The Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce and Industry has reported a vibrant economic performance in the first quarter of 2026, with 552 new businesses registered. This trend indicates the emirate’s ongoing appeal as a diverse and flexible investment destination, bolstered by expansions across commercial, industrial, and service sectors, alongside a significant increase in foreign investments. January witnessed the highest rate of new license issuances, totaling 211, while 4,801 licenses were renewed during the same period, highlighting the stability of the business environment and the continuity of economic activities within the emirate.
Dr. Ahmed Al Shamsi, the Acting Director General of the Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, remarked that the data reflects a clear dynamism in business establishment activities and diversity in legal structures and economic sectors, enhancing the emirate’s competitiveness both locally and internationally. He added: “The statistics reveal a distribution of the new establishments across membership tiers based on capital, with Tier 3 accounting for the largest share at 35%, comprising 194 establishments. Tier 2 followed closely at 33% with 184 establishments, while Tier 1 recorded 77 establishments (14%), Tier Special had 40 establishments (7%), Tier Excellent included 31 establishments (6%), and Tier 4 registered 26 establishments (5%).”
In terms of legal structure, “Citizen Service Agents” led the list, representing 27.5% with 152 memberships. This was followed by sole proprietorships with 101 establishments (18.3%), single-member limited liability companies with 98 establishments (17.8%), and limited liability companies with 88 establishments (15.9%). Moreover, civil business companies recorded 65 establishments (11.8%), free zone limited liability companies had 38 establishments (6.9%), and there were also 3 public joint-stock companies and 3 branches in free zones, alongside a small number of other legal forms such as partnerships and branches of local, Gulf, and foreign companies.
Al Shamsi noted: “The data indicates that the new establishments are spread across 17 economic sectors, with the wholesale and retail trade and vehicle repair sector holding the largest share at 353 establishments. The construction sector followed with 185 establishments, while the accommodation and food services sector recorded 115 establishments, and other services activities accounted for 95 establishments. Additionally, 60 establishments were registered in the administrative and support services sector, and 45 in manufacturing.”
Sectors such as professional and scientific activities, transport and storage, real estate activities, arts and entertainment, along with health and agriculture, contributed variably, while finance, education, telecommunications, mining, and water sectors had a more limited presence.
In terms of economic fields, the professional sector comprised 46.7% of the new memberships with 258 establishments, followed closely by the commercial sector at 45.8% with 253 establishments. The industrial sector recorded 27 establishments (4.9%), the tourism sector had 8 establishments (1.5%), the service sector included 4 establishments (0.7%), and there were two agricultural establishments.
Al Shamsi stated: “The estimated capital for the new investments reached approximately 366 million dirhams, excluding the capital of 68 establishments in free zones and 42 branches of local and foreign companies. The workforce associated with these establishments is estimated to create 951 new jobs during the same period.”
He further added: “The statistics indicate a broad diversity in the nationalities of investors, with the new investments spanning 55 nationalities. India topped the list with 128 establishments, followed by Bangladesh with 66 establishments, Pakistan with 54, Egypt with 32, and Syria with 22 establishments, alongside other nationalities including Jordan, China, and Ethiopia.”
In total, 828 new investors were recorded in the first quarter, reflecting the ongoing influx of foreign capital and the global business community’s confidence in the investment climate of Ras Al Khaimah.