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It is amazing the difference a few years can make. Over the course of 2012, Côte d’Ivoire has seen a significant improvement in both its current performance and its outlook for short-, medium- and long-term growth. While there remains plenty to be done, the improvement marks something of a return to form for the world’s largest cocoa producer.

The government has prepared a 10-year development strategy to help guide sector growth, and a central part of this strategy is leveraging the private sector. To this end, the government is actively partnering with private operators to help promote tourism and is developing a reputation for managing public-private partnerships in the sector. Ras Al Khaimah continues to raise its profile as a tourist destination, having doubled its number of visitors in the past two years, and the focus is now on niche markets such as ecotourism, cruises and health. Major new hotel projects such as Al Marjan Island will add much-needed capacity, while improved transit links to nearby emirates should also help to support growth.

Like the other emirates in the UAE, Ras Al Khaimah’s development strategy is centred on transitioning to a knowledge-based economy. The government thus places a strong emphasis on both human and social development, with a particular focus on improving education. In 2010 the Education 2020 plan was expanded by the Ministry of Education to include 10 strategic objectives and 50 initiatives to be implemented over the decade, including a focus on improving basic skills in communications, English and maths. Vocational training is another priority area, with an emphasis on skill-specific training driven by recent economic diversification, especially in the tourism sector. The government recognises that to maintain the policy of Emiratisation, new entrants to the workforce must be sufficiently skilled to take up jobs available to them, and the education strategy focuses on achieving this.

Ras Al Khaimah has made significant progress over the last five years in building the infrastructure and institutions required to anchor a robust health care sector. Both population growth and changes in lifestyle have led to an increase in the demand for and cost of health care services in the emirate. Public facilities are meeting the majority of this rising need, although private service providers are also looking to enter the market, leading to improved choice for patients. The market for diabetic care looks set to continue to grow, meaning there should be opportunities for a full range of services, offering considerable opportunity for private investors.

With strong industrial growth and demand for electricity on the rise, Ras Al Khaimah’s energy needs are expanding. This is being met by broadening the number of players in the sector. Aside from the Federal Electricity and Water Authority, several international firms have become major players in the emirate’s energy sector. RAK is working to ensure greater energy independence by boosting access to alternative sources for generating electricity as well as desalinating water. This work is covering areas such as clean-coal technology and other alternative sources of energy. As a result, RAK is becoming a centre for renewables research and development and projects that are in progress related to this could position the emirate as a leader in this field. This chapter includes an interview with Anil Sardana, Managing Director, Tata Power.

Taking advantage of the emirate’s strategic location, several projects aimed at improving transport offerings are now under way. Etihad Rail will link the area to Oman, as well as support several key energy and infrastructure projects. RAK International Airport continues to drive growth in the sector, with revenues rising by 31%in early 2013. There are also plans to construct a 32-km ring road that will allow trucks and other commercial traffic to circumvent urban areas, facilitating industrial trade. This chapter contains an interview with Captain Colin Crookshank, General Manager, RAK Ports Group.