"Stand up" Wins two awards at the Procurement and Supply Chain Innovation Summit
Ras Al Khaimah, February 12 / WAM / The Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zones Authority (RAKZ) announced that its procurement team won two prominent awards during the fourth session of the Annual Summit for Innovation in Procurement and Supply Chain Technologies in the Middle East 2026.
The procurement team at RAKEZ won the Best Procurement Team of the Year award, while Jonathan Tongo, Head of Procurement Department at RAKEZ, received the Procurement Leader of the Year award, ranking among an elite group of more than 50 of the most prominent procurement leaders in the Middle East region.
The award for Best Procurement Team of the Year came in recognition of RAKEZ’s pioneering role in developing the procurement system through implementing an integrated and comprehensive digital transformation.
The jury praised the team’s success in launching an integrated electronic procurement system, simplifying supplier registration procedures, enhancing supply and contract management processes, in addition to systematically integrating sustainability standards into supplier evaluation. The use of business intelligence tools also contributed to raising levels of transparency, governance, and compliance with environmental, social, and institutional governance standards within various procurement processes.
The award highlighted the pioneering Eco Connect initiative launched by RAKEZ, which brings together customers, suppliers and partners on an interactive platform aimed at enhancing cooperation and innovation in supply chains.
The initiative was implemented over two annual sessions, which provided an opportunity for structured dialogue, exchange of knowledge, and unification of visions around the concepts of sustainability and flexibility, and contributed to consolidating an approach based on building relationships, creating sustainable value, enhancing trust and transparency, and establishing long-term partnerships within the procurement system.
The Procurement Leader of the Year award came in recognition of Jonathan Tongo’s contributions to leading RAKEZ’s procurement sector transformation efforts with a focus on innovation, digital enablement and the practical application of sustainable procurement practices, including his leadership in developing and enhancing the EcoConnect initiative.
Dr. Aleida Helena Schultz, Head of the Finance Sector at RAKEZ, explained that these awards reflect the qualitative progress achieved by the procurement team in enhancing operational efficiency and consolidating the principles of corporate governance.
Through comprehensive digital transformation, evolving supplier management, and integrating sustainability standards into the core of operations, the team has succeeded in building an advanced procurement framework that is efficient and future-ready, and Jonathan’s individual recognition exemplifies the leadership and discipline that formed the foundation of this transformation.
Rami Jallad, CEO of RAKEZ Group, stressed that this achievement reflects RAKEZ’s commitment to establishing a culture of excellence and innovation in its various departments and functions, noting that effective procurement practices constitute an essential foundation for building flexible and sustainable partnerships and enhancing long-term value for investors. He expressed his pride that the team’s efforts had received regional recognition that reflects their tangible impact.
This honor strengthens RAKEZ’s position as a leading institution in adopting the best global practices in procurement, and confirms the increasing role of this sector in supporting the Authority’s broader goals of achieving sustainable economic development.
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