the UAE, the Gulf countries, the greater geographic region from Pakistan and India in the East to the nations of North Africa top quality higher education in a top of the Emirates location. Students earning their four-year American degrees in Business Administration, Biotechnology and Computer Engineering meander through shaded gardens between classes and there is always a moment to look up to the amethyst mountains of the Jebel Hajjar in the distance with an appreciation and respect for their rugged resilience. What better environment in which to study the exacting yet creative science of Biotechnology or Business or Computer Engineering? AURAK students are fully engaged in programmes that lead to exciting and fulfilling careers either in the UAE or in their home countries. For example, Biotechnology graduates will enter a $30 billion a year industry that develops diagnostic medical tests, monitors and supports a healthier environment, and even manages
DNA fingerprinting. Biotech graduates work in forensics, wildlife management and all industrial sectors. Supporting the academic programmes in place at AURAK is the English Language Program. The programme is designed to meet the varied needs of learners with programmes for IELTS and TOEFL testtakers, students who need to improve their academic English skills in order to continue their studies, the workforce of the community who need English for business purposes and high school students. All the activities and studies of the American University of Ras al Khaimah are designed to stimulate thinking and add quality to student life. Students have visited the Global Village, the
Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi and have held numerous sports events. Construction is well underway on luxury student accommodations and a stateof-the-art student centre. Student rooms feature fully outfitted kitchenettes, tiled showers, balconies, under-bed storage and individual desks. The university’s development plans are designed to meet the needs of the region’s growing student population and educating them for the jobs of the future. The university focus is on the greater community with social engagement and outreach programmes aimed at all ages and interests. Like all great universities of the world, American University of Ras Al Khaimah is open to visitors and inquiring students.
Free Trade Zone
as well as assist in client relations and providing aftersales services to new and existing clients in RAK FTZ.
Seminar and road show targets Syrian SMEs
RAKFTZ making new strides New German desk launched
The
newly launched German Desk, is RAKFTZ’s valueadded service for German clients. It is available at the RAK FTZ Business Park and aims to assist all German partners and companies within the free zone to serve as an immediate and quick source of information and an extended service centre. It is even manned by a dedicated Germanspeaking RAK FTZ representative. The desk is a welcome addition to the long list of RAK FTZ services, especially with the increasing number of German companies within the free zone. For the first half of the year
alone, 21 per cent of RAK FTZ registered companies came from the European Union, with over 250 originating from Germany. The specialised German desk will complement the existing liaison and promotion office in Cologne, Germany,
RAKFTZ’s recent roadshow in Syria introduced its cost-effective convenient business solutions. As part of the promotional campaign, its representatives held a seminar at the Four Seasons Hotel Damascus. Owners of family businesses and other small and medium enterprises attended the event to discover different products and services offered. RAK FTZ highlighted promotional packages specially tailored for Syrian companies, one of which is the shared office facility from $5,500.00, one of the most convenient and cost-effective entry-level packages consisting of a networked desk that comes with a telephone line, private email address and office facilities. The zone is also promoting the Executive Office Package, a ready-to-use office space fully equipped with IT and telecommunication infrastructure, to all interested Syrian companies. Road-shows are a major part of RAK FTZ’s strategy to attract more investors into the UAE through their customisable business set-ups. RAK FTZ, which was named the ‘Best Emerging Free Zone’ for the third consecutive year during the 2009 Annual Middle East Logistics Awards (MELA), also offers facilities in the RAK FTZ Academy Zone and Industrial & Technology Parks.
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Interview
Business and Life Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone has achieved its target of enlisting over 2000 companies by the end of 2009, bringing in a more defined multicultural environment to RAK
It
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is the best of times and it is the worst of times, to quote Dickens. While the recession has cut jobs and created a lull across various segments, for several people, the time offers a great opportunity to set up businesses where costs are low and there is a support of able leadership. “Aggressive promotions and well chalked out marketing strategies always help,” says Oussam Al Omari, CEO of the RAKFTZ - one of the fastest growing and most cost-effective free trade zones in the UAE and home to some 7,000 companies. Established in 2000, Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ) tops the list of fDi Magazine’s best free zones list in the Middle East and earned the 17th position of fDi magazine’s Top 100 Special Economic Free Zone of the Future 2008/2009. Recently it was awarded as ‘Best Website of a Free Zone or Export Processing Zone’ from The World Free Zone Convention (WFZC) in Hyderabad, India. Oussama Al Omari, CEO, RAKFTZ explains how it is possible to be a successful free zone, award the investors a great space to do business without compromising on lifestyle and family needs. How do you weave business and lifestyle through the RAKFTZ? If you think that free zones are mere territorial areas that do business and rope in more businesses, you need to rethink. The free zone is not an area but a programme to get to business easily. Clients do not have
to go through various departments to get work done. So, be it law, legislations, procedures related to set up businesses, everything is done under one roof. That is the business part of it. But businesses people have families too. What is the point in having a free zone where the business is great but the family back home have no where to go to. So, a good free zone is an entire programme that addresses all the needs of the client who proposes to set up business in RAK – be it his own demands of office, space, paper work and other legalities, or the personal needs of his family – good schools, hospitals, entertainment areas, hotels, cinemas etc. Free zones get people together. If an investor from a foreign country comes into a free zone, he must feel welcomed and included with the community there. He shouldn’t feel alienated where people look down on him or his culture, but embrace the diversity they see through him. The more multicultural a people are, the more open minded they become. By getting people from across the world, free zones facilitate that openness. What are the core strengths of the RAKFTZ? Personal approach, getting close to the clients, understanding their business and related needs are one of the key factors we focus on. Another major aspect is
Oussama Al Omari
innovation. We always go by ‘what is the feel of the client’, ‘how can we help them’, ‘how can we think of solutions for them’? By constantly innovating of better services to our clients, we have been successful in our endeavours. Businesses need costs, clients, leads etc and our core strength is helping our clients. For us, the entire process is akin to watching a baby grow - till it is independent to be on its own. As for clients based outside RAK, we have offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Germany, Turkey, India, UK etc who use our services. We are technologically advanced and connected
well to our clients and our credibility helps them in their business too. Has work been affected by the recession? We have met our targets despite the recession. This is because we have planned our recruitments, clients and targets carefully. We have also been very active in our extra marketing programmes across the world. Tell us about the IT Park as well as your other expansion plans within RAK? In terms of the Technology Park, we are spread across 70 hectares and the space generates its own cargo. It has some unique industries like CD plants, armed vehicles manufacturing with technology imported from the US, UK and Canada. At Al Ghayl, we have our base of heavy industries. We are working on various parts of the airport with the MRO programme catering to special aircraft. We are also working on a $350 million Navigator Business Centre. This will be a business park by the sea, next to the area near the New Hilton Hotel. All facilities will be near on another and the place aims to attract investors, tourists, residents etc where people will work, live, visit or invest. It will comprise 10 million sq ft of development by the sea and be connected to a marina – that makes it a unique project indeed. The RAKFTZ has brought several educational institutions to the emirate? Are there plans for more? RAK has a thrust on tourism and industrial services – and this is supported by its foray into education. RAK has always been an emirate that has supported the cause of education. The French hospitality school Vatel, located nest to the Hilton Hotel is already operational and has about 250 students. We have the Royal College, University of Bolton etc. We are also negotiating an aerospace educational university from South Africa that will have
space and flight education. We also have the American University of Ras Al Khaimah, RAKAAG School for girls as well as GEMSRAK. What about the Press Club? We have several people from the press who
visit RAK but lack proper infrastructure. At RAK FTZ, we have opened a Press Club for members of the press to share information and help us in our endeavour. It is located in our premises and is fully equipped with the requisite infrastructure.
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Interview
The Japanese Touch RAK offers great prospects for Japanese businessman, says Kenji Saito, Consul-General of Japan to the UAE
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my interactions with businessmen and investors in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, I have found that the emirate is extremely conducive for setting up businesses. The Japanese have been part of the UAE for several years now, but I think that they need to come here in huger numbers. I am very impressed by Ras Al Khaimah and its free zones and I wish several Japanese businessmen, set up their facilities here,” says Kenji Saito Consul General of Japan to the UAE Kenji Saito, Consul General CEO, Oussama El Omari and held with of Japan. We met him at the launch of him wide ranging discussions aimed Oishii Nippon (A Taste of Japan), the first at boosting business and investment dedicated store in Dubai selling premium relations between Ras Al Khaimah Japanese fruits, that officially opened its and Japan. The visit aims to provide doors today on the ground floor of the opportunity to further promote Jumeirah Center, under the management cooperation between Ras Al Khaimah and of Fit Fresh LLC, which he had inaugurated. Japan, exchange of experiences between “The number of Japanese people in the two sides and establish coordination the UAE is not as large as other South East with the Japanese Consul General to Asian communities, though there is a huge attract more Japanese investments to the potential for them here. I feel that their numbers can be much more. There aren’t RAK FTZ. too many Japanese businessmen who The Japanese Consul-General paid have ventured into this region and I wish a field visit to the RAK FTZ Industrial they do,” he states. About 180 Japanese Park, where he visited the venues of companies are currently operating in the key Japanese companies registered UAE. within the zone. He added that Japan Saito has met up with the RAKFTZ was looking forward to having new
partnerships involving sharing of experience, and exchanging of bilateral visits. In 2007, RAKIA signed an MOU with Japan Institute of Overseas Investment to promote Japanese Direct Investments in Ras Al Khaimah during the UAE – Japan Business Forum held in Tokyo in April 2007. “The UAE’s economic potential, stability, comfortable living conditions, advanced infrastructure and excellent business incentives have been attracting a number of Japanese businessmen and individuals to do profitable business there over the years. In fact, the UAE hosts the largest Japanese community in the Middle East and Africa are presently operating in UAE,” he adds. Eager to present the facilities in the free zones across the emirates, including RAK, to fellow Japanese businessmen, Saito calls for greater partnerships between the two countries. “For a large number of Japanese, the countries they do business with are Thailand and China. The UAE offers them great prospects and I want more of them to come and set up base in its shores,” he states.
Product watch
Towards a Green World RAK Ceramics strengthens portfolio of Green products as demand for sustainable building solutions increase
RAK
Ceramics, the world’s largest ceramic manufacturer has recently beefed up its portfolio of environmentally friendly products with the strategic addition of its energy saving façade system to its “RAKSLIM,” brand, in a move aimed at help addressing the UAE’s increasing demand for sustainable building and construction solutions. RAK Ceramics pointed out that a key indicator of the growing preference towards building sustainability is the significant increase in the growth rate of UAE-based firms involved in green building. RAK Ceramics also held a conference on November 24 at the Atlantis, the Palm Dubai; to discuss the energy-saving qualities of RAK Ceramics’ new façade system. RAK Ceramics’ ventilated facades have been developed to reduce the amount of heat and sound that buildings absorb, which make them perfect solutions for the hot weather conditions in the UAE and the rest of the Middle East. US-based Architect Richard P. Goldberg, AIA, CSI, NCARB, an authority on energy saving facades, will be the main speaker at the conference.
Abdallah Massaad, Assistant CEO, RAK Ceramics said: “The long-term strategy of the UAE is based primarily on the concept of sustainable development. This has accordingly influenced the increase in demand for sustainable building solutions as developers and contractors move to satisfy the stringent green building standards being imposed by the government. RAK Ceramics will act proactively to support this initiative and contribute towards achieving the UAE’s mission of reducing its carbon footprint through the use of a superior range of green-certified products and techniques.” ‘RAKSLIM’ is a durable, yet ultra-thin collection of large-format, fully-rectified porcelain tiles. Measuring 4.5mm in thickness, ‘Rakslim’ represents the perfect blend of technical finesse and design aesthetic. Offered in various sizes, ‘Rakslim’ tiles are lightweight and ideal to be used as indoor wall tile or for exterior cladding projects, and may also be specified for residential or light commercial flooring. Goldberg is the author of numerous technical articles and books published
worldwide. His most recent book is titled Direct Adhered Ceramic Tile Stone & Thin Brick Facades, which is considered the authoritative text on this emerging exterior building envelope technology. Goldberg is a frequent speaker at global technical conferences and trade shows such as Construction Specifications Institute, American Institute of Architects, International Masonry Institute, Brick Research Center Forum, Coverings / International Tile & Stone Exposition, USA, Qualicer, Spain and Cersaie, Italy. RAK Ceramics and its joint venture with Laticrete Inc., USA- a Global leader in green building products, - have joint focus on promoting innovative technologies for tile and stone-fixing. RAK Ceramics exports its innovative products and designs in ceramic tiles, Gres Porcellanato and sanitaryware to over 135 countries, targeting architects, project developers and retail customers. The company offers a perfect blend of technical finesse and aesthetics through 6,000 designs in ceramic tiles, Gres Porcellanato, and several models in sanitaryware.
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Malls
Mall News
Manar Mall to develop into a 130,000 square meter mall over three levels
Nestled beneath the Hajjar mountains, the thicket of mangroves and the backwaters, basking in natural light, Manar Mall is a delightful destination in itself. With its current plans at expansion, it hopes to rope in more shoppers and leisure seekers to its vast precincts. RAK Today spoke to Benoy Kurien, Mall Manager, Manar Mall
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`What are your plans at sprucing up Manar Mall? Manar Mall is one of the first shopping malls in the Northern Emirates operational since 2001. The mall will go in for a massive renovation, expansion and redevelopment soon to meet growing demand for retail space in Ras Al Khaimah and to maintain its position as the premier shopping and entertainment destination in the Northern Emirates. From a single level mall, we will develop into a 130,000 square meter mall over three levels of which 100,000 square meters will be leasable space. The design of the re-development has been finalised and tenants are already expressing interest in the project. We will be equipped with a brand new food court, family entertainment centre and additional anchors and a large variety of leading retailers already present in the UAE and a number of new brands not seen in the UAE.
to come here for shopping, entertainment and events. What has been the footfall in 2009? Do you see any difference due to the recession? The footfall of Manar Mall has reduced by 6-8per cent compared to 2008; this could be attributed to a number of factors including the economic slowdown or even to the opening of other malls in RAK.
Benoy Kurien
Have you tied up with the Economic Department for promoting tourism at RAK? In what capacity? We are in talks and discussions with the Economic Department of the RAK Government to organise a summer festival in RAK to get people from other emirates
Are you planning to rope in newer brands? Which are they? We have already brought in Aldo shoes, Aldo accessories, THM shoes, Carters and Accessorize in 2009. We cannot bring in more brands as there are no vacant spaces in the mall and there is no possibility of vacancies in the near future. Of course, we are accepting expressions of interest from leading brands for the expansion of Manar Mall.
Art & Design
Sagas Precious So you think that stories are merely narrated, read or written down? Sheikha Fatima bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, jewellery designer and member of the Ras Al Khaimah royal family, gets people to wear them too
How
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would it be, to have your life’s story embedded in a jewellery piece? Your unique qualities transformed into various precious gemstone or pearls – each, carefully chosen and put together, to represent you or your relationship with your family members, close relatives, friends or people you admire? HE Sheikha Fatima Al Qasimi, jewellery designer and member of the Ras Al Khaimah royal family, uses emotions to thread her pieces of jewellery together. As jewellery designer and a creative, out-ofthe box thinker, she uses stories to create magic. Like stories have characters, the characters in her ‘stories’ are the unique qualities of the person wearing the jewellery piece. For instance, the memento that she will soon present to HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, Vice-President of the UAE and Member of the Supreme Council of the UAE, is quite unique and represents his charisma, foresight and benevolence. “I started the
story of the jewellery piece with a gold coin, since Dubai is known widely for its gold. Since Sheikh Mohammed is a poet and a patriot, I used words from his own poem about the UAE and embedded it on the coin. The piece has a diamond because diamonds are forever and that is how I see his personality. Since he is known to be extremely kind to people and has a special affection for children, the edges of the jewel are softer. The piece also has elements of cultural architecture as Sheikh Mohammed is known to be extremely respectful of culture, apart from being modern in his sensibilities. For her uncle, HE Sheikh Talib bin Saqr Al Qasimi, who is the Director General of the RAK Police, Fatima has made an interesting piece. “My uncle was celebrating his 25th marriage anniversary and wanted the jewel to have his and his wife’s initials and the number 25. I incorporated all of it in a design that represented the qualities of Sheikh Talib and his wife, I have known them very closely since my childhood,” she states. Yet another of her creation, is
the RAK ring, a chunky ring made of three different coloured stones - blue to signify the sea, brown to depict the mountains, and yellow to symbolise the desert – three aspects with which Ras Al Khaimah is naturally and bountifully endowed. Sheikha Fatima is also chief designer of the Emirates Pearls Trading Company based in Ras Al Khaimah – the first company to have started cultured pearls production in the emirate, besides owning Duwan, her own designer store. “Abdullah Suwaidi the owner of the Emirates Pearl Trading Company has revoked a long-lost tradition with Japanese expertise under Imura Daiji. Both gentlemen hail from countries with a flourishing pearl trading history. While the UAE has been known for natural pearls, Japan is famous for cultured pearls,” she says. Extending the venture soon, Ras Al Khaimah will have a pearl’s museum in the corniche area and she will be in charge of the souvenir shop. “The shop is being built already and it shall also have various other products made in the UAE,” she adds. The place shall also have a Japanese restaurant
symbolising the coming together of two cultures recreating pearling history again. So, she has a natural affinity towards pearls? “Because they were once the lifeline of the UAE and responsible for the economy of this country. We were raised in the culture of pearls since they represent our history and our history is important to us. Also pearls have a classic and timeless quality about them,” she adds. Sheikha Fatima’s creative streak was quite evident from her early childhood years. “I was always into art right from Grade 2; I won my first competition at the Shankar’s Painting Competition. My teacher encouraged me and I had posted my entry to India,” she reminisces. By Grade 6, she had started designing her clothes. “It started off with designing clothes for my dolls and painting and drawing were always part of the deal. Also, I collected stones since an early age. Maybe, there was a trace of prophecy there,” she states. After school, she attended the University of Sharjah for a course in Business and Management and then went on to study Jewellery Management in the Higher Colleges of Technology and Jewellery design at the IGI before her foray into business. How much did her illustrious royal lineage help her in her life? “From my grandfather HH Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and Member of the Supreme Council of the UAE, I have learnt how to be down-to-earth and have empathy towards people, from my father, who is a very religious person, the right sense of judgement and compassion. When he was with the RAK Courts department, we often had many people living in our home.
As for her mother, Sheikha Fatima feels that she dedicated her life to her six children, their education and upbringing. “My mother has been educated abroad but has always been a cultural person. Education has been a top priority for her. We all topped our school grades and university as well. After school in RAK, we lived in Sharjah in dormitories during the course of our studies and managed ourselves quite well, even after living a sheltered and protected life at home for 16 years.” What about advice and help from her uncle, HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr bin Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah? “My uncle has always given me good business advice. He made me learn from my own mistakes. Whenever I met him, he asked me many questions regarding my business and his questions were enlightening. They really were the answers to many problems I encountered at work”. However, did her background of being a royal family member work to her advantage? “No,” she says emphatically. “On the contrary, people thought that since I am a Sheikha, it will be easy for me. If I scored well in my exams, the credit would always go to my position as a royal family member than my own merit as a student. Also, people thought that I was doing this to pass my time and did not take me seriously.” She was met with the same attitude when she started her business. “I worked in the Dubai Gold Souk to learn the practical side of the trade, and whenever I ordered something, people would quote three times the price, knowing that I was from a
Photos are from the new collection titled Sakura (Cherry blossom tree in Japanese). Made using RAK pearls, the collection is a true amalgamation of two pearling cultures, the UAE and Japan.
royal family. But it was a great learning experience and I faced tough times too. I was shouted at, I had water from the AC dripping on my head in some places etc, but it was challenging – in the bargain, I learnt to say no, that helped me in my business hugely,” she adds. Today Sheikha Fatima has a list of clients from across the UAE as well as the GCC countries. Does she have any favourites among designers? “Yes, I am extremely inspired by Ambaji Shinde, the late Indian jewellery designer,” she says. Shinde who was principal designer of Harry Winston, the New York jeweller who often lent his pieces to Hollywood stars for important events way back in 1943. They include $175,000 necklace that Gwyneth Paltrow wore to the Academy Awards ceremony in 1999; the 45.52-carat blue Hope Diamond reset by Mr. Shinde and worn, at different times, by Michelle Pfeiffer and Georgette Mosbacher. “Ambaji Shinde blended his Indian cultural heritage to his western customer’s demands and created distinctly western pieces. He was rooted to his traditions, started off in a small way and achieved great heights,” she adds. “I am a culture enthusiast,” says Sheikha, who derives inspiration from the places around her, the deserts, the beaches, the mountains etc. “I merely translate them into design,” she adds humbly. Simple, focussed, down-to-earth, ambitious, yet real, Sheikha Fatima’s outlook embodies this saying by Francis Bacon, “Virtue is like a rich stone, best plain set.”
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Art
Culture Canvas Ras Al Khaimah’s rustic natural beauty caught the eye of Canadian writer and artist Michael Kluckner
Impressed
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by the Hajjar mountains rising so close to the sea, Canadian writer and artist Michael Kluckner set his canvas on Ras Al Khaimah when he came visiting his daughter who works there. The result - a series of paintings that adorn his blog, along with sketches and paintings of the places he has visited from all over the world. Kluckner lives in Australia has written several books on the history of Canadian cities, heritage, planning issues and art,
some of which include Vancouver The Way It Was, Vanishing Vancouver, Paving Paradise, and British Columbia in Watercolour. The books have won numerous awards, including the Duthie Prize, the Vancouver Book Prize, the Toronto Book Prize (shortlist), the Hallmark Society (Victoria) Award of Merit, and the Heritage Canada Medal of Achievements. He speaks to RAK Today on what he found most impressive about RAK When did you first visit RAK? Tell us about what are the aspects of RAK that made their impressions on you? I visited RAK in February of 2009. My daughter was working there at a university and had been living there for several months, so she was able to take us around and
show us all the different areas. I was most impressed at first by the mountains rising up so steeply so close to the sea and, of course, the beautiful colour of the Gulf of Arabia.
Envisioning RAK
Did you associate or engage with local people in RAK because some of your paintings have local people in activity? We were staying at a house near the lagoon and the old port and every morning, I would go out very early, just after sunrise, and watch the activities of the fishermen. It seemed very tranquil and quite timeless compared with all the construction and hustle-bustle elsewhere in RAK. Later, I met a few of the local people who worked along the shore. What has been your experience as an artist in RAK? In the all-too-brief time I was there, I focused on the wadis and mountains and could have spent a lot more time painting scenes there at different times of the day. The colours change very quickly depending on the sun angles. I would love to have spent more time studying and drawing the goats – they are the great comedians in the landscape and are fascinating to watch as they range so quickly and smoothly over the rough, steep ground. I was travelling with just a sketchbook and some pencils and watercolours, so I wasn’t trying to do any big paintings – the sort of things you would hang on a wall. Maybe another time. Is there anything specific about RAK that you found missing in the other emirates? I only visited Dubai briefly so I don’t know much about the other ones. I enjoyed the sand dunes and camels but I thought
the mountains and ocean were the most spectacular. Do you view a country, its landscape and its people in contrast to other countries or see it separately as an individual entity. I can’t help but compare countries with each other. In my case, I had just been to India and found RAK very spacious
by comparison. RAK’s rocky mountain landscape reminded me very much of parts of southern Spain and also of Crete. RAK is an interesting combination of the old and the very new and I might have done more artwork of the old parts of town with the silhouettes of modern buildings in the background if I’d had more time.
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Tourism
Bliss is This!
Adrenalin sports, culture trails, eco-tourism ventures, RAK has it all in abundance Camel Racing Festival
The Ras Al Khaimah Annual Festival of Camel Racing is held at the Al Suwan camel race track. Two golden cups have been allotted for the competition the first from His Highness Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah allotted for camels of (Yatha’a) age and the second cup allotted for the camels of Lagaya age. Round off the visit with a look at the stalls selling sticks, muzzles, rugs, harnesses and other paraphernalia. The races usually start from midSeptember to end of April and last for about six days.
Relay Run Camel Racing
Bird Watching
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RAK offers a great diversity of birdlife since it plies in the migratory path between Asia and Africa. During spring and autumn, thousands of birds pass through RAK. The emirate hence has a wealth of birdlife this season and offers an exciting opportunity to see many birds that are not usually seen in Europe or other parts of the Middle East. The numerous lagoons and wetland areas in Ras Al Khaimah offer very interesting viewing points. Some of these species include Black-Crowned Finch Lark, Hoopoe, Crab Plover and the Greater Flamingo. Other prime bird watching areas are the mangroves along the creek and the mangrove wetlands and mudflats north of Al Rams, Al Jazirah Khor, Dhayah, Hamraniyah, Digdaga and Wadi Bih.
Held every year since 1993, the Wadi Bih Run is the oldest regular expatriate sporting event in the UAE. It crosses the Hajjar mountains from RAK to Dibba, climbing over 1,000 mts and covering a distance of 70km. The run is for teams of five runners, with each runner completing about 15km to give a total distance of about 72km. Each team of five must include one female or a veteran male 50+. Hardy individuals can run the entire distance alone. The 18th Wadi Bih Run is now scheduled for Friday, 12 February.
Bird watching
Equine Trails
Horse Power
People keen on horse riding and related activities can enjoy themselves at the Al Halifi Equestrian Club, open between 6am -11am & 3pm -8pm each day, except Fridays. You can also try out the Al Awadi stables at the Al Ghayl area.
Water sports in RAK waters
Water Sports
An eagle’s view of the emirate
While private tour operators offer several opportunities at scuba diving, water skiing as well as sailing is available in RAK. The RAK Water Skiing Club is located in a lagoon behind the RAK Hotel & Resort and offers instruction for all levels, including slalom and jumping, while the RAK Sailing Association in Al Maarid has a private beach set within a harbour with boats and windsurfers for use by members and guests.
Aviation
Geared for micro-lite, ultra-light and paragliding, the Al Jazeera Aviation Club is located at the Saqr field aerodrome, close to the coast and is an official member of Emirates Aviation Association, equipped with modern facilities and a spacious hanger. The club is accredited by the Civil Aviation General Assembly in the UAE and it is a number of USA Aviation Assemblies. Camping in the mountains
Camping
Though there are no official camp sites in RAK, the Hajjar mountains and its numerous wadis offer great arenas for camping, mountain biking, hiking and trekking.
RAK Shooting Club
Located in Al Dehaisah area, at 20 minutes driving distance from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, the RAK Shooting Club has over 1,500 members of different nationalities frequenting its modern and highly sophisticated world class ranges. The club offers an impressive array of weapons from the conventional to a collection of M-16 Assault Rifles. A branch has been RAK shooting club established in Shouka too.
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Envisioning RAK Dome at Jazeerat Al Hamra
Hot water springs
The Khat Village at RAK is well known for its warm mineral water (40-45 degrees) known to cure illnesses such as rheumatism and muscle stiffness. Now, the place has its own Khatt Springs Hotel and Spa for guests willing to enjoy the hot water springs.
National Museum RAK National Museum RAK
Old mosque in RAK
Open all year round, the National Museum RAK is a slice of local culture. Closed on Tuesdays and public holidays, its timings vary. From September to May between 9am-5pm and from June to August, from 8am to 12pm and 4pm to 7pm. During Ramadan, it is open from 9am to 1pm and closed on Fridays.
Al Jazeera Al Hamra village Dhayah Fort in the distance
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This abandoned village, situated in the Al Hamra area, reflects the architecture of the region in the 1950s. Various myths surround the place, but it is an interesting area to romp past if you are not particularly concerned about orderliness.
Dhayah Fort
A significant fort that has a colonial history as a backdrop, the Al Dhayah Fort at RAK situated on a hilltop witnessed the last battle between the local and British troops in 1819. When you drive towards the cement factories near Saqr Port, you are sure to see the fort by the right side of the road.
Kuwaiti Souq
The souq takes its name from the Kuwait Hospital and has more than 50 shops. Open from 8am to 11pm, it has different kinds of shops selling clothes, perfumes, jewellery and roastery items. It also has sewing shops and salons as well as traditional goods such as clothes, herbs and crockery.
Bin Majid Museum
Private Museums
Library at the Zayed Heritage Village Fishing boats
Do visit the Zayed Heritage Village, located in the Gilailah area and the Bin Majid Centre for Traditional Crafts, on the way to the New Hilton – both are private museums that offer a good glimpse of RAK by the mountains and RAK by the sea.
Picturesque RAK
You can drive around RAK and treat yourself to natural sights - farm animals like cows and goats in the villages grazing near the mountains and villages near the mountains, camels in the wild, date farms, agricultural farms, fishing boats, traditional dhow building areas, old mosques etc.
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Media
Media City with a difference Not merely a media and film city, the RAK Media City encompasses the Hindi film industry and the Pakistani film industry
RAK
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Media City, that belongs to the Government of Ras Al Khaimah, is the only media free zone in the world backed by diversified media and film professionals who are known for having colossal expertise of international standards. The CEO of RAK Media City, Junaid Shaikh ensures that the place supports its investors with a prestigious panel of Board of Directors which consists of highly Junaid Shaikh, CEO of RAK Media City prominent names of Bollywood (the Hindi film industry) and Lollywood (the along with the Film Producer’s Association Pakistani film industry). Their names include and Federation of Pakistan, all of whom stalwarts like Manmohan Shetty, Ramesh work in full association with the National Sippy, Boney Kapoor, Qavi Khan and Javed Media Council – Federal Authority, UAE. Sheikh. It is intended to provide the investors RAK Media City ascertains the support with excellent infrastructure of Media & of the Film Federation of India, and National Film, IP based technology with downFilm Development Corporation of India, to-earth costs, Uplink Teleport for
Broadcasting, state-of-the art studios and picturesque locations for shootings. Moreover, RAK Media City shall facilitate and support internet streaming. The RAK Media City authority shall also be a focal point for the distribution of films from India and Pakistan in the Middle East and to the international markets.
Health
Sheikh Khalifa Specialised Hospital for RAK
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he new hospital is coming up near the Banyan Tree resort in Ras Al Khaimah and can be approached easily from Exit 119 from the Emirates Road. At the construction stage currently, it is built to cater to the rural and urban population living around the area. The hospital is being constructed upon the instructions of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi to meet the medical needs of people of the Northern Emirates .The 248- bed Sheikh Khalifa Specialist Hospital being built with an investment of Dh600 million, is designed to the highest tertiary care standards and expected to be the most advanced medical facility in the emirate. It is scheduled to open in 2011. The six-storey, 65,000 sq m hospital, would have specialty sections for oncology, cardiology, a trauma centre, and an emergency department. Dr Hanif Hassan, UAE’s health minister visited the hospital recently and was briefed on its construction. He was accompanied by Dr Ali Ahmed bin Shakar, Director-General at the ministry, Nasser Khalifa Al Budur, Director of Health Minister’s Office, and Abdullah Al Shaheen, Director of RAK Medical Zone.
Ward Revamp at Saqr Hospital
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he Premature Infants Department at Saqr Hospital was inaugurated by Dr Hanif Hassan, Minister of Health. The department was undergoing extensive maintenance and renovation for the past few months following a fire that had destroyed many parts. The department was eventually shut off and infants were referred to other hospitals and medical centres in the emirate. The Ministry of Health has provided the Ras Al Khaimah Medical District with all the necessary equipment and machinery to replace those that were burnt in the fire. The number of incubators has been increased to 17. According to Dr Hassan, the department is now operational again and has started receiving premature infants. It is well-equipped and well-prepared to handle all kinds of cases to the highest possible standards. The
Premature Infants Department has been divided into four main sections with the capability to expand it according to the hospital’s needs. Dr Hassan said the eight new rooms which had been sealed off due to the shortage of nursing staff were now open and being used. The minister of health pledged to provide the department and the hospital with the necessary nursing staff. He said the Ministry of Health is currently studying the issue of enhancing the infrastructure of all medical facilities which belong to the ministry, as a part of its strategy of renovation. He said the instructions the ministry received from the UAE leadership stated that medical services should be made available for people everywhere in the country.
First Cath Lab in the Northern Emirates
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Omran Hospital nearing completion
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ork on the Abdullah Rashid Omran Hospital, coming up in the Hamrania area, is nearing completion. It will have about 60- beds and an investment of Dh100 million. A Cath Lab is an examination room with diagnostic imaging equipment used to support the catheterisation procedure. This procedure involves a catheter (thin tube) being inserted into a large artery. This allows for fluid drainage, fluid injection and various surgical instruments and devices to be inserted through the body via the catheter. The Cath Lab at RAK Hospital will employ state-of-the-art facilities and equipment and will be staffed by a multi-disciplinary team including a physician, cardiac physiologist, nurse and radiographer. RAK Hospital is the only hospital in the world that has been awarded the accreditation from both Joint Commission International (JCI) and by the Swiss Leading Hospital (SLH Accreditation) which is based on European Foundation for Quality Management.
AK Hospital launched the first Catheterisation Laboratory (Cath Lab) of the northern emirates. The Cath Lab was officially inaugurated by H H Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. The launch was in conjunction with the second anniversary celebrations of RAK Hospital. Commenting on the launch of the cath lab, Mr. Raza Siddiqui, Executive Director, ETA Star Healthcare, said, “We are pleased that RAK Hospital now has the full capabilities and technology to offer cardiovascular treatments that require the catheterisation procedure to the residents of Ras Al Khaimah and all the northern emirates. The RAK Centre for Interventional Cardiology is the first of its kind initiative in the northern emirates. This is a groundbreaking step forward for RAK Hospital considering we have been around for two years.” “In cases of heart-related diseases, time is of utmost importance making every minute crucial. This is an exceptional breakthrough for emergency heart patients who need this medical procedure done immediately in the northern emirates. Before the opening of this lab, patients had no options available to them and as such had to travel to Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah to get the procedure done.” Dr. Rajeev Lochan has been appointed as the chief cardiologist associated with the Cath Lab at RAK Hospital, with 40 years of medical experience which include over 30 years of cardiology experience out of which 24 were in senior positions. According to Dr Lochan, :“This treatment is imperative and a crucial requirement for several cardiac conditions. As such, it was highly essential to have this available to the residents of Ras Al Khaimah. We are happy to have this opportunity to provide critical emergency solutions to heart patients, and thereby, control the growing rise of fatal incidents in the northern emirates.”
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Health
Unswerving Commitment Equipped with superior healthcare facilities, RAK Hospital is now focussing on specialised care
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Hospital is a 65-bed multispecialty private hospital founded in 2007. It is a joint venture between the RAK Government, the ETA Star group and managed by Sonnenhof Swiss Health, a leading name in healthcare and hospitality. The hospital recently celebrated its second anniversary in November 2009 and is now embarking on a new phase by focussing on specialised care. The specialised departments launched in the hospital are Obesity Management/Bariatric Surgery, Joint Replacement Program and Cardiac Catheterisation. The hospital offers the latest advances in orthopaedic care, which includes after surgery rehabilitation, pain management and surgical techniques such as minimal invasive surgery, and total knee and hip replacement surgery. The comprehensive care offered, uses the latest joint implants
and devices, surgical techniques, dedicated operating room staff, physiotherapists and pain management to help patients who are in need of treatment. The hospital is built on the foundation to provide modern healthcare facilities in a ‘premium hospitality’ environment. Recognised by the Joint Commission International Accreditation and Swiss Leading Hospitals Accreditation, RAK Hospital highly emphasises on the quality of the comprehensive medical services and patient safety. The hospital offers a wide range of services in Obstetrics, Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Surgery, Urology, Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology, Paediatrics,
Dr Jean-Marc Gauer, CEO
“The model results in low complication rates following surgery and less time spent in the hospital.The majority of patients return home three to four days after surgery”
Lead Programs Obesity Management/Bariatric Surgery Program Joint Replacement Program Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory
Orthopaedics, Intensive Care, Dermatology, Dentistry, Cosmetology and Physiotherapy. The hospital also has a 24hour accident and emergency facility.
Medical Specialties
“The hospital is built on the foundation to provide modern healthcare facilities in a ‘premium hospitality environment” Mr Raza Siddiqui, Executive Director
Obesity Management Program/Bariatric Surgery At RAK Hospital, bariatric surgery is performed as a part of the comprehensive Obesity Management Program. It is recommended for patients in whom other methods for fat reduction, like exercise or diet control, have failed to produce the desired results. Bariatric Surgery involves reducing the size of the stomach, leading to lesser food intake and gradual weight loss. Surgical treatments recommended for obesity:
So, not only does one consume lesser amount of calories, but there is also less absorption of calories. This is why gastric bypass surgery tends to produce greater weight loss than other bariatric operations. RAK Hospital is poised to become a specialised centre for Obesity Management Program, which is a comprehensive program, including diet counselling, bariatric surgery and dedicated patient follow-ups. Dr Anup Kr. Panigrahi is a distin-
Gastric Banding: This operation reduces the functional size of the stomach (with a gastric band, silastic ring or staples). This restricts the amount of food one can eat at one meal. By reduction of calorie intake, weight loss is induced.
Sleeve Gastrectomy: Sleeve gastrectomy is a procedure in which the size of the stomach is reduced by 15 per cent, by removing a large portion, following the major curve. The open edges are then attached together (often with surgical staples) to form a sleeve or tube with a banana shape.
Gastric Bypass: This type of surgery helps reduce the amount of eaten food that can be absorbed in the digestive tract.
Dr Anup Panigrahi
“With use of Bariatric Surgery as a part of the overall obesity management programme, we can improve the overall quality of life for the UAE population.”
Accident and Emergency Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit Cardiology Dental and Orthodontics Dermatology General Surgery Gastroenterology Internal Medicine Minimal Access Surgery Obstetrics and Gynaecology Ophthalmology Orthopaedics Otolarynogology Paediatrics Preventive Health and Nutrition Pain Management Clinic
Support Services Laboratory Pharmacy Radiology Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy
guished surgeon with more than 15 years of experience in performing laparoscopic surgeries. He heads the Obesity Management Program, performing the bariatric surgeries and coordinating with the hospital nutritionist to chalk out a tailor-made comprehensive weight loss programme for every patient. According to Dr Panigrahi, “The incidence of obesity is increasing in the UAE. The most dangerous issue is that of young age obesity. It is a well-known fact that obesity increases morbidity manifold, along with being a significant contributory factor in worsening the prognosis of other metabolic ailments such as diabetes and heart disorders. By developing RAK Hospital as a ‘centre of excellence’ for Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery, we shall be able to address this pertinent healthcare issue in UAE, and thereby, work towards our vision of improving the quality of life for people.”
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Joint Replacement Program
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RAK Hospital has a centre of excellence for joint replacement surgeries, providing superior orthopaedic care to the people of UAE and position itself as a premier orthopaedic facility. Orthopaedic surgeons at the hospital are richly experienced in complex procedures, such as hip and knee joint replacement. The department is fully equipped to provide a full spectrum of orthopaedic care. Our capabilities and services are broad and comprehensive and they include the finest care for fractures, joints, hands, shoulders, elbows, knees, hips, feet, ankles, ligaments, cartilage, tendons and other elective procedures associated with a high-end orthopaedic facility. Equipments: • Operation Theatre equipped with Laminar Air Flow, Image Intensifier, high quality theatre lights with uniform focal lengths • State-of-the-art Instrumentation and Intra-operative Monitoring Dr John R. Bera is a renowned joint replacement surgeon who has a rich experience of more than 15 years, having performed many such procedures at AIIMS, a world famous institute. He has specialised expertise in knee and hip joint replacement, having many similar surgeries in his career. He is heading the Joint Replacement Programme at RAK Hospital, with a dedicated focus on developing the department into a centre of excellence. According to Dr Bera, “Joint replacement is a technically complex procedure. Hip joint replacement is difficult surgery since the plane of movement at the joint is 360 degrees. Latest advances in techniques and instrumentation have made it possible to extend these complex procedures to larger patient base and provide good results by continuous patient followup.
What is Total Joint Replacement? Total Joint Replacement is a surgical process to treat joints that have been damaged by injury or arthritis. RAK Center for Total Joint Replacement specialises in treating painful joints. A total joint replacement reduces joint pain, corrects the deformity and means a return to pain-free movement. Benefits of Joint Replacement Relief from pain is the single most important reason for joint replacement surgery. It also ensures that you stop taking pain killer tablets, which ultimately harm your kidneys. It also helps you to lead a normal life away from long suffering, discomfort and depression.
Preparation for surgery
• Your surgeon at RAK Hospital will advise you a series of tests prior to the surgery, including lab testing, urine analysis, ECG, and X-rays. • Remember to inform your surgeon about all your medications. Your surgeon may stop some of your medication prior to the surgery. • You should not eat or drink anything eight hours before surgery. • Your surgeon will suggest some strengthening exercises prior to the surgery.
Post-surgery rehabilitation
Dr John Bera
“Given the infrastructure at RAK Hospital, it is imperative that the department will be able to deliver the high-end surgeries with long-term results comparable to the best healthcare facilities in the world, and thereby be able to position itself as a Centre of Excellence for Joint Replacement.”
• Rehabilitation physiotherapy is started immediately following surgery and continued for at least one year. • Your surgeon may advise joint movement precautions and any limitations you may have for range of motion. • After knee joint replacement, your surgeon may advise knee bending exercises from the third day and walking from the fourth day post-operatively. • After hip replacement, you may be advised to sit up the next day and walk on the second day post-operatively. • After hybrid hip replacement, weight bearing is forbidden up to eight weeks. In this period, you may walk with crutches or a walker.
Post-surgery appointments
Your surgeon will schedule post-operative visits to ensure that your joint is healing well. The usual time-frame is 4-6 weeks, following your joint replacement surgery. It is important to comply with the schedule given by your surgeon to ensure safe and effective recovery from total hip replacement. Risks associated with Joint Replacement Surgery: Being a major surgery, total joint replacement has some risks associated with it. These may include: • Blood clots/Infection • Injury to nerves and blood vessels • Fracture/Weakness/Dislocation • Stiffness or instability of the joint Patients with Type 1 diabetes, malnourishment, haemophilia, and those who have had previous artificial joint infections are at higher risk. Joint replacements usually last for 10-15 years. Joint revision surgery may become necessary when an artificial joint becomes painful. Several variables affect the ultimate success of joint replacement surgery. These include the strength of the patient’s bones and muscles and his or her general health and lifestyle and also commitment to a rehabilitation program.
RAK Centre for Interventional Cardiology What is a cardiac catheterisation? Cardiac catheterisation is an invasive imaging procedure that is used to: • Evaluate/confirm the presence of coronary artery disease, valve disease or aorta disease • Determine the need for surgery or angioplasty. During a cardiac catheterisation, a long, narrow tube called a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel in your groin or arm. It is guided through the blood vessel, over a very soft, thin wire, to the coronary arteries and visualised with the aid of a special x-ray machine. Contrast material is injected through the catheter and x-ray movies are created as the contrast material moves through the coronary arteries and heart’s chambers, valves and major vessels. This part of the procedure is called a coronary angiogram and ventriculogram (or coronary angiography). Coronary artery disease is the narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries. In an interventional procedure, the coronary artery is opened, increasing blood flow to the heart muscle. The digital photographs of the contrast material are used to identify the site of the narrowing or blockage in the coronary artery. What is an interventional procedure? An interventional procedure (also called angioplasty) is a non-surgical treatment used to open narrowed coronary arteries to improve blood flow to the heart. It can be performed during a diagnostic cardiac catheterisation when a blockage is identified, or may be scheduled after the presence of coronary artery disease has been confirmed. Interventional procedures might include balloon angioplasty, stent placement, rotablation or cutting balloon. Where is the catheterisation performed and who performs it? Cardiac catheterisations are performed by
an interventional cardiologist in the Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory (also called as Cath Lab). The cardiac catheterisation procedure is a routine procedure, which nevertheless makes an in-hospital stay necessary. What are the possible risks? The benefits of cardiac catheterisation procedure far outweigh the minimal risks associated with it. The risks associated with it may include allergic reaction to the contrast material, irregular heart rhythm and chest pain during the process. Importance of a Heart-Healthy Lifestyle Your doctor will help you achieve your goals, but it is up to you to be committed to leading a heart-healthy lifestyle. It is important to take your medications as prescribed, make dietary changes, quit smoking, Dr Rajeev Lochan exercise regularly, keep your follow-up appointments and consult your physician “A timely intervention is essential regularly. Following this schedule ensures of heart disease as an ongoing in preventing major complications prevention process even after treatment and also in or fatalities” healthy individuals.
The first-ever interventional procedure to be performed at the recently opened RAK Center for Interventional Cardiolog was an angioplasty carried out on a 38-year-old Bangladeshi national, Sultan Ahmed by the expert cardiac team at RAK Hospital headed by Dr. Rajeev Lochan, Chief Cardiologist and Dr. Margit Oremek, FMCS, Medical Director. A resident of Ras Al Khaimah, Ahmed was suffering from a heart condition that required immediate intervention and had a right coronary angiography with stent placement procedure carried out at RAK Hospital. Discharged from the hospital feeling healthy on Thursday, he is on his path to full recovery. “Even though this was the first angioplasty carried out at RAK Hospital, I was completely at ease in the hands of the practiced doctors and team here. As time was critical in my case, my family and I am very thankful that a hospital close to us was equipped to handle my case. The RAK Hospital team has provided me with great care. I was up and walking around the next day,” he says. Commenting on the breakthrough surgery, Dr. Rajeev Lochan said, “We are very proud to have successfully performed this in Ras Al Khaimah. As we all know, in matters of the heart, even minutes matter. . By making this procedure available to the residents of the Northern Emirates, people no longer have to travel to Sharjah or Dubai for treatment. As such, we save those crucial minutes that may have an effect on the deteriorating condition of the patients.”
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Baby Boom RAK Hospital cradles its one-thousandth baby R
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AK Hospital recently celebrated a new milestone since its launch in 2007 with the announcement of the birth of the one-thousandth baby at the hospital. The bundle of joy was welcomed by her beaming mother, Diala Assaf, father Eyad Assaf, and the proud team at RAK Hospital. The ecstatic father, Eyad Assaf was all praise for the hospital. “It was a pleasant surprise that Christel is the 1,000th baby born at RAK Hospital. Our experience at the hospital was wonderful and very comfortable. The team here made it very special for us.” The baby, Christel Assaf, was born through natural birth at 1.30am on December 13, 2009, weighing a healthy 2.9kg. Christel is the second child of her Syrian mother and Swiss father. The first baby at RAK Hospital was an Emirati boy who was born on September 20, 2007, through normal delivery. Commenting on the milestone, Dr. Arpan David, COO, RAK Hospital, stated: “The hospital is delighted to receive its one-thousandth baby. Within the two years since the inception of this hospital, we have seen many milestones, with this being the latest one. The state-ofthe-art maternity department of the hospital is fully equipped to deal with all pregnancies, including high-risk cases. The gynaecology department boasts of an
Parents with the RAK team – Dr Indira, Dr Rama, Dr Avril
excellent team of doctors and support staff. During the past two years, the department has handled many complicated pregnancy cases.” The obstetrics and gynaecology department at RAK Hospital runs programmes, in both gynaecology
and obstetrics, for prevention and early detection of disorders. The department also offers antenatal care, painless labour, laparoscopic and hysteroscopy surgeries, coupled with conventional gynaecology. The department is fully equipped to deal with high-risk pregnancies.
Preventive Health and Nutrition Preventive Health & Nutrition covers all aspects of wellness, including genetic variation, diet and nutritional awareness, physical fitness, stress management and gaining a sense of responsibility for lifestyle choice and their effects on one’s health. The department offers various health check packages catering to different age groups and therapeutic conditions. These include RAK Basic Health Check, RAK Executive Health Check, RAK Heart Check, RAK Well Woman Check and RAK Whole Body Check for Women, RAK Whole Body Check for Men, RAK Adult Diabetic Check, RAK Paediatric Diabetic Check, and RAK Child Check.