The Department of Economic Development (DED) in Ras Al Khaimah has reported a 17.6 percent year-on-year increase in new business licences issued during the first half of 2025.
A total of 1,219 licences were issued in Ras Al Khaimah in H1, compared to 1,037 in the same period last year, reflecting strong economic momentum across the emirate.
The industrial sector led the growth, registering a dramatic 111 percent increase in new licences, followed by professional licences with 20 percent growth, and commercial licences with a 12.6 percent rise.
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Among economic sectors, wholesale and retail trade accounted for the largest share of new licences, making up 44.4 percent of the total. The construction sector followed with 18 percent, while accommodation and food services took third place with 13.2 percent.
The manufacturing sector and other service activities represented 11.1 percent and 8.6 percent, respectively.
The report also highlighted a 7.5 percent increase in total registered capital during the first half of the year. Notably, capital registered under industrial licences surged 7.6 times compared to the first half of 2024. Professional licence capital also saw a significant 24.7 percent increase.
In terms of geographic distribution, the Al Dhait area recorded the highest share of new licences at 8.7 percent, followed by Al Nakheel with 8.4 percent, and both Al Qusaidat and Julphar at 7.7 percent.
When measured by the ratio of new licences to existing active licences in each area, Khalifa bin Zayed City led with 18.9 percent, followed by Dahan at 13.4 percent, and Al Ghail at 9.1 percent.
In terms of attracting new capital, Al Jazirah Al Hamra led all areas, accounting for nearly one-third of the total registered capital of new licences. Al Dhait and Al Ghail followed with 13 percent and 8.5 percent, respectively.
Amina Qahtan, director of the Commercial Affairs Department at the DED, emphasized the figures underscore the emirate’s accelerating economic trajectory.
She credited the sustained growth to the leadership’s strategic vision and a suite of business-friendly policies and incentives designed to attract investment and simplify doing business in Ras Al Khaimah.
