Ras Al Khaimah is to develop its own convention and exhibition centre to rival those of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The US$400 million RAK Convention & Exhibition Centre (RAK CEC) is to be developed by master planners Rakeen and will comprise of 50,000 square metres of rentable area including five exhibition halls. The mixed-use development will also boast three hotels, each with 750 keys, a shopping mall and a green park.

The environment will play a central role in the development, which will use locally sourced materials.

“The RAK Convention & Exhibition Centre will be the finest of its kind in the region, not just a place of function, but also an outstanding architectural masterpiece, designed meticulously, allowing for future expansion,” said Dr. Imad Haffar, chief operating officer, Rakeen.

“We’re very proud to confirm that we are, as with our other projects, building around nature and not on top of it. The entire structure of the RAK CEC will be set directly onto the natural land contours, without any disturbance to the surroundings. We’re keen to retain as much of the original area as possible, thus maintaining the majestic beauty of the sand dunes.”

RAK CEC will be accessible by an entirely new road system linking it to existing urban structures and surroundings.

© meetME