The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council and the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce (LA Area Chamber) will convene senior American and Emirati leaders for a luncheon featuring an in-depth commercial panel led by Mr. Peter J. Fort, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority (RAK FTZ), in Los Angeles, California. Following keynote remarks by His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Saqer Mohamed Al Qasemi, Chairman of RAK FTZ, Mr. Fort will deliver a presentation and lead the panel discussion highlighting the opportunities and benefits available to U.S. and Los Angeles-based companies in setting up a business enterprise in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. HH Al Qasemi and Mr. Fort will be joined at the event by key American and Emirati stakeholders, including honored guest U.A.E. Consul General in Los Angeles, California His Excellency Abdulla Alsaboosi and Mayor of Los Angeles, California the Honorable Eric Garcetti (invited). For your reference, the honored speakers’ biographies as well as information about RAK FTZ, the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, and the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, can be found below.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Saqer Mohamed Al Qasemi
Chairman
Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority
His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Saqer Mohamed Al Qasemi, a member of the ruling family of the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), leads the corporate activities of the Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority (RAK FTZ) as the Chairman of the organisation. He oversees the development of investments at the RAK FTZ, ensuring that they have a positive impact on the emirate’s economy.
Under HH Sheikh Ahmad’s guidance, the free zone has embarked on a new success strategy. It has adopted a growth plan that focusses on further diversification of its products and services portfolio, ensuring that steady growth rates are maintained. He also ensures that clients are satisfied by meeting their requirements with easy, tax-free business set-up services and products. HH Sheikh Ahmad seeks to promote the spirit of entrepreneurship and invite investment opportunities from foreign countries to the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.
HH Sheikh Ahmad envisions a vibrant and successful future for Ras Al Khaimah. Actively contributing to the economic and social growth of the emirate, he also directs the goals of the Customs Department as its Chairman, ensuring that its services support the economy and security of the community.
Additionally, he is the Chairman of RAK Investment Authority (RAKIA), the RAK National Insurance Co and Falcon Technologies. Following his appointment as Chairman of RAK Hospitality Holding, HH Sheikh Ahmad has been overseeing the consolidation of hotel and hospitality assets and directing plans for further development of RAK’s Tourism sector.
As Chairman of the Emirates Cultural Sports Club, HH Sheikh Ahmad has a keen interest in pursuing a variety of sporting activities, including football and target shooting. Under his leadership, the Emirates Cultural Sports Club won the 2009–10 UAE President’s Cup, which was the 34th season of the UAE President’s Cup, the premier knockout tournament for association football clubs in the United Arab Emirates.
The cup winner was guaranteed a place in the 2011 AFC Champions League at that time. With HH Sheikh Ahmad’s constant encouragement of young and talented football players, the Emirates Cultural Sports Club won the UAE Super Cup in 2010. The team also won UAE Division 1 Group A in 2012-2013, which is the second tier of football league competition in the United Arab Emirates.
HH Sheikh Ahmad is committed to helping people in need. He is heavily involved in charity-related activities, and is Chairman of the Saqr Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi Charity Foundation. He helps orphans with their educational and living expenses, and contributes financially to the lives of widows and divorcees. Additionally, he contributes to other charitable associations and public-benefit organisations, to support the revival as well as the economic and social development of the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.
HH Sheikh Ahmad was born in Ras Al Khaimah on 21 October 1977, and he is married with three children. He is the eighth son of the late Sheikh Saqr Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the former ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.
He enjoys travelling to new destinations and social networking activities.
An advocate of free enterprise and international relations, HH Sheikh Ahmad holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Public Relations from Boston, in the United States.
Mr. Peter J. Fort
Chief Executive Officer
Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority (RAK FTZ)
Senior Economic Advisor
Government of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK)
Peter J Fort is the Senior Economic Advisor to the Government of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Chief Executive Officer of the Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority (RAK FTZ). In his dual role, Mr Fort is responsible for the ongoing growth of the free zone, as well as channelling investments into the emirate, reinforcing RAK’s reputation on the regional business and investment landscape.
Mr Fort worked with Morgan Stanley for 10 years as Head of Mergers, Acquisitions (M&A) and Restructuring for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Relocating from New York to Dubai in 2006, Mr Fort played an instrumental role in building Morgan Stanley’s presence in the Middle East, leading over 50 international, regional and domestic M&A and restructuring transactions across a variety of sectors including energy, basic materials, industrial, transportation, aerospace, telecommunications, media, technology, financial institutions, infrastructure, utilities and real estate.
Prior to his investment banking career, Mr Fort was a strategy consultant, working on projects in the United States, Latin America and Asia.
Mr Fort graduated cum laude from Harvard University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in international political economics, and also pursued studies at National University of Singapore, Thammasat University, Thailand and Tokyo International University, Japan. He subsequently earned his Master of Business Administration degree, with a focus on Finance, from the University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business, where he graduated first in his class.
Mr Fort is a White House Presidential Scholar and a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, an international honour society.
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About the Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ):
Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ) is a gateway to emerging markets with over 8,000 registered companies from more than 100 countries. One of the fastest-growing free trade zones in the UAE, the RAK FTZ is 100% tax-free, allows 100% foreign ownership, and provides award-winning service to help its clients set up and succeed in business.
The costs of living and doing business in Ras Al Khaimah are markedly lower than in other emirates, and far below those of traditional business centres such as London, New York, Hong Kong and Mumbai, allowing for a greater return on investments.
Named one of the top seven free zones in the Middle East, the RAK FTZ has four specialised zones that will suit every investor according to their specific requirements. They include a Business Park for office clients, an Industrial Park for heavy manufacturing, a Technology Park for trading and light manufacturing, and an Academic Zone for educational institutions.
In addition to providing commercial, general trading, consultancy and industrial licences, registering legal entities, and offering competitive and tailored offices, warehouses and land, the RAK FTZ also provides value-added services such as advertising, procurement, event management, recruitment and training assistance for its clients.
Headquartered in Ras Al Khaimah, the RAK FTZ has a business centre in Ras Al Khaimah, as well as promotion centres in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The free zone is also active in three continents, with liaison offices in Turkey, India and Germany, giving it international reach and scope.
Our capabilities distinctively position us as the best provider of competitive and customised free-zone business services in the region.
With transparent laws and regulations, zero restrictions on capital and profit repatriation, a strategic location less than one hour’s drive from Dubai, state-of-the-art communication facilities and easy access to Ras Al Khaimah’s airport and sea ports, the RAK FTZ welcomes you to explore our proven, business-friendly services.
For more information, visit: www.rakftz.com.
About the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce (LA Area Chamber):
The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of business in L.A. County. Founded in 1888, the Chamber promotes a prosperous economy and quality of life in the Los Angeles region.
For more information, visit: www.lachamber.com.
About the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council:
The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council is a progressive business advocacy organization solely committed to the advancement of the trade and commercial relationship between the United States and the United Arab Emirates. The Business Council actively works to ensure that the U.S. and U.A.E. remain attractive destinations for foreign direct investment by conducting effective policy advocacy, undertaking various trade promotion initiatives, providing ongoing updates on the business climate in both countries, and helping develop strategic relationships between U.S. and U.A.E. business and government officials.
For more information, visit: www.usuaebusiness.org.
