Ras Al Khaimah’s drive to diversify the emirate’s economic base, build on its investment-friendly policies and increase regional integration is given wide-ranging coverage in a new report just published by Oxford Business Group (OBG).

The Report: Ras Al Khaimah 2012 provides in-depth analysis of the government’s efforts to generate growth, especially in niche segments of the economy, while promoting sustainable development as it looks to address the challenge of resource depletion.

The publication, which marks OBG’s sixth business guide on the emirate, contains contributions from the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi and Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi, together with a detailed, sector-by-sector guide for investors.

It provides a wide range of interviews with leading political, economic and business representatives, including the CEO of the Investment and Development Office of the Government of RAK Jim Stewart, the COO of the Tourism Development Authority (TDA) and CEO of RAK’s Hospitality Group Victor A. Louis, and the Group General Manager of RAK Ports Colin Crookshank.

The Report: Ras Al Khaimah 2012 charts the emirate’s progress in carving out a niche for itself as a regional and international manufacturing hub by attracting new investors to its free zones and industrial parks. It documents the strong performance of RAK’s well-established ceramics segment, while exploring the government’s bid to shift the focus towards higher-end and luxury products.

With the number of visitors to RAK on the rise, OBG’s new report looks in detail at the emirate’s plans to increase hotel capacity and tap further investment for its tourism industry. The publication puts the emirate’s key infrastructure and transport developments under the microscope, considering the key role they will play in meeting the needs of both visitors and RAK’s growing population by boosting capacity across road, rail, air and sea.

Regional Editor Oliver Cornock said RAK’s decision to move ahead early with its diversification programme had given it a head-start on some of its regional peers in attracting foreign investment, while helping to produce a well-balanced economy.

“Ras Al Khaimah is one of the region’s more diversified economies, with plenty of increasing activity evident across a number of the sectors in fields including tourism, manufacturing, high-tech, retail and construction,” he said. “We expect growth to continue, particularly in fledgling niche segments and higher-value manufacturing.”

OBG’s Regional Director Michelle Solomon added that RAK’s business-friendly climate and commitment to expanding its economy further were sending out positive signals to the global business community. He also thanked the Group’s partners for their assistance in the compilation of data for The Report: Ras Al Khaimah 2012.

“Oxford Business Group has long recognised the important role that local representatives and experts can play by sharing knowledge and pooling resources with our research teams,” he said.

“I am confident that our new report will be instrumental in providing business leaders with accurate data and analysis on Ras Al Khaimah’s investment opportunities, while helping the emirate to strengthen its position on the global stage.”

The Report: Ras Al Khaimah 2012 marks the culmination of more than six months of field research by a team of analysts from OBG. It will be a vital guide to the many facets of the country, including its macroeconomics, infrastructure, banking and other sectoral developments. The Report: Ras Al Khaimah 2012 will be available in print or online.