Twelve outstanding free zone and non-free zone businesses have been named as the winners of Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) Business Excellence Awards 2018. In collaboration with RAK Department of Economic Development (RAK DED), RAKEZ has given away a total of AED 200,000 worth of cash prizes to the winners during the awarding ceremony held at Rixos Bab Al Bahr, Al Marjan Island.

On its fifth year, RAKEZ Business Excellence Awards saw a remarkable 95% increase in submissions, from over 360 entries in 2017 to more than 700 in 2018. The award winners and runners-up were selected through a systematic evaluation process by an independent judging committee from the International Performance Excellence (IPE).

“Since its launch in 2014, a total of 44 companies have walked the stage of RAKEZ Business Excellence Awards. But what do they have in common? They all have this joy in their eyes, as if telling the world: ‘we did it!” This is why we continue organising this awards programme. When we see our clients excel, we get inspired to excel as well, especially in providing them with the solutions they need to achieve their goals,” said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAKEZ. “I would like to congratulate all the winners of the RAKEZ Business Excellence Awards 2018. May your excellence be contagious throughout the Ras Al Khaimah business community.”

The recipients of the RAKEZ Business Excellence Awards 2018 are:
• BEST NEW STARTUP
TECSOL Software, a software development company
• BEST NEW STARTUP (RAK DED)
T Time Project Management & Agencies, a management and F&B franchise consultancy company
• BEST SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Eco Fresh, the leading producer of mushrooms in the UAE
• BEST SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR (RAK DED)
Ibrahim Al Hosani Advocates, Legal Services & Training, a provider of wide-ranging professional services in all chief fields of law
• BEST NEW TECHNOLOGY
Ginox UAE, a stainless steel kitchen equipment manufacturer
• FASTEST GROWING COMPANY – SMALL/MEDIUM
GPK Marine Management Services Group, a provider of cost effective and safe solutions for marine operations
• FASTEST GROWING COMPANY – MEDIUM/LARGE
Marjan Island Resort and Spa, an international hotel chain managed by ACCORHOTELS
• BEST INDUSTRIAL COMPANY OF THE YEAR – SMALL/MEDIUM & BEST CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Franke, a high quality stainless steel products manufacturer 
• BEST INDUSTRIAL COMPANY OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM/LARGE
Al Nuaimi Ready Mix Concrete, one of the largest and oldest ready mixed concrete suppliers in Ras Al Khaimah
• BEST CONTRIBUTOR TO RAS AL KHAIMAH DEVELOPMENT
Utico, the largest private utilities developer in the UAE and the largest full service utility in the Middle East
• BEST CONTRIBUTOR TO RAS AL KHAIMAH DEVELOPMENT (RAK DED)
 Al Nuaimi Group, a one-stop construction solutions provider
• BEST CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (RAK DED)
RAK Mall, a mall developed and managed by Lulu Group International’s Line Investments & Property LLC

Runner-ups also received a glass trophy during the ceremony, including: Dragon Consulting Services, Dar Al Farah Cloaks, Standard Lubricant Industries, Bianco Dry Cleaner, International Industries, Ace Cranes & Engineering, Alpinter Nizam Industries, Guardian Zoujaj International Float Glass Co., Extra Co. Industries L.L.C., Union Cement, and Catalyst Middle East. 

RAKEZ Group CEO Ramy Jallad shared that “the entries were not only higher in number for 2018, they were also higher in quality, and our judges from IPE had a really exciting time in selecting the winners. In the next edition of RAKEZ Business Excellence Awards, we will be adding more categories to further broaden the scope of the programme and most importantly, to encourage more businesses to reach greater heights.”

Commenting on RAK DED’s partnership with RAKEZ, Dr Abdulrahman Alshayeb Alnaqbi, RAK DED Director General said: “Working with RAKEZ for the 2nd year to celebrate Ras Al Khaimah’s success stories continue to be a wonderful experience for us. Witnessing our clients’ triumph is very rewarding, and it is something that we would not get tired of. We would definitely be glad to team up with RAKEZ again.”

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