UAE: Smoke and mirrors as court cases leave Ras Al-Khaimah with unfinished business

Ras Al-Khaimah (RAK) remains bound up in a range of US and UK court cases related to past business dealings, undermining the hopes of Ruler Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al-Qassimi of taking the northern emirate towards a period of more stable governance and greater prosperity by exploiting its potential for tourism and other ventures. Sheikh Saud has sought to improve RAK’s reputation by promoting improved governance initiatives, including beefing up the due diligence efforts of the Ras Al-Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority (RAKFTZA) by retaining a major international law firm.