A high-level delegation from Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ) was in China last week to share the advantages and benefits of setting up and expanding businesses at the UAE free zone with the local investors.

Sheikh Ahmad Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, the chairman of RAK FTZ and Ramy Jallad, the acting CEO, conducted high-level meetings and seminars with key government and investment bodies, as well as local companies in the Chinese cities of Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Foshan and Hong Kong during the visit.

It was RAK FTZ's second road show in China. A free zone delegation had visited Beijing in November last year.

"Since the UAE and China established diplomatic relations more than 30 years ago, bilateral cooperation between the two countries has produced continuous growth across numerous economic sectors in both nations," remarked Sheikh Ahmad.

"Economic development is particularly beneficial to Chinese investors at RAK FTZ, where they can operate free of taxation, with full ownership of their companies and a full range of business set-up and support services to ensure their success," he noted.

RAK has attracted interest from several Chinese investors who have set up companies in the free zone. They include, among others: Li Jie International Trading, which handles the procurement and processing of spent catalysts and non-ferrous metallic residues from petrochemical businesses; Stimes Fabric and Steel Structure, which trades in building materials, tents, awnings and tarpaulin and Fu Yu Trading, which trades in garments, gifts, toys and games.

The free zone is also home to Chinese-owned Hinloon Trading, which does business in packaging machinery and spare parts.

The company had opened its unit in RAK FTZ in 2013 to take advantage of the free zone's location, which provides easy access to customers in the Middle East and Africa.

"We set up our operations at RAK FTZ because we were able to get good value for our money, and it was easy to communicate with their staff," said Anson Chen, the company's managing director. "We were also pleased with the facilities and business set-up services that RAK FTZ provided," he stated.

The Chinese company now plans to expand from its flexi desk into a RAK FTZ warehouse, added Chen.-TradeArabia News Service