Call to enhance trade ties between UAE and Canada

The delegation was led by David Hutton, Canadian Ambassador to the UAE and Dave Barette, Chairman of the Canadian Business Council.

Highlighting various business opportunities in Ras AlKhaimah Shaikh Saud said RAK is at the crossroads of a developmental boom which offers tremendous opportunities to foreign entrepreneurs in various sectors.

He called for increased partnership between the private and the public sectors, to create a sustainable economic model for the emirate in the coming years as their increased partnership is vital for creating a business-friendly environment, which could accomplish developmental goals.

He assured the business delegation that the Government of RAK was committed to removing all hurdles in the administrative, legal and other levels, to promote new investments and facilitate businesses in the emirate.

Shaikh Saud said that the Government of Ras Al Khaimah has rolled out numerous projects, which were models of enduring public-private partnership.

He added: “We are working on a new private hospital which will be one of the biggest public hospital in the emirate and a first step to the establishment of a health city."

Similarly, a major American University is set to open its campus in Ras Al Khaimah next year in collaboration with the public sector.

He highlighted the initiatives that had contributed to the tremendous success of the recent IPO of RAK Properties and plans to develop the emirate's infrastructure and logistics sectors by upgrading the airport and the seaports.

Shaikh Saud called for increased bi-lateral cooperation and enhancement of trade relations between Canada and UAE.

The meeting was also attended by several dignitaries and officials from the Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi.