- HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi inaugurates consultancy in Guangzhou, stating: ‘We are creating a lasting home along our shared path, connecting our people, our cultures and our industries’
- New consultancy establishes a permanent presence to advance economic, business and institutional ties with China
- Ras Al Khaimah Ruler meets Wang Xi, Member of the Standing Committee of Guangdong Provincial Committee, to discuss expanding cooperation across multiple sectors of mutual interest
October, 2026, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China: His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, inaugurated the Emirate’s first business consultancy in China. The consultancy inauguration marks a significant milestone in Ras Al Khaimah’s longstanding relations with the Provinces of China, opening a new chapter of cooperation and partnership.
Located in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province and one of China’s leading economic and industrial centers, the consultancy will serve as a leading platform dedicated to strengthening Ras Al Khaimah’s engagement with Chinese businesses, facilitating new partnerships and expanding cooperation across key sectors.
The inauguration was attended by Her Excellency Mariam Alshamsi, UAE Consul General in Guangzhou, Eng. Yousif Al Ali, CEO of Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE), and a number of Chinese business leaders. It builds on a relationship that stretches back centuries, when maritime trade connected Ras Al Khaimah with China through the exchange of goods, including porcelain and pearls. This shared history, together with more than four decades of diplomatic relations between the UAE and China, provides a strong foundation for continued cooperation.
Addressing attendees, HH Sheikh Saud said: “Our history and our experience have taught us that partners look beyond opportunity alone. They seek stability, transparency, governance and commitment. This is the environment we have built in Ras Al Khaimah.
“Today, we take a meaningful step forward in our partnership, inaugurating Ras Al Khaimah’s first business consultancy here in Guangzhou. By establishing this consultancy, we create a lasting home along our shared path. We connect our people, our cultures and our industries. In doing so, we are ensuring that our collaboration is no longer periodic, but continuous, and no longer transactional, but truly transformative.”
HH Sheikh Saud toured the new consultancy and witnessed a traditional Chinese lion dance and the distribution of customary red packets, which added a vibrant cultural dimension to the inauguration ceremony.
As part of the celebrations, the Ras Al Khaimah 2027 Calendar Sketches Competition was held, where almost 200 Guangzhou students aged 11 to 15 were asked to explore Ras Al Khaimah through art, drawing inspiration from the Emirate’s natural landscapes, mountains, beaches, heritage, culture and traditions. The 12 winning entries will feature in the official Ras Al Khaimah 2027 Calendar.
As part of his visit to Guangdong, HH Sheikh Saud also met Wang Xi, Member of the Standing Committee of Guangdong Provincial Committee, to discuss further strengthening relations between Ras Al Khaimah and the province and expanding cooperation across multiple sectors of mutual interest.
The meeting was attended by His Excellency Hussain Al Hammadi, UAE Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, and Her Excellency Mariam Alshamsi, UAE Consul General in Guangzhou.
With a population of over 128.6 million people, Guangdong has the largest economy of any province in China, with a GDP of US$2 trillion (AED7.34 trillion) in 2025. It is a major manufacturing hub, with electronics, automotive, textiles, pharmaceuticals, high-tech industries, finance and real estate making up some of the key sectors.
About His Highness Sheikh Saud:
His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi is a Member of the Supreme Council of the UAE and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK). Born in Dubai in 1956, he was educated in Ras Al Khaimah before attending the American University of Beirut. He later moved to the University of Michigan, graduating with an Economics Degree.
He returned home in 1978 and was appointed Chief of the Ruler’s Court before becoming Chairman of Ras Al Khaimah Municipal Council in 1986. In this period, HH Sheikh Saud founded RAK Ceramics and restructured Julphar Pharmaceuticals and Stevin Rock to ensure both became the industry leaders they are today.
HH Sheikh Saud was named Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah on 14 June 2003. In this role he oversaw the introduction of free zones, efficient business licensing procedures and offshore corporate registration.
On 27 October 2010, after the passing of his father H.H. Sheikh Saqr (May he rest in Peace), HH Sheikh Saud became the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. As Ruler, he has continued to expand and diversify Ras Al Khaimah’s economic base and improve the quality of its social services, while working hard to make high-quality education and healthcare services available to all the Emirate’s population.
HH Sheikh Saud received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Bolton, UK, in 2010; an Honorary Fellowship of the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research in India, in 2013; and an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Economics from Incheon National University, South Korea, in 2018, a year in which he was also named Visionary Leader of the Year by Arabian Business.
About Ras Al Khaimah:
Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), the fourth largest Emirate in the UAE, is distinguished by its natural diversity, rich history and forward-thinking vision under His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi. With a commitment to sustainable development, economic prosperity, social development and innovation, RAK has become an ideal place to live, work and invest.
Strategically located between East and West – with one third of the world’s population within four hours’ flying time – RAK is a gateway to the Middle East and beyond. Its economy is diverse, with no single sector accounting for more than 23% of GDP. RAK offers a business-friendly environment with customizable services, competitive operating costs, 100% foreign ownership, zero personal income tax and one of the world’s lowest corporate tax rates. With world-class infrastructure, RAK is home to over 73,000 companies, including industry leaders such as RAK Ceramics and Julphar. RAKEZ and Innovation City support dynamic growth across industrial, manufacturing and digital sectors, backed by a future-focused economy validated by ‘A’ range credit ratings since 2008 from Fitch and S&P.
RAK has a multicultural society of 0.4 million people from 150 countries, offering a high quality of life, accessible luxury living and a serene coastal lifestyle, with bold hospitality projects led by signature luxury global brands, such as Wynn, Four Seasons, Nobu, Waldorf Astoria and Ritz-Carlton. Projects such as RAK Central will redefine the commercial and residential landscape, while its natural beauty (UAE’s highest mountain, beaches and deserts) and rich cultural heritage – dating back 7,000 years – further enhance RAK’s universal appeal.
With year-round sunshine, straightforward business set-up, a competitive cost of living and high quality of life, Ras Al Khaimah offers limitless opportunities.
