Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ) has won the best emerging free zone award for the third consecutive year at the third annual Middle East Logistics Awards (Mela).

Oussama El Omari, chief executive officer of RAK FTZ received the award at an event held at The Monarch Hotel, Dubai on June 30.

“It is an honour to receive the Mela Best Emerging Free Zone Award for the third time,” El Omari said.

“This is a great achievement which reflects our continuous labour to make RAK Free Trade Zone one of the most competitive and innovative free zones in the world. This honour would not have been possible without the strong support and leadership of Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qassimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, and our chairman, Sheikh Faisal Bin Saqr Al Qassimi,” he added.

Winners of the Mela awards were determined through votes of clients, industry peers, and members of the Middle East logistics community.

Out of the seven nominees, RAK FTZ garnered the most number of votes in the ‘Best Emerging Free Zone’ category after the rigorous auditing of leading audit firm Horwath MAK.

The Middle East Logistics Awards aim to create value by encouraging, recognising and rewarding achievers, performers and contributors within the logistics profession in 24 distinguished award categories.

Despite the economic crisis, RAK FTZ is enjoying a rise in revenues, with a reported 16 per cent increase from the first quarter of 2009 as compared to the same period of 2008. Registered companies have also seen an increase of four per cent from the last year. This shows that RAK FTZ has become a familiar and trusted free zone around the world, said a statement.

RAK FTZ offers four free zone park concepts for different businesses and investments: business park, industrial park, technology park, and the Al Ghail park. These parks offer visa services, office facilities, equipped warehouses and land in easily accessible locations. – TradeArabia News Service