Ras Al-Khaimah is enacting laws to attract foreign investors and taking many other steps to ensure it becomes the second Dubai of UAE, says Crown Prince of Ras Al-Khaimah - one of the seven states of United Arab Emirates.
| It's the one nobody's ever heard of... |
Sheikh Saud Saqer Al-Qasimi was talking to the Arab Times earlier this week on the steps being taken by his state. Al-Qasimi said Ras Al-Khaimah has tremendous potential for investment, adding "we have many investment opportunities in the industrial and tourism sectors." Feasibility studies are being conducted on several projects - including infrastructure projects - along with our efforts to streamline our administration to keep pace with the current development in the region, he added. Acknowledging Ras Al-Khaimah faces a daunting task to come on par with other countries in the region, Al-Qasimi said, "we are preparing plans for the construction of new ports, airports and other facilities. We are also working on improving our laws, especially those which deal with commerce, in a bid to attract foreign investors."
| Sounds like they were all sitting around at the diwan one day and somebody suggested, "Hey, guys! Let's get off our duffs and become a modern state!" Rather than issuing a fatwah and having him killed, everybody else said "Okay." |
He praised Dubai for making a mark as an international tourist and investment destination and attributed it to the country's fast decision-making process. Stressing his country will follow in the footsteps of Dubai, Al-Qasimi said, "we are aware of the importance of technology and will emulate the standards set by other developed countries." He stressed Ras Al-Khaimah was not in any way inferior to other countries, adding "we will reach the same level of progress by passing flexible laws to attract foreign investors and encourage our people to work hard." Indicating human resources in Ras Al-Khaimah are getting better with each year, he said, "we are keen to achieve our goals and those of UAE. We will not hesitate to seek outside help in achieving our objectives."
| Not being an oil powerhouse, there's some incentive for the citizenry to actually work, as in manual labor. I believe the principle industries are farming and fishing. But since I have no idea how many Koranic schools dot the landscape, I have no idea what their chances for success are. I'm sure that if they do get their economy off the ground there'll be lots of Koranic scholars flocking in to take over. |
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