The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council led a U.S. Department of Commerce-certified health trade delegation visit to Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) on Thursday, April 17th after concluding a 3-day visit to Abu Dhabi Global Health Week (ADGHW). The delegation, comprised of the U.S. Consul General in Dubai Robert Raines and senior executives from U.S. healthcare and life sciences companies, visited RAK Hospital, RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, RAKEZ, and Julphar Pharmaceuticals. The visit culminated with a meeting with His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and U.A.E. Supreme Council Member, at the RAK Rulers Palace.
His Highness Sheikh Saud welcomed the delegation to Ras Al Khaimah and shared his vision for the Emirate’s development, focusing on the expanding healthcare and life sciences sector. He underscored the importance of continued dialogue in strengthening the relationship between RAK and the United States, highlighting the vital role of human connections in achieving shared prosperity. His Highness expressed a strong interest in fostering further collaboration with U.S. companies. He encouraged attendees to explore opportunities to partner with RAK in building a future rooted in innovation, economic growth, and mutual understanding.
U.S. Consul General in Dubai, Robert Raines, expressed his gratitude to H.H. Sheikh Saud for the warm reception and commended his pragmatic policy-making in supporting business growth in the Emirate. Consul General Raines acknowledged the world-class health and life science leadership that the delegation met with during their visit. He also emphasized the potential to deepen the strong bilateral business ties between Ras Al Khaimah and the United States, particularly in the healthcare and life sciences sectors.
Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) briefed delegates about the growing development in all sectors across the Emirate. RAKEZ is a business licensing authority that offers customizable solutions for U.A.E. company formation to free zone and non-free zone businesses. RAKEZ forms a multinational community of over 40,000 companies that flourishes in over 50 sectors. On a path to rapid expansion, delegates heard from members of RAKEZ on how RAK is becoming a global hub for business through corporate tax advantages and cost efficiency.
Raza Siddiqui, CEO of Arabian Healthcare Group, shared recent developments in RAK hospital, as well as its plans for expansion in the coming years. In line with RAK’s growing population and H.H. Sheikh Saud’s vision for healthcare growth in the Emirate, RAK Hospital is building a new 209 bed hospital. Focusing on a holisitic approach of proactive health, RAK Hospital has a vision to be “on the bleeding edge of healthcare”. As RAK Hospital continues to grow, Raza Siddiqui explained that they are looking to partner with U.S. institutions in medical technology integration. He spoke highly of RAK Hospital’s partnership with CommonSpirit Health.
Professor Dr. Ismail Ibrahim Ali Matalka, President of RAK Medical and Health Sciences University (MHSU) shared with delegates the university’s efforts to integrate AI and advanced technology into their academic curriculum. RAK MHSU currently offers AI training courses to all students in an effort to train the next generation of healthcare leaders in cutting edge technology. Dr. Matalka gave the delegation a tour of RAK MHSU’s Metaverse Lab, a testament to the university’s commitment to technological integration and medical education innovation. RAK MHSU hopes to partner with U.S. universities, and support education exchange and knowledge transfer with their U.S. counterparts.
Basel Ziyadeh, CEO of Julphar, discussed the current pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities at Julphar including insulin production, anti-diabetics, anti-anemic drug development, antibiotics, and anti-fungal. Mr. Ziyadeh also spoke about Julphar’s recent growth in the multiple sclerosis oral treatment development. Over the last 45 years, Julphar has grown to 10 facilities that export to 40 countries around the world, making it the #1 pharmaceutical producer in the U.A.E.
For more information about the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council’s healthcare and life science programming, please contact Adam Karadsheh at akaradsheh@usuaebusiness.org. To read the 2025 edition of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council’s report on U.A.E. Healthcare and Life Sciences Sector, please see here.
