Abu dhabi: RAK Ports and Jianhua Holdings Group, in collaboration with PHC Technologies, have announced the launch of a new AED120 million Prestressed High Strength Concrete (PHC) Piles facility at RAK Maritime City Free Zone. This development was marked by the presence of H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in September 2024. This marks Jianhua's official entry into the UAE market and the commencement of construction on the region's first PHC Piles Factory.
According to Emirates News Agency, H.H. Sheikh Saud emphasized that the agreement strengthens the partnership and cooperation between Ras Al Khaimah and Chinese provinces, reinforcing the emirate's position as a leading industrial and commercial hub in the region. He highlighted the collaboration as an optimal integration of Chinese expertise with the UAE's advanced industrial and investment ecosystem, aligning with the nation's future development goals.
H.H. Sheikh Saud further noted that this agreement represents a strategic advancement in Ras Al Khaimah's development journey, fostering new opportunities, knowledge exchange, and sustainable industrial growth. The partnership marks a new chapter in the relationship between Ras Al Khaimah and Guangdong Province, expanding the scope of collaboration across various sectors including transport, education, and industry.
The project is a significant milestone in Ras Al Khaimah's industrial growth strategy, supported by RAK Ports' greenfield port development, which aims to enhance export capabilities for heavy and oversized industrial products. The agreement, signed by Wang Guihua, Chairman of Jianhua Holdings Group, and Roy Cummins, CEO of RAK Ports, will leverage Saqr 2.0's deep-water berths and integrated logistics infrastructure to serve regional and international markets efficiently.
The new facility, in partnership with PHC Technologies, will focus on producing and exporting large-diameter prestressed concrete piles, meeting the growing demand for sustainable foundation solutions across the GCC. The AED120 million investment is expected to create up to 500 new jobs and generate over AED20 million in annual port revenues. The plant will cover 540,000 sqft of Freezone land, sourcing up to 1 million metric tonnes of raw materials from nearby quarries.
Ras Al Khaimah's established ecosystem of concrete, cement, and limestone quarries, along with its strategic deep-water ports, positions the Emirate as an ideal hub for the precast and construction materials industry. This collaboration solidifies Ras Al Khaimah's status as a preferred destination for advanced manufacturing and sustainable infrastructure development.
The initial MoU with Jianhua Holdings Group from Guangdong Province, China, originated from discussions between the Government of Ras Al Khaimah and Guangdong. This culminated in a partnership agreement in November 2024, proving mutually beneficial across multiple sectors, including education, transport, and cultural exchange.