Sheikh Saud is a visionary leader

His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, is the fourth son of the late Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi.

Sheikh Saud was born in Ras Al Khaimah on February 10, 1956. Growing up with his parents, he completed both his primary and secondary education in Ras Al Khaimah, before studying at Michigan State University in the United States, where he gained a bachelor's degree in Economics and Political Science.

Returning to Ras Al Khaimah in 1979, he was appointed to a number of Government posts, including that of Chief of the Ruler's Court.

He also became Chairman of the Ras Al Khaimah Municipal Council in 1986. Taking an interest in economic development, he became chairman of a number of local companies, setting up Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries (Julphar), one of the largest Arab manufacturers of medicines, and the RAK Ceramics Company, which exports to more than 125 countries. He also supported and promoted the growth of the Ras Al Khaimah Poultry and Foodstuffs Company, which meets a high proportion of local demand.

On 14 June, 2003, Emiri Decree No10 for the year 2003 appointed Sheikh Saud as the Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler.

Sheikh Saud is married to Sheikha Hana bint Juma Al Majid. They have six children, Sheikh Mohammed, Sheikha Amna, Sheikh Ahmed, Sheikh Khalid, Sheikh Saqr and Sheikha Mahra.

Sheikh Saud has a vision of economic openness and seeks to build a strong diversified economy by attracting investment and development resources to improve the standard living for all residents of the emirate.

Taking advantage of the geographical location of the emirate, he seeks to encourage investors to establish agricultural and industrial projects and has devoted considerable attention to the development of the local road and transport sector.

Sheikh Saud also places great emphasis on tourism and real estate projects, while taking care to protect the environment.

He believes that the e-government project is essential as a way of creating a modern link with the rest of the world and that this has an important role to play in attracting inward investment into the emirate.

A believer in a free market economy for the UAE as a whole, and for Ras Al Khaimah, he is a firm supporter of innovation and fair competition as a way towards development.

The Government of Ras Al Khaimah, therefore, provides all necessary facilities for investors, with flexible, simple and transparent licencing procedures.

With an increasing number of tourists visiting the country from all over the worlds, Sheikh Saud is keen to develop this industry.

"The policy of the Government of Ras Al Khaimah focuses on development of the vital industrial sector, together with the tourism sector, with a special emphasis on manufacturing industries that support the construction sector like the ceramic and cement," Sheikh Saud has said.

With his far-sighted vision, Sheikh Saud recognised early on that the aviation sector was not only a complement to the expansion of tourism but would also prove to be a key contributor to the process of comprehensive development. He has, therefore, given instructions for the expansion of the emirate's airport and for the establishment of RAK Airways. Beyond his interest in the local economy, Sheikh Saud plays a leading role in the business and finance community in the Arab World.

Education also plays a key role in Sheikh Saud's thinking. He has instituted a series of awards to recognise outstanding teachers, administrators and students in the school community and set up the Ras Al Khaimah Private Model School to provide premium, high quality learning to both Emirati and expatriate students, on a par with that offered in advanced countries.

An ardent believer in the right to education for all, Sheikh Saud has ordered the opening of evening schools to welcome would-be non-Emirati and stateless students, to help these groups to educate their children.

Sheikh Saud has made determined efforts to provide basic services to remote residential centres, such as roads, schools and hospitals and has built mosques, and schools to serve these communities at his own expense.

He has also provided funds for maintaining houses of low-income citizens. As a prominent cultural figure, Sheikh Saud has a deep passion for reading and following the latest developments at the world scene. His foremost dream is to make Ras Al Khaimah an e-driven emirate.

The new ruler of Ras Al Khaimah commands profound respect from the ruling families and political and diplomatic circles in the UAE.

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