RAK Ruler holds talks with President of Zanzibar

Ras Al Khaimah, Nov 13, 2011: H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, received H.E. Dr. Ali Mohamed Shein, President of Zanzibar, and an accompanying high- level delegation at the Al Dhait Palace here on Saturday.

The two leaders held wide- ranging discussions during which they resolved to further enhance the already strong bilateral relations between Ras Al Khaimah and Zanzibar, which is part of the United Republic of Tanzania. The meeting also reviewed the progress in the existing partnerships between Ras Al Khaimah and Zanzibar and discussed future directions of cooperation.

Welcoming the President and the accompanying delegation, Sheikh Saud reiterated Ras Al Khaimah's commitment to strengthening bilateral relationship with Zanzibar across various sectors. "There has been considerable progress in business and investment relations between the two regions and I believe that there are still further opportunities to be tapped so that our synergies could be exploited much more efficiently," Sheikh Saud said.

President Dr. Ali Mohamed Shein underlined the potential for cooperation with Ras Al Khaimah in the fields of infrastructure investment, trade, tourism and energy. "The relations between Ras Al Khaimah and Zanzibar have been on a sound footing which is reflected in the increased high- level contacts between the two governments in recent years. Zanzibar attaches great importance to its relationship with Ras Al Khaimah and would like to advance our partnerships to a higher level," he added.

H.E. Haroun Ali Suleiman, Minister of Labour, Economic Empowerment and Cooperatives of Zanzibar, said that the visit has opened up new avenues for strengthening cooperation with Ras Al Khaimah and would result in many new partnerships in education, scientific research, exploration, trade and tourism as well as providing more educational scholarships to students from Zanzibar.

The visiting delegation also included H.E. Nassor Ahmed Mazrui, Minister of Trade, Industry and Marketing, H.E. Mhadhi Juma Maaalim, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H.E Mohamed Maharage Juma, Tanzanian Ambassador to the UAE, and many senior officials.

Also present at the meeting were Sheikh Omar bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAK Airways and RAKBANK, Sheikh Abdullah bin Humaid Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Office of the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Sheikh Saqr bin Khalid Al Qasimi, Ruurd S Abma, Chief Operating Officer of RAK Gas, and heads of government departments.

During his tour of the emirate, the President of Zanzibar visited Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries (Julphar), RAK Medical and Health Sciences University, RAK Hospital, RAK Ceramics and the Mina Al Arab project of RAK Properties.

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K R Rajeev
Media and Communications
Ruler's Court
Government of Ras Al Khaimah
Off: +9717 2289421
Fax: +9717 2270426

© Press Release 2011