Khaled AlShehhi Appointed Secretary General of Ras Al Khaimah's Executive Council

• 2026 — Key year
• 11 — Volume / scale

Ras Al Khaimah's Ruler, His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, has issued an Emiri decree appointing Khaled AlShehhi as Secretary General of the Executive Council, the emirate's highest executive authority. The appointment was announced on 11 October 2026 through official channels and reported by Campaign Middle East. AlShehhi succeeds in a role that coordinates the work of the Council's various committees, oversees the implementation of strategic policies, and serves as the primary liaison between the Ruler's office and government departments.

AlShehhi brings extensive experience in federal and local government operations. Prior to this appointment, he served as Director General of the RAK Government's Department of Government Relations, where he managed intergovernmental coordination and supported the emirate's legislative agenda. His career includes senior positions in the UAE Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and the Prime Minister's Office, giving him deep insight into the federal governance model that RAK's Executive Council mirrors.

The Executive Council, chaired by the Crown Prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi, is responsible for proposing local laws, approving the emirate's annual budget, and monitoring the performance of government entities against the RAK Vision 2030 targets. Those targets include growing non-oil GDP to AED 120 billion, attracting AED 50 billion in foreign direct investment, and increasing the private sector's share of the economy to 70 per cent by 2030. AlShehhi's appointment comes as the Council prepares its 2027-2030 strategic cycle, which will focus on advanced manufacturing, logistics, tourism, and the newly regulated gaming sector centred on Al Marjan Island.

In a statement carried by the RAK Government Media Office, Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi welcomed the appointment, noting that "Khaled's track record in driving cross-entity collaboration will be vital as we accelerate the delivery of Vision 2030 projects." AlShehhi himself said he was "honoured to serve the leadership and people of Ras Al Khaimah at a pivotal moment in the emirate's development."

The Executive Council's secretariat has historically been a springboard for wider leadership roles in the emirate. Previous secretaries general have gone on to chair major entities such as RAK Economic Zone (RAKEZ), RAK Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), and RAK Properties. The position also sits on the board of the RAK Sovereign Wealth Fund, established in 2023 to manage the emirate's investment portfolio.

For investors and businesses, the appointment reinforces the stability of RAK's policy environment. The Executive Council's decisions directly affect licensing regimes, land allocation, utility tariffs, and the regulatory sandbox frameworks that govern emerging sectors like fintech, virtual assets, and advanced air mobility. A seasoned administrator in the secretary general role suggests that policy implementation timelines — often a pain point for foreign investors — may become more predictable.

Residents will see the impact through continued rollout of digital government services, infrastructure projects such as the Al Shaghour Bridge and the RAK Ring Road, and the expansion of healthcare and education capacity. The Council's social development committee, which AlShehhi will oversee, is currently finalising a new housing grant programme for Emirati families, expected to launch in Q1 2027.

In the broader UAE context, RAK's Executive Council operates with a degree of autonomy under the federal constitution, allowing the emirate to tailor regulations to its competitive advantages — notably lower operating costs, industrial land availability, and a growing reputation as a testbed for innovative mobility and Web3 applications. AlShehhi's federal experience is seen as an asset in maintaining alignment with federal priorities while preserving that regulatory agility.