Ten companies that displayed relentless commitment to organisational excellence and contributed significantly to strengthen Ras al-Khaimah’s socio-economic future won the RAK Free Zones Business Excellence Awards on Thursday, the first joint awards programme organised by Ras al-Khaimah Free Trade Zone, RAK FTZ, and Ras al-Khaimah Investment Authority, RAKIA.

Award winners and runners-up were selected by an independent judging committee from the IPE, following a systematic assessment process.

Excitement filled Rixos Bab Al Bahr as the much-awaited awards programme announced the names of the winners. "We have been organising the Business Excellence Awards for three successive years now, but the gratifying feeling of showcasing the hard work of passionate companies never gets old," said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAK FTZ and RAKIA. "Knowing that we have played a vital role in nurturing these truly admirable companies makes me very proud."

The recipients of the 2016 RAK Free Zones Business Excellence Awards are: BEST NEW STARTUP Salaty, a provider of prayer essentials for women and children BEST NEW TECHNOLOGY Burkert Middle East, a manufacturer of measurement and control systems for liquids and gases BEST SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Stafford Associates, one of the oldest distance learning providers in the Middle East FASTEST GROWING COMPANY - SMALL Synergy International, a technical resource engineering company FASTEST GROWING COMPANY - MEDIUM and LARGE International Armored Group, an armoured vehicle manufacturer with unparalleled safety and performance record BEST INDUSTRIAL COMPANY OF THE YEAR - SMALL SIZE Spatial Composite Solutions, one of the global leaders in providing cabin crew training simulators BEST INDUSTRIAL COMPANY OF THE YEAR - MEDIUM SIZE Naturelle, a manufacturer of FMCG products for various brands of Dabur International BEST INDUSTRIAL COMPANY OF THE YEAR - LARGE SIZE ARC International Middle East, one of the leading producers of glass tableware BEST CONTRIBUTOR TO RAS AL KHAIMAH DEVELOPMENT Utico, the largest full-service private utility in the Middle East BEST CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Future College FZE, an academic infrastructure provider Runners-up were also recognised during the ceremony. These included D Raama Clothing, Experio International, Kersten Middle East, Abiya Building Materials Trading, TAG Middle East, Global Processing, Ocean Rubber Factory, CORE and Mahindra Emirates Vehicles Armouring.

Speaking on the occasion, Ramy Jallad, CEO of RAK FTZ and RAKIA, praised the winners, saying, "We received a huge number of remarkable applications this year, but the names we revealed tonight were the ones that truly exceeded expectations in serving their respective stakeholders and the community of Ras al-Khaimah. Congratulations to all the winners. I wish that their journey to excellence continues and serves as an inspiration to other businesses in the UAE."

Jallad also said that both the free zones would continue to support businesses in the emirate with the aim of consolidating Ras al-Khaimah’s position as a highly attractive business destination for investors from all over the world.

"In 2017, RAK FTZ and RAKIA will roll out major developments, but the motivation behind why we do what we do will always stay the same - and that is to keep innovating the business-friendly environment that we provide to our clients. Facilitating their growth so that they can reach new milestones will always be on the top of our list," he concluded. 

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