KHAIMAH - Ras Al-Khaimah Investment Authority (RAKIA), the government body responsible for the socioeconomic growth of the emirate, has announced that it has recently signed a partnership with Becker Industrie, Europe's leading supplier of coil coatings and the second largest manufacturer in the world, to establish a new manufacturing facility for industrial coatings and paints within the industrial zone. The new coatings factory will cater to the coil, metal and plastic coatings segments, providing an extensive range of coil coatings and special coatings to strategic markets such as consumer electronics firms, mobile phone manufacturers, agricultural and construction equipment (ACE), transportation and automotive, among others. “RAKIA is pleased to form this partnership with Becker Industrie as this will help solidify Ras Al- Khaimah's reputation as a highly conducive investment destination for leading global corporations. In addition, this will open new business opportunities for Ras Al-Khaimah, as Becker Industrie's coatings factory will naturally attract new market players and customers into the emirate because of its status as one of the world's two largest manufacturers of coil coatings,” said Serge H. Guillaume, executive director of RAKIA. “Positioning Becker Industrie's newest venture within Ras Al-Khaimah is likewise an excellent strategic decision that will definitely deliver long-term value to its ultimate goal of strengthening its presence in the Middle East market; Ras Al-Khaimah offers a whole range of advantages, particularly in terms of cost-effectiveness, location, flexibility, investor-friendly economic policies and world-class infrastructure,” added Guillaume. Becker Industrie belongs to the Becker Group owned by AB Wilh. Becker, a Swedish company, with over 140 years experience in the coatings business. The company is now the leading supplier to the European market and is considered the second largest manufacturer of coil coatings in the world with a global market share of 15 percent. The establishment of the international market leader's new coatings facility in Ras Al-Khaimah reflects the growing reputation of the emirate as an important business hotspot in the Middle East, as Becker Industrie joins a prominent list of global organizations that have channeled investments into the emirate. In 2007, RAKIA reported a remarkable 148 per cent growth in new investors in the emirate from diverse sectors such as industrial products, building materials, steel fabrication, plastics and chemicals. RAKIA has been the premier organization in leading government initiatives to diversify the RAK economy. It has also been the government authority responsible for promoting the development of the emirate's Industrial Zone and Free Zone in Al-Hamra, and the Industrial Park in Al-Ghayl. __
