Having set its sights on economic diversification, Dubai has rapidly established itself as a Middle Eastern hub for R&D, with a particular focus on life sciences.

Ras Al Khaimah has natural attractions in abundance but has largely struggled to persuade tourists in the UAE to look beyond Dubai. However, as its visitor numbers increase and a new airport is being developed, the emirate could well be challenging its better-known regional rivals in the not-too-distant future

The hotels and tourism sector has been hit hard by the global financial crisis but, finds Michal Kaczmarski, some companies are still expanding, with opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region proving particularly enticing.

Which industrial parks are set to shine the brightest, and why? Karen E Thuermer surveys the assets of industrially focused areas within free zones around the world and explains why they are ones to watch.

Natural resources, namely oil, have fuelled Middle Eastern economies for the past few decades, but the region's location at a meeting point between East and West also gives it a distinct advantage in the logistics field, something many of its countries are cashing in on.

The ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasami, has witnessed the rapid development of his emirate, as well as the UAE at large, in spite of global economic pressures and regional unrest. He tells Courtney Fingar how creating a business-friendly environment for local and foreign companies, and ensuring the people of the emirate play a full part in its success, are key priorities for him.