Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) and the Environment Protection and Development Authority (EPDA) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a structured, transparent, and time-bound approval framework for new industrial activities across priority sectors in the emirate.
The agreement, signed by Ramy Jallad, Group CEO of RAKEZ, and HE Dr. Abdulrahman Al Shayeb Al Naqbi, Acting Director General of EPDA, establishes a streamlined verification and environmental approval process covering the cement, chemical, and broader industrial sectors.
Developed in close coordination with RAKEZ’s Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Department, the framework is designed to ensure seamless alignment between regulatory oversight and operational requirements.
The collaboration aims to enhance regulatory clarity, accelerate licensing timelines, and ensure full compliance with environmental standards while supporting sustainable industrial expansion in Ras Al Khaimah.
Under the new system, industrial companies will benefit from faster environmental approvals and clearer guidance on compliance requirements from the outset, including expansion and modification requests.
Beyond procedural efficiencies, the partnership also promotes knowledge sharing, technical alignment, and joint training initiatives between EPDA and RAKEZ’s HSE teams. This integrated approach is intended to strengthen environmental governance and embed best practices across the emirate’s industrial ecosystem.
Dr. Abdulrahman Al Shayeb Al Naqbi Acting Director General EPDA
“This Memorandum of Understanding with RAKEZ represents a significant step forward in our shared vision of integrating world-class environmental stewardship with streamlined industrial development. By establishing clear, time-bound approval frameworks, we are not only enhancing regulatory clarity for investors in the cement, chemical, and industrial sectors but also reinforcing our commitment to protecting Ras Al Khaimah’s environment. This collaboration ensures that as we facilitate faster business setup and expansion, we do so with the highest standards of compliance and technical oversight, ultimately fostering a sustainable and competitive industrial ecosystem for the emirate.”
Ramy Jallad stated that, “This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to balancing industrial growth with environmental responsibility. By aligning processes and enhancing coordination with EPDA, we are creating a more predictable and efficient framework that benefits investors while upholding the highest environmental standards.”
