Enabling Business Through Investments in Ras Al Khaimah

Speakers

Dr. Khater Massaad CEO Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority Dr. Khater Massaad has been instrumental along with H.H. Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qassimi, the Crown Prince & Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah in founding RAK Ceramics in 1991. The driving force behind the Company all along, he has guided the destiny of what is now the topmost ceramic manufacturing organisation in the world, and a jewel in the manufacturing sector of the entire Middle East, - all achieved within 16 years.

Dr. Massaad’s career milestone in the middle east region started in early eighties when he commenced geophysical investigations for clay deposits, dams and water in the GCC and Levant countries. He was assigned the position of “Project Manager” for various underground water projects in the United Arab Emirates and in the Sultanate of Oman. His vision went beyond geophysical investigations and projects to touch the industrial sector of the UAE, where he initiated feasibility studies for various factories. Thereafter, he envisioned a major plan for a ceramic factory in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, and set up and managed R.A.K. Ceramics -a landmark in the Global Ceramic Industry. Dr. Khater Massaad was conferred with the fDi PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR Award in August 2007 in recognition of his efforts in attracting foreign investment to Ras Al Khaimah and his role in the spectacular transformation of Ras Al Khaimah into a thriving business and investment destination in the region. In being named the 'fDi Personality of the Year', Dr. Massaad joined the ranks of such previous winners as, former Mexican President Vicente Fox (2003), Brazilian President Luis Inácio Lula da Silva (2004), former Mayor of Seoul Lee Myung-bak (2005) and Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty (2006).

Dr. Khater Massaad was appointed in August 2003 as the Advisor to The Crown Prince & Deputy Ruler of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah , His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi. He plays a key role in the rapid development of the Emirate as CEO of the RAK Investment Authority ( RAKIA ) a position which he was appointed to in the year 2005 . In the first 2 years itself - RAKIA has attracted more than US $ 1 billion in industrial investments into Ras Al Khaimah . Dr. Khater Massaad is also the Executive Chairman of RAKEEN - the land master-planner and developer in real estate & township development in the Emirate & also overseas , which was created through a Royal Decree by His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. Dr. Massaad holds a Master’s degree in Engineering and a Phd in Geophysics. A professional pilot as well, Dr. Massaad likes to use the little spare time available to him in flying his private jet.

Read the full article at ETIntelligence Group