Industry

Although Egypt’s petrochemicals production capacity is small by regional standards, the country is one of the larger African players in the industry. Furthermore, capacity – which leverages the country’s large gas reserves – has grown rapidly over the past decade and is set to expand even more quickly in coming years. Ethylene capacity alone should...

Founded by Alexander the Great and famous for its classical history, Alexandria – now Egypt’s second-largest town and the biggest city on the Mediterranean – is also arguably the country’s industrial heart, with around 40% of national industrial activity taking place in and around it.

In 2013 Ras Al Khaimah finds itself at a crossroads similar to many other manufacturing-based economies: taking stock of initial successes and contemplating how to add more complex products to the mix. Manufacturing accounts for more than a quarter of RAK’s GDP, and while there is no desire to shift away from the activity, government authorities...

Although Ras Al Khaimah’s economy is increasingly diversified, its roots lie in extracting natural resources for use as construction materials. This remains a core strength of the emirate’s economy and an important driver of future growth, as RAK’s producers will continue to quarry and export products like aggregate, cement and ceramic tiles....

The past few years have seen a major expansion of retail options in Ras Al Khaimah, with new malls, new neighbourhoods and numerous new strategies emerging. The year 2013 was shaping up as a period of consolidation, as major retail developers refine their offerings and fill their space.

Industrial activity has been crucial to Ras Al Khaimah’s economic growth, driven by the government’s policy of attracting firms and investment into the sector based on the natural resources RAK has to offer them. The emirate is now looking to increase growth capacity by removing electricity supply constraints, addressing logistics concerns and...