Ras Al Khaimah Press Releases

The Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone has reported a record number of precious metals companies registered within its jurisdiction, reflecting the growing recognition of Ras Al Khaimah as a significant destination for gold and precious metals sector businesses within the UAE's commodities ecosystem.

The Government of Ras Al Khaimah has formally launched a Minerals and Metals Trading Hub within the RAKEZ framework, establishing a dedicated commercial and regulatory environment for companies active in gold, silver, base metals, and critical minerals.

A major expansion of precious metals refining capacity in Ras Al Khaimah has been announced, with a new facility under development that will add approximately 50 tonnes of annual gold refining capacity to the UAE's overall precious metals processing infrastructure.

A formal RAK-Africa Gold Supply Chain Partnership has been established at the Ras Al Khaimah Investment Summit, bringing together RAKEZ and gold sector bodies from Uganda, Ghana, and Tanzania to develop gold trade flows between African producing nations and Ras Al Khaimah.

RAKEZ has published a new Precious Metals Compliance Framework aligned with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance, the UAE's national precious metals regulations, and the responsible sourcing standards of the London Bullion Market Association.

A comprehensive geological survey of the Hajar Mountains region has identified several new mineral occurrences of potential commercial interest, reinforcing Ras Al Khaimah's distinctive position as the only part of the UAE with significant indigenous mineral resources.

The RAK Investment Authority has launched a dedicated Minerals Sector Development Fund with an initial capitalisation of AED 500 million, providing finance for precious metals and minerals sector businesses and infrastructure within Ras Al Khaimah and across African supply chains.

Ras Al Khaimah and the United Republic of Tanzania have signed a bilateral minerals cooperation agreement, establishing a formal framework for developing gold and minerals trade flows between Tanzania and Ras Al Khaimah's growing precious metals sector.

RAKEZ has concluded a record year for minerals and metals sector company registrations, with 200 new businesses joining the free zone's metals and minerals category in 2025, more than double the registrations recorded in 2024.

Ras Al Khaimah has inaugurated a dedicated precious metals testing and assay centre within RAKEZ's Al Ghail industrial zone, providing RAKEZ-registered metals companies with access to professional-grade gold and silver testing and certification services within the emirate.

The Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development has launched a mandatory gold hallmarking programme covering all gold jewellery and article retailers operating within the emirate, aligning RAK with the hallmarking standards operated across the UAE.

Ras Al Khaimah and Uganda have deepened their bilateral minerals partnership with the signing of a new supply chain framework agreement, establishing dedicated channels for Ugandan gold operators to access RAKEZ's growing precious metals ecosystem.

Ras Al Khaimah has launched a Sustainable Minerals Framework covering all precious metals and minerals sector businesses registered within RAKEZ, establishing environmental, social, and governance standards aligned with the UAE's national sustainability commitments.

A new purpose-built precious metals vault facility has opened within RAKEZ's industrial zone, adding secure, insured gold and silver storage capacity and enabling RAKEZ-registered metals companies to manage physical inventory holdings within the emirate.

RAKEZ has partnered with a UAE-based trade finance institution to launch a Precious Metals Finance Facility providing working capital, trade finance, and supply chain financing to RAKEZ-registered metals companies, with a specific focus on African gold supply chains.

Ras Al Khaimah and the Republic of Ghana have signed a bilateral gold trade framework agreement, creating a formal commercial and governance structure for gold flows between Ghana and RAKEZ's developing precious metals market.

RAKEZ has launched its Digital Commodities Platform, providing precious metals and minerals sector companies with digital tools for supply chain documentation, compliance reporting, counterparty due diligence, and transaction management.

The Ras Al Khaimah government has formally announced a strategic initiative to develop the emirate as the UAE's second precious metals hub, positioned as a complement to Dubai's DMCC ecosystem and a dedicated commercial gateway for mid-market operators and African supply chain companies.