Saud bin Saqr Al-Qasimi is the Emir of Ras al-Khaimah and member of the Federal Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates since October 27, 2010.
Biography
Sheikh Saud is the fourth son of Saqr bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi. As a child, he was educated at home, in Ras al-Khaimah. At the age of 17, Sheikh Saud was enrolled in the Department of Economics of the American University of Beirut. Later he obtained the Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Economics from the University of Michigan (USA). In 1979 Sheikh Saud was appointed Chief of the Ruler’s Court, and in 2003 he was declared Crown Prince of the emirate Ras al-Khaimah.
After the death of Emir Saqr bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi in 2010, his fourth son, Saud, became the head of the emirate. However, his elder brother, Sheikh Khalid bin Saqr Al-Qasimi, a former heir to the throne, posted a video message on the Internet proclaiming himself an Emir. The government troops immediately surrounded the palace of Prince Khalid. The Federal Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates and other federal authorities of the United Arab Emirates supported Crown Prince Saud. Apart from his political activity, Sheikh Saud has been very successful in the private sector.
Career
Until 2010, Sheikh Saud served as Chief of the Ruler’s Court, Head of the Education Council of the Emirate, and also managed several companies including Julphar, Ras al-Khaimah Ceramic Company, and Al Manal Shopping Center. In 2010, Sheikh Saud received an honorary doctorate from the University of Bolton – Ras Al-Khaimah.
Julphar Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries Manufacturers produces medicines and health products used to fight various conditions from headaches to heart diseases. Sheikh Saud has been successfully running the company which specializes in wound care, cardiovascular illnesses and is also one of the world’s biggest producers of insulin.
Ras al-Khaimah Ceramics (RAK Ceramics) was founded in 1989. It is now one of the largest ceramics manufacturers around the globe. RAK Ceramics specializes in floor tiles, sanitary fittings, kitchen sinks, and faucets. The annual production capacity of the company is 110 million square meters of tiles and 24 million pieces of porcelain. It employs 15,000 people. Sheikh Saud is one of the biggest shareholders of RAK Ceramics.
Al Manal Shopping Center is one of the favorite sites where the locals shop. It contains more than 100 stores selling fashionable clothes, cosmetics, jewelry, electronics, toys, fabric, and suitcases. Furthermore, here you will find six restaurants which serve delicious food.
Policy
Saud bin Saqr Al-Qasimi has turned the emirate of Ras al-Khaimah into an attractive investment destination. Due to his political and economic activity, the emirate has started to thrive truly. His experience in entrepreneurship has made him a business-savvy professional. Under his leadership, Ras Al-Khaimah is undergoing unprecedented growth. His initiatives and reforms have improved the emirate’s GDP and are still fostering change in the investment sector.
Apart from RAK Ceramics, other important companies operating on the territory of the UAE include RAK Ports and RAK Rock, and Al Hamra Group. The emirate is also home to Ras al-Khaimah Free Trade Zone. RAK ports are key gateways for import and export. The services they provide are diverse. There are, in fact, five separate ports – all of them are high-class places to do business. RAK Rock is an environmentally-friendly quarrying company with over 40 years of experience. It is one of the greatest contributors to the UAE economy and is responsible for the provision of materials for the biggest construction companies in the Gulf Region. Al Hamra Group is real estate development and investment company which includes residence and village complex, yacht and golf clubs, and mall.
As Head of the Education Council of the Emirate, Sheikh Saud has paid particular attention to providing world-class higher education to the local population. American University of Ras al-Khaimah is an independent institution delivering education with an emphasis on developing academic skills and research. The university standards correspond to international requirements. The study is conducted in English which helps graduates to become fluent in this language. However, American University of Ras al-Khaimah is not the only place in the emirate where research is conducted. Sheikh Saud has also founded the Ras al-Khaimah Centre for Advanced Materials (RAK-CAM). The center performs the study of the mechanical, chemical, electrical, magnetic, and optical behavior of nanostructured materials.
Another important public sector of the sheikh’s activity is healthcare. In 2006 he established Ras al-Khaimah Medical and Health Sciences University (RAKMHSU). It is a university consisting of College of Medical Sciences, College of Dental Sciences, Nursing College and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences. It was created to prepare future generations of qualified doctors. Social, cultural and economic development is Sheikh Saud’s primary concerns. This is exactly why the Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research was founded. The main priority areas of the Foundation’s work are education, research and community engagement. It is aimed at helping students grow personally and professionally.
Ras Al-Khaimah Free Trade Zone
His Highness places special emphasis on the development and expansion of Ras al-Khaimah Free Trade Zone. It provides one of the best pricing in the UAE, has no requirements for capital, owner’s presence or annual audit. The main license types it sells include trading and general license, professional and industrial licenses. Established in 2000, it offers customized facilities and services. To foster further development of the zone, Sheikh Saud founded Ras al-Khaimah Economic Zone as a special agency to help both free zone and non-free zone businesses. It is in charge of Ras al-Khaimah Free Trade Zone and RAK Investment Authority.
Personal Life
Saud bin Saqr Al-Qasimi pays great attention to family values and family ties, he has six children and is married to Sheikha Hana bint Juma Al Majid. They have two daughters and four sons – Sheikh Mohammed, Sheikh Ahmed, Sheikh Khalid, Sheikh Saqr, Sheikha Amna and Sheikha Mahra. Since Ras Al-Khaimah is a hereditary constitutional monarchy, Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi is the heir to the throne and the Crown Prince.
Conclusion
Under the rule of his Highness, Saud bin Saqr Al-Qasimi, Ras al-Khaimah has experienced significant growth in tourism and economics. It is a politically stable and harmonious emirate the head of which strives for modernization and openness. The World Bank ranked Ras al-Khaimah 45th business-friendly places out of 190 states. Taking into account the emirate’s geographical location and strength of institutions, the emirate has every reason to count on investment flows from all over the world.
