Ras Al Khaimah: A Thriving Global Business Destination, Showcases Saud bin Saqr's Vision

Ras Al Khaimah's ruler met with a high-level Chinese delegation from Dongguan city to strengthen economic and technological ties between the emirate and China's manufacturing powerhouse. The meeting resulted in two cooperation agreements covering tourism, innovation, and entrepreneurship - part of a broader strategic partnership signed just months ago.

Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ras Al Khaimah's ruler, received the official delegation led by Wei Hao, secretary of the Communist Party Committee in Dongguan, at his palace in Saqr bin Mohammed City. The visit builds on a strategic cooperation agreement signed between the two sides in November 2024, which established partnerships across economics, trade, culture, and technology.

The timing matters. Dongguan sits in China's Guangdong province, one of the country's most economically dynamic regions and a global manufacturing hub. For Ras Al Khaimah, this partnership offers access to Chinese expertise in advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and green technologies - sectors the emirate wants to develop as it diversifies its economy.

During the meeting, both sides explored expanding cooperation in industry, technology, and tourism. Sheikh Saud emphasized that Ras Al Khaimah is working to become a global business destination by creating a flexible economic environment and supporting innovation initiatives. He said partnerships with major Chinese cities help establish the emirate as a knowledge-based economy built on quality partnerships.

The delegation witnessed the signing of two memorandums of understanding. The first connects Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority with Dongguan People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. This agreement focuses on boosting tourism, cultural, and commercial cooperation while developing exchange programs and joint events.

The second memorandum links Ras Al Khaimah's Innovation City Authority with Dongguan's Entrepreneurs Union. This deal aims to strengthen economic and investment cooperation between the two regions.

For investors and businesses, this partnership signals Ras Al Khaimah's serious push into high-tech sectors. Dongguan has transformed from a low-cost manufacturing center into a technology and innovation hub over the past decade. The city's experience in this transition could prove valuable for Ras Al Khaimah's own economic diversification efforts.

The agreements were signed by Philippa Harrison, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, and Ann Chi, director of Dongguan's Foreign Affairs Office. Paul Doualiby, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Innovation City Authority, signed the second agreement with Chen Mankxin, vice president of Dongguan Entrepreneurs Union and president of Guangdong Hansen Biopharmaceuticals Limited.

This cooperation fits into the UAE's broader strategy of strengthening economic ties with China, its largest non-oil trading partner. But it also shows how individual emirates are pursuing their own relationships with specific Chinese cities and provinces to attract investment and expertise in targeted sectors.