Canadian trade delegation visits Ras Al Khaimah Ruler

Ras Al Khaimah - 2 February, 2017: A high-level trade delegation from the Canadian province of Ontario was received yesterday afternoon at Al Dhait Palace by His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and Member of the Supreme Council. Discussions focussed on strengthening commercial ties between Ras Al Khaimah and Ontario in line with the province’s ‘Going Global’ trade strategy and on developments in e-government, an area in which Ras Al Khaimah has made considerable advances in recent years.

The ten strong delegation was headed by HE Deb Matthews, Deputy Premier of Ontario, who is also Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development, Minister Responsible for Digital Government and Chair of the Cabinet, and HE Michael Chan, Minister of International Trade. The delegation was accompanied by HE Mr Masud Husain, Ambassador of Canada to the UAE, and HE Emmanuel Kamarianakis, Consul General of Canada to Dubai and the Northern Emirates.

Earlier in the day Matthews and the delegation met with HH Sheikh Ahmad bin Saqr Al Qasimi, chairman of RAK FTZ, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Humaid Al Qasimi, Managing Director of RAK FTZ, and Ramy Jallad, RAK FTZ’s CEO. Topics included the continuing growth of Ras Al Khaimah’s free trade zones and its manufacturing sector, in the context of Standard & Poor’s very recent affirmation of Ras Al Khaimah’s A/A-1 rating and its prediction of GDP growth for the Emirate increasing to nearly 3%.

“It is our pleasure to welcome this high-level Canadian delegation to the beautiful emirate of Ras Al Khaimah and present the vast investment advantages that it uniquely offers to multinational investors,” said HH Sheikh Ahmed. “We are hoping that this visit will further foster strong and mutually beneficial relations between Canada and Ras Al Khaimah.”