News DeskDubai, UAE – Ras Al Khaimah is the new investment hotspot, promising a 30-50% Return on Investment (RoI), according to Abdulla Al Abdouli, Chief Executive Officer of Marjan. Speaking at a conference organized by the Dubai Chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), Al Abdouli urged investors to seize the opportunities in the emirate’s real estate and hospitality sectors.
The conference, titled “Opportunities Unlimited: Investing in a World of Possibilities,” was held on Sunday to provide ICAI members with insights into investment avenues in the UAE and India.
“Dreams do not come true by dreaming. For making a dream come true, two things are required – Smartness and Boldness. Smartness to understand and gather knowledge, boldness to put into action,” said CA Jai Prakash Agarwal, Chairman of the ICAI Dubai Chapter.
Agarwal also highlighted the growing influence of Indian Chartered Accountants, noting that the Dubai Chapter has reached a record high of over 3,150 members this year, the highest in its 43-year history.
Ras Al Khaimah’s Growth Trajectory
Ras Al Khaimah, the northernmost emirate of the UAE, is experiencing a significant transformation. With a population of 400,000 and a GDP of $14 billion, the emirate is attracting substantial investment across real estate, tourism, and manufacturing.
In the first half of 2025, off-plan property sales reached Dh6 billion with 3,000 units sold, while 550 ready properties valued at Dh646 million changed hands. Rental yields in the emirate remain attractive, averaging 5.6%, with apartments outperforming villas.
Mega-projects are fueling this growth, including the Dh14.3 billion Wynn Al Marjan Island resort, set to open in 2027, and a Dh5 billion investment pipeline from RAK Properties.
High Returns and Future Demand
Al Abdouli emphasized the healthy returns investors are currently receiving. “If investors can’t make at least 30 percent return on investment, then I feel bad,” he stated, adding that current returns range from 30% to 50%.
The CEO projected a population increase of 50-62.5% to 600,000-650,000 by 2032, necessitating the delivery of 45,000 new homes in the next six years.
Tourism is also a key growth driver. With 8,000 hotel keys serving 1 million tourists annually, the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Authority aims to attract 5 million tourists, requiring an additional 8,000 hotel keys. The emirate is also positioning itself as a gaming destination to attract international visitors.
Indian Investment Opportunities
The conference also focused on investment opportunities in India for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). Piyush Jhunjhunwala, Founder and CEO of Stockify, urged investors to consider equity markets, particularly the pre-IPO stage. He highlighted that investing in the National Stock Exchange (NSE) at the pre-IPO stage yielded a 16-fold return.
“The Indian economy clocked 7.6 percent growth in the last quarter, more than double the global economic growth,” Jhunjhunwala noted. He added that India’s young population and increasing consumption will continue to drive economic growth, presenting lucrative investment opportunities.
According to the India Brand Equity Forum (IBEF), India’s gross foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows have reached a significant milestone of $1 trillion since April 2000. FDI equity inflows for FY26 (April-June 2025) surged by 13% to $18.62 billion.
Flows into NRI deposit schemes also saw a substantial increase, surging by 42.8% to $13.33 billion between April and December 2024. The total outstanding NRI deposits stood at $161.8 billion as of December 2024.
The conference featured other experts who provided insights on balanced investment portfolios, mutual funds, asset valuation, and using artificial intelligence for investment decisions.
The ICAI is the world’s second-largest professional body of Chartered Accountants, with over 415,000 members. Its Dubai Chapter, established in 1982, is the largest and most active among its 54 overseas chapters, with over 3,000 members.
