Ras Al Khaimah Delegation Looks to South Florida for New Trade and Investment Partnerships
  • Council Events, Past Events

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(Left to Right): Danny Sebright, President of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council; Julio Ligorria, Partner, JP Global Advisors; Dr. Carel Richter, Advisor, International Relations, Office of the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah; Consul General H.E. Mohammad Al Ahbabi, U.A.E. Consul General in Miami; His Excellency Rashid Khalifa Al Nuaimi, Director General, Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Jeannette Paulino, Founding Partner, JP Global Advisors 

“The U.S.-U.A.E. partnership is trusted, future-focused, and delivering results.” – H.E. Mohammad Al Ahbabi, Consul General of the U.A.E. in Miami

The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council hosted an executive dinner on Monday, September 21st in Miami in honor of a senior delegation from Ras Al Khaimah. The gathering brought together leaders from Ras Al Khaimah with members of Miami’s business community to discuss opportunities for deeper commercial engagement between the emirate and the United States, particularly in tourism and hospitality, real estate, infrastructure, logistics, technology, healthcare, education, and investment.

H.E. Mohammed Abdulla Al Ahbabi, the new Consul General of the U.A.E. in Miami, joined the dinner. Since taking up his post in January 2026, His Excellency has made expanding commercial ties between the U.A.E. and Florida a central focus. Consul General Ahbabi noted that Ras Al Khaimah is getting global attention due to its priority sectors, such as tourism, manufacturing, and construction, and the opportunities that exist there.

The Ras Al Khaimah delegation’s visit to Miami and South Florida is designed to deepen the growing relationship between RAK and the region and translate those ties into tangible commercial and institutional partnerships. Dr. Richter highlighted that this marks the first time representatives from different RAK entities are traveling ” as RAK” with the aim to present one unified integrated business ecosystem. As part of their visit, H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi has tasked the delegation with exploring opportunities in Florida, Michigan, Nevada, Utah, and New York.

Ras Al Khaimah as a Growing Business Hub

  • Diversified Economy: RAK’s economy is valued at approximately $13 billion, spanning manufacturing, tourism, real estate, logistics, financial services, and digital industries.
  • Business Hub: RAKEZ, in partnership with the RAK Chamber of Commerce & Industry, supports more than 50,000 companies across 50+ sectors, offering free-zone and non-free-zone business setups.
  • Industrial Strength: RAK has a longstanding manufacturing base, particularly in building materials, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, metals, and advanced manufacturing.
  • Tourism Growth: RAK welcomed a record 1.35 million visitors in 2025 and is targeting 3.5 million annually by 2030. These visitor numbers are expected to grow threefold with the development of Wynn Al Marjan Island.
  • Hospitality & Real Estate: Billions of dollars in new hotels, residences, and mixed-use developments are reshaping the emirate, led by projects across Al Marjan Island, Mina, and Marjan Beach.
  • Wynn Al Marjan Island: The multibillion-dollar integrated resort is scheduled to open in September 2027 and will feature the U.A.E.’s first licensed commercial gaming facility, alongside 1,500+ rooms and suites, dining, entertainment, retail, and event space. The resort is gaining international attention and driving development in other sectors to support the growth of Ras Al Khaimah. 
  • Technology & Innovation: RAK Innovation City is helping build the emirate’s emerging technology and startup ecosystem, connecting technology companies, entrepreneurs, investors, and digital businesses with opportunities in RAK. The delegation’s South Florida visit is also focused on connecting Innovation City with founders, venture capital firms, corporate innovators, and U.S. companies interested in expanding into the U.A.E. and wider GCC.
  • Healthcare & Life Sciences: RAK is prioritizing the development of a stronger healthcare and life sciences ecosystem, with opportunities around medical innovation, medical education, research, digital health, and medical tourism. 
  • Global Connectivity: RAK offers access to major regional markets through its ports, international airport, highway connections to Dubai, and proximity to major global aviation hubs.
  • U.S. Opportunity: RAK’s expansion is creating opportunities for American companies across hospitality, entertainment, real estate, infrastructure, aviation, logistics, technology, healthcare, and professional services.

Why South Florida for U.A.E. Companies

  • Natural Economic Fit: RAK and South Florida share strengths in tourism, hospitality, real estate, logistics, aviation, technology, healthcare, and international trade.
  • Florida’s Economic Anchor: South Florida accounts for roughly one-third of Florida’s GDP, with Miami-Dade and Broward Counties serving as major centers for finance, tourism, real estate, technology, aviation, logistics, and international business. 
  • Trade and Transportation Engines: Miami International Airport and PortMiami are major economic engines for the region, supporting international cargo, tourism, logistics, and commerce. International trade is a backbone of Miami’s economy, with trade and logistics accounting for roughly 15% of local GDP.
  • Gateway to the Americas: Miami provides RAK companies and institutions with connections to the U.S., Latin America, and the Caribbean, supported by major airport and seaport infrastructure.
  • Destination Development: Miami’s luxury hotels, branded residences, mixed-use districts, and entertainment economy offer relevant models as RAK rapidly expands its own tourism and hospitality sector.
  • Aviation & Marine: Broward and Fort Lauderdale bring additional expertise in business aviation, yachting, marine services, waterfront development, and tourism. 


Following their visit to South Florida, the delegation will continue their trip to Michigan, Utah, Nevada, and New York.

For more information about the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council’s cyber security programming, please contact Caitlin Cottrell at ccottrell@usuaebusiness.org.