Rakeen, one of the region's most dynamic property developers and master planners, unveiled its pioneering $400 million RAK Convention & Exhibition Centre on the opening day of Arabian Travel Market 2008 (ATM) on Tuesday.

The ground-breaking mixed-use project will combine an iconic look with a superior high-tech finish, using technologically advanced ceramics that have been developed by RAK Ceramics, confirming the status of Ras Al Khaimah as the global capital of ceramics design, development and production, said a top company official.

Dr Imad Haffar, Rakeen chief operating officer said, “We are thrilled to be revealing this cutting-edge and environmentally-friendly project at ATM. Our model provides an excellent visual insight into what will be a landmark for the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, designed by renowned architects Snohetta International."

"The RAK Convention & Exhibition Centre will be the finest of its kind in the region, not just a place of function, but also an outstanding architectural masterpiece, designed meticulously, allowing for future expansion," he noted.

“We are very proud to confirm that we are, as with our other projects, building around nature and not on top of it. The entire structure of the RAK Convention & Exhibition Centre will be set directly onto the natural land contours, without any disturbance to the surroundings. We are keen to retain as much of the original area as possible, thus maintaining the majestic beauty of the sand dunes,” Haffar explained.

The RAK convention & exhibition Centre will comprise 50,000 sq m of rentable area, five exhibition halls, each with between four and six hundred seating capacity - Hall 1 can be transformed into a 4,000 seat congress hall, three parking levels beneath.
Beside it will have three hotels, each with 750 keys and with a green park located in between The Tower (5 star) – 62 levels, The Oasis (4 star) – 12 levels, The Expo (3 star) – 12 levels, and a shopping mall consisting of 3 floors, 7 cinema screens a food court, restaurants and cafes.

The Ras Al Khaimah stand also features a number of other companies, including RAK Airways and Hilton Ras Al Khaimah; the appearance of these companies together illustrates the continuing growth that the emirate is experiencing.-TradeArabia News Service