A UAE delegation to Italy is seeking to create new investment relationships between the two countries and share the Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ) benefits with Italian investors.

The delegation, led by Peter J Fort, chief executive officer of RAK FTZ, is taking part part in meetings and presentations to companies, industry associations, local chambers of commerce and select media interviews, until January 13.

The three-day programme seeks to build on the free zone’s base of 116 Italian companies that are already operating in RAK FTZ.

“With one of the most open and dynamic economies in the world, the UAE offers an attractive proposition for Italian businesses and entrepreneurs to gain traction in the Middle East region, where exports from Italy have grown at a faster pace than they have to other regions in recent years,” Fort said.

“Investors from Italy also benefit from the UAE’s political stability, sound economic policies, business-friendly regulatory environment and zero-tax regime, which make the UAE a leading global destination for foreign direct investment,” he said.

“RAK FTZ provides Italian entrepreneurs with a safe and secure environment to establish and grow their business operations of all sizes, ranging from SMEs to subsidiaries of leading global companies,” Fort said.

“It provides a lower cost and therefore greater return on investment than other free zones in the region, while providing 100 per cent foreign ownership and zero taxation in world-class and fully customisable facilities. RAK FTZ makes it easy to establish and grow a business in the UAE,” he said.

“We offer investors fast-track licensing and registration, investor, employee and dependant visa issuance, freedom to source labour and materials from around the world, and ongoing business support services. RAK FTZ’s facilities include offices, warehouses and land for lease across four specialised parks that cater specifically to each individual investor’s business needs.”

“We are seeing growing interest from Italian companies at RAK FTZ looking to expand via our cost-effective gateway to global markets, and we look forward to helping them extend their reach across the world,” said Fort.

“By setting up marketing and sales offices, regional headquarters and logistics hubs at RAK FTZ, Italian companies can grow by exporting their products and services to the Middle East, Africa and South Asia with top-notch facilities, award-winning services and competitive costs that allow for higher profits,” he added. - TradeArabia News Service