Ras Al Khaimah Ruler His Highness Sheikh Saud is named Visionary Leader of the Year

Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates: His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, was last night named the Visionary Leader of the Year at the Arabian Business Awards during a high-profile ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah.

In his acceptance speech, Sheikh Saud thanked the leadership of the UAE, the people of Ras Al Khaimah and those who have inspired him over the years.

Sheikh Saud said that he accepted the award “not just for myself but for the people I am privileged to lead in Ras Al Khaimah”. The people of Ras Al Khaimah, both Emiratis and expatriates, he said, all contribute to making the Emirate a fantastic place to live, work and visit and this award also honors the progress Ras Al Khaimah has made in recent years.

Sheikh Saud added:

“I thank the leadership of the UAE, who have created a safe and prosperous home for people from across the globe. Without their vision, the UAE would not be the great country it is today.

Some people want to achieve things in their lifetime … but what’s more important is to make a mark for generations to come – and that’s what I seek to achieve.   

My time on this earth is finite … Ras Al Khaimah’s success should be endless.”

Ali Akawi, CEO, ITP Media Group, said:  

“There is no better example of a Visionary Leader than His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi. Under his leadership, Ras Al Khaimah has developed a hugely successful, diverse economy, including attracting over a million tourists to the Emirate this year alone.

He has grown the Emirate into place where people can prosper, under a strong rule of law, and one in which every Government department is striving on a daily basis to reach its aims.

But what is most impressive is the passion, determination and relentless drive for growth that His Highness displays every single day, whilst at the same time motivating those who work for him to achieve even greater success.”

Jeremy Lawrence, Editorial Director, Arabian Business, said:

“When our editorial teams met six months ago to consider this year’s award winners, we spent hours debating each choice – with just one exception.

The award of Visionary Leader of the Year to His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi was the clear and immediate choice of every single member of our team. His work ethic, vision and leadership are an example to us all.”

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About His Highness Sheikh Saud

His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi is a Member of the Supreme Council of the UAE and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK). Born in Dubai in 1956, he was educated in RAK before attending the American University of Beirut. He later moved to the University of Michigan, graduating with an Economics Degree.

He returned home in 1979 and was appointed Chief of the Ruler’s Court before becoming Chairman of RAK Municipal Council in 1986. In this period, H.H. Sheikh Saud founded RAK Ceramics and restructured Julphar Pharmaceuticals and RAK Rock to ensure both became the industry leaders they are today.

H.H. Sheikh Saud was named Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah on 14 June 2003. In this role he oversaw the introduction of free zones, efficient business licensing procedures and offshore corporate registration.

On 27 October 2010, after the passing of his father H.H. Sheikh Saqr (May he rest in Peace), H.H. Sheikh Saud became the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. As Ruler, he has continued to expand and diversify Ras Al Khaimah’s economic base and improve the quality of its social services, while working hard to make high-quality education and healthcare services available to all the Emirate’s population.

H.H. Sheikh Saud received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Bolton, UK, in 2010; an Honorary Fellowship of the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research in India, in 2013; and an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Economics from Incheon National University, South Korea, in 2018.

About Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) is the northernmost of the seven Emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. It is known for its rich history, dating back 7,000 years, and diverse landscape, from 64km of pristine beaches, to terracotta deserts and an imposing mountain backdrop. The Emirate is home to the highest peak in the UAE, Jebel Jais, which features the world’s longest zip line, at almost 3km.

RAK is also centrally located at the modern crossroad between Europe and Asia, with one third of the world’s population within four hour’s flying time, making it an ideal location for businesses to expand into the UAE, the Middle East and Africa and beyond. 

At the Emirate's economic heart lies several major companies and sectors - industrial (including RAK Rock and Stevin Rock’s quarries, RAK Ceramics and Julphar Pharmaceuticals); RAK Ports; RAK Economic Zone; banking via RAKBANK; RAK Gas and tourism. Supporting these industries is a modern infrastructure, state-of-the-art industrial areas and business parks and world-class hotels, facilities and attractions for tourists. 

For the past decade, Ras Al Khaimah has been consistently rated ‘A’ by international rating agencies (Fitch and Standard & Poor’s) and already the Emirate is home to about 15,000 businesses, with almost 37,000 companies from 100 countries having trade licenses here. RAK Courts is also the second-fastest court in the world at enforcing contracts in commercial disputes.

© Press Release 2018