Ras Al Khaimah has taken a major step to simplify industrial approvals with a new partnership between Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) and the Environment Protection and Development Authority (EPDA). The two entities signed an MoU to establish a structured framework for environmental verification and approval in priority sectors, including cement, chemical, and general industries.

The MoU, signed by RAKEZ group CEO Ramy Jallad and EPDA acting director general H.E. Dr Abdulrahman Al Shayeb Al Naqbi, aims to speed up licensing procedures while ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. The framework has been developed in coordination with RAKEZ’s Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Department to align regulatory oversight with operational processes.

Under the new system, industrial companies can expect a faster, more predictable approval process, with clear guidance on expansion or modification requests from the outset. Officials said the initiative would enhance transparency for investors and provide a smoother pathway for project development while safeguarding Ras Al Khaimah’s environment.

“The collaboration reflects our commitment to balancing industrial growth with environmental responsibility,” said Ramy Jallad. “By aligning processes with EPDA, we are creating a more efficient framework that benefits investors while upholding the highest environmental standards.”

H.E. Dr Abdulrahman Al Shayeb Al Naqbi added that the MoU represents a significant step in integrating world-class environmental practices with industrial development. “By establishing clear, time-bound approval frameworks, we are helping investors in the cement, chemical, and industrial sectors while protecting the emirate’s environment,” he said. “This approach ensures that faster business setup and expansion occur with strict compliance and technical oversight, fostering a sustainable and competitive industrial ecosystem.”

The agreement also includes joint initiatives for knowledge sharing, technical alignment, and training between EPDA and RAKEZ’s HSE teams, aimed at improving environmental governance across the emirate’s industrial base.

RAKEZ, home to nearly 40,000 companies, continues to strengthen its ecosystem through partnerships that enhance operational efficiency, regulatory clarity, and long-term sustainability. Industry observers say the new framework could significantly reduce delays in project approvals and reinforce Ras Al Khaimah’s reputation as an investor-friendly hub for sustainable industrial development.

Emerson has been awarded the 2026 Saudi Aramco Local Manufacturers Quality Award, recognising its performance in manufacturing excellence and long-term alignment with Saudi Arabia’s national industrial strategy.

The award was presented during an official ceremony on 29 January 2026 at the Dhahran Plaza Conference Center. The event was hosted by Saudi Aramco and led by its Technical Services executive vice president, Wail A. Al Jaafari, who honoured companies demonstrating high standards in local manufacturing and product quality.

The accolade followed a formal assessment process conducted in coordination with Saudi Aramco’s technical teams. Emerson’s Control and Safety Systems (CSS) division spearheaded the company’s participation in the evaluation and represented the group at the ceremony in Dhahran.

Hussein Zein, vice president of Emerson in Saudi Arabia, said the recognition reflected a long-standing partnership built on trust and technical discipline. He added that Emerson’s emphasis on governance, leadership accountability and in-Kingdom manufacturing supports the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic diversification programme.

The Saudi Aramco Local Manufacturers Quality Award is presented to organisations that achieve high performance across technical, operational and quality benchmarks, in line with the In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) programme. IKTVA is designed to increase local content, strengthen domestic supply chains and foster sustainable industrial growth within the Kingdom.

Emerson has expanded its footprint in Saudi Arabia steadily over the past 16 years. Key milestones include the opening of facilities in Jubail, Dammam and Dhahran, as well as the launch of a major manufacturing hub at King Salman Energy Park (SPARK) in 2024. The SPARK development has been positioned as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s strategy to localise energy sector manufacturing and services.

The company’s growing presence in the Kingdom aligns with national efforts to enhance industrial capabilities, reduce reliance on imports and generate skilled employment opportunities for Saudi nationals. By increasing local production of automation and control systems, Emerson is contributing to the resilience and competitiveness of the country’s energy and industrial sectors.

Industry observers note that such awards play a role in encouraging international suppliers to deepen their in-country commitments, particularly as Saudi Arabia accelerates reforms aimed at strengthening its non-oil economy.

For Emerson, the recognition underscores its strategy of combining global technical expertise with local manufacturing capacity, reinforcing its position as a long-term partner to Saudi Arabia’s energy and industrial transformation.

Signing ceremony with TMIC and SMS group in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Image source: SMS Group)

Tahweel Metal Industry Company (TMIC) has signed a contract with SMS group for the engineering, manufacturing and delivery of a six-high aluminium cold rolling mill to produce high-quality aluminium strips. The facility will serve as the centrepiece of an integrated aluminium foil complex to be developed in Dammam Third Industrial City (Modon-III) on the Arabian Gulf.

TMIC’s parent company, Tahweel Holding, is a leading supplier of material solutions across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Through this investment, TMIC is advancing its expansion into the flexible packaging sector, with a particular focus on aluminium foil rolling.

The new six-roll stand is designed to process strips up to 2,200 millimetres wide and eight millimetres thick, reducing them to a final thickness of 0.15 millimetres. The majority of output will be converted into aluminium foil for food and pharmaceutical packaging, as well as other industrial applications.

According to the companies, the cold rolling mill will deliver consistently high product quality by combining precise thickness control, flexible rolling capabilities and energy-efficient operations. The plant will also incorporate advanced automation systems and robust engineering to ensure long-term production reliability and operational efficiency.

TMIC cited SMS group’s technical expertise and decades of experience in rolling mill technology as key factors in the partnership. The company said the collaboration will provide the flexibility, reliability and future-ready solutions required to support its growth ambitions in the aluminium and packaging markets.

The official announcement of the contract was made in Riyadh in the presence of senior government officials and company representatives. The investment aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the Kingdom’s economy by promoting industrial innovation, localising production and encouraging the sustainable use of resources.

SMS group described its role in the project as that of a long-term technology partner, supporting the development of advanced manufacturing capabilities in the Kingdom. The project is expected to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position in the regional aluminium value chain while meeting rising demand for high-quality foil products across the food, pharmaceutical and industrial sectors.

EMSTEEL Group, one of the region’s largest publicly traded integrated steel and building materials manufacturers, has signed a new long-term freight agreement with Oldendorff Carriers covering the import of key raw materials to the UAE.

Under the renewed five-year agreement, Oldendorff Carriers will continue to provide dedicated bulk shipping services for EMSTEEL’s raw material imports, ensuring safe, reliable and efficient maritime logistics. The contract, with a total indicative value of approximately AED 600 million over its term, reflects the scale and strategic importance of the partnership.

The agreement builds on more than 20 years of collaboration between the two companies, a relationship that has supported EMSTEEL’s industrial expansion and strengthened the resilience of its supply chain. As part of the arrangement, Oldendorff Carriers will manage the transportation of approximately 5.2 million tonnes of iron ore pellets annually from multiple global sources. The shipments represent a critical logistical link between EMSTEEL and its suppliers, enabling seamless coordination, dependable deliveries and close supply chain integration.

Eng. Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group CEO of EMSTEEL, said the agreement reinforces the company’s commitment to working with trusted partners. “This long-term agreement with Oldendorff Carriers reaffirms our focus on reliability, operational excellence and performance. It ensures the steady and efficient flow of raw materials required to produce the steel that underpins regional infrastructure, industrial development and sustainable growth,” he said.

Patrick Hutchins, CEO of Oldendorff Carriers, highlighted the strength of the long-standing relationship between the two organisations. “We are proud to continue our partnership with EMSTEEL. Over the years, our collaboration has been built on trust, transparency and shared objectives. We look forward to further strengthening this cooperation in the years ahead,” he said.

The renewed agreement underscores the shared commitment of both companies to long-term collaboration, operational reliability and mutual growth. By securing stable raw material transport capacity, EMSTEEL aims to maintain production continuity and support the ongoing development of the UAE’s industrial and construction sectors.