RAK FTZ hosts Seminar for Pakistani SMEs
Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone held a business seminar in London on the 13 March at the Hotel Radisson Blu. Supported by the UK-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UKPCCI), the seminar was attended by more than 120 businessmen originating from Pakistan.
Luca Gorlero, RAK FTZ Director Marketing & Business Development, opened with a lively presentation, which was followed by a corporate film detailing the state-of-the-art technology and facilities within the free zone. In his presentation, Gorlero pointed out the many advantages that the free zone, one of the fastest growing in the region, offers potential investors - like its strategic proximity to the Indian subcontinent and other GCC countries and the numerous value added services that are designed to help companies get started and grow quickly and cost effectively.
“Currently, the emerging markets are very dynamic, growing along with the recovery of the global economy,” Gorlero explained. “Emerging markets are leading the global recovery, not by chance but rather because of the strong economic fundamentals and long term demographic trends that these countries present. In the midst of this revival, businesses, especially small and medium size enterprises, must be very smart and act quickly, by looking for opportunities that increase their exposure to emerging markets, position them for growth in the long run, and therefore, make the most of their investment.
With full ownership and a tax free jurisdiction, the business environment within the free zone is specifically designed to facilitate successful entry into the emerging markets, particularly for small and medium enterprises.” He went on to explain how RAK FTZ makes it easier for clients to settle in and start operations by offering clients legal, human resources and marketing assistance. Gorlero added that, to date, a wide range of companies – from big corporations to SMEs – from 106 countries globally have the RAK FTZ advantage and are fully operating in the Middle East.
Due to the audience’s interest in learning more about RAK FTZ products and services, the time allotted during the seminar for a Q&A session was nearly not enough, which has prompted RAK FTZ to adopt a more active marketing stance in relation to the Pakistani business community in London. RAK FTZ already has a solid presence in Europe, especially a long and fruitful relationship with Germany where it has a regional office in Cologne.
Dr. Ashraf Chohan, President of the UK-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UKPCCI), ended the seminar with high praise for RAK FTZ. Also in attendance were Niloofar Faliyaat, RAK FTZ Business Development Manager, Nadia Rinawi RAK FTZ Regional Manager, Germany, Raja Adil of Adil Sons, Tariq Chaudhray and Muzaffar Chaudhry of Bestway Group, Sami Ullah, Former President of UKPCCI, and Shazhad Ahmed of the OBE & Councillor Mushtaq Lasharie.
