Ras Al Khaimah will focus on developing tourism and industry, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, the newly-appointed Crown Prince, said yesterday. He expressed profound gratitude to President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan for his support. He also thanked Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, for the trust placed in him according to a report in Gulf News.

In an interview with the daily, his first since being named Crown Prince, Sheikh Saud asserted that Ras Al Khaimah will chart its future with the accent on developing its strengths in tourism, while upgrading its industry. Ras Al Khaimah will try to complement the tourism industry of Dubai and the other emirates, he said. He said Ras Al Khaimah has a unique geographical position and tourist features. It comprises mountains, desert and beautiful beaches, and the government will capitalise on these.

Through Dubai`s experience, we realise tourism is an industry that is particularly suited to this region and we will try to develop our capability by cooperating with our brothers in all the emirates, including Dubai, he said. Ras Al Khaimah will also focus on developing infrastructure to attract investment, and prepare the way to open up to new ideas, Sheikh Saud added. We will train our employees to help investors and cut red tape. We will look into the development of our rules and regulations whenever needed. But sometimes, more rules are not necessary, instead fewer to cut down bureaucracy. Here, we will train our officials in the various government departments to facilitate an investor-friendly atmosphere, he said.