Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah Receives German Ambassador and Consul General

• 2026 — Key year
• 10 — Volume / scale

His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, received His Excellency Alexander Schönfelder, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the UAE, and Consul General in Dubai, Dr. Volker Wolf, at his palace in Ras Al Khaimah on 10 October 2026. The meeting, reported by the UAE's official news agency (WAM) and carried by local outlet Barq Al Emarat, focused on deepening bilateral cooperation across renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, logistics, and cultural exchange.

The German delegation was accompanied by senior officials from the German Emirati Joint Council for Industry and Commerce (AHK). Discussions centred on three concrete workstreams: (1) Green hydrogen and solar energy partnerships, leveraging RAK's solar irradiance and port infrastructure for export-oriented hydrogen production; (2) Advanced manufacturing collaboration, particularly in ceramics, pharmaceuticals, and automotive components — sectors where German technology providers (Siemens, BASF, Bosch) already have a presence in RAKEZ; (3) Logistics corridor development, linking RAK Port and the planned Etihad Rail freight terminal to German-led European supply chain networks via Jebel Ali and Khalifa Port.

Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi emphasised RAK's strategic location as a gateway between Europe, Asia, and Africa, and highlighted the emirate's competitive advantages: industrial land at 30-40 per cent lower cost than Dubai, a streamlined licensing regime through RAKEZ and RAK ICC, and a growing talent pipeline from the RAK campuses of the University of Stirling, the University of Bolton, and the newly established German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech) RAK branch.

Ambassador Schönfelder noted that Germany is the UAE's largest European trading partner, with bilateral non-oil trade reaching EUR 9.2 billion in 2025. He identified RAK as a priority emirate for German Mittelstand (mid-sized) companies seeking a Gulf base, citing the recent establishment of a German Business Park within RAKEZ — a 50-hectare zone with plug-and-play facilities for 50-100 German SMEs, launched in March 2026 with support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.

The Consul General, Dr. Wolf, announced that the German Consulate General in Dubai will assign a dedicated trade commissioner to RAK starting January 2027, based at the RAKEZ Business Centre, to provide on-the-ground support for German companies navigating setup, visas, and regulatory approvals. This follows a similar model deployed in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

Cultural cooperation was also on the agenda. The Ruler and the Ambassador discussed a joint programme for the 50th anniversary of UAE-Germany diplomatic relations in 2027, including a German cultural festival at Al Qasimi Palace (following its restoration), academic exchanges between RAK universities and German technical universities (TU Munich, RWTH Aachen), and a travelling exhibition on the shared maritime history of the Gulf and the Hanseatic League.

For businesses, the meeting signals continued German industrial interest in RAK. German FDI stock in RAK reached AED 3.4 billion in 2025, a 27 per cent increase from 2023, concentrated in manufacturing (45 per cent), renewable energy (30 per cent), and logistics (15 per cent). The dedicated trade commissioner and the German Business Park lower the entry barrier for SMEs that lack the resources for independent market entry.

The engagement also reflects RAK's broader diplomatic strategy: cultivating bilateral relationships that translate into tangible investment and technology transfer, rather than symbolic agreements. Recent similar high-level visits include the Japanese Ambassador (June 2026, focusing on hydrogen and automotive), the Indian Minister of Commerce (August 2026, focusing on pharmaceuticals and food processing), and the UK Trade Envoy (September 2026, focusing on fintech and education).

Residents benefit indirectly through job creation in high-value sectors, technology spillovers (German vocational training models are being adapted for RAK's technical colleges), and enhanced cultural amenities. The 2027 cultural festival at Al Qasimi Palace, for instance, will be open to the public and expected to draw 50,000 visitors over its two-week run.