The UAE should have excellent transportation networks and infrastructure in line with the remarkable economic growth currently taking place in the country, said Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ras Al Khaimah crown prince and deputy ruler.

Sheikh Saud said this during a meeting with Dr Nasser Saif Al Mansouri, director general of the National Transport Authority (NTA), who called on him at the Ruler’s Court.

Dr Al Mansouri later briefed Sheikh Saud on the progress made in the planning for the UAE national railway network.

“An integrated and reliable transportation network across the country would greatly help in reducing congestion and increase productivity and economic growth of the country,” RAK crown prince observed.

Dr Al Mansouri said the planning process for the UAE railway network was progressing well and was in the final stages.

“We are right now in the final stages of planning and need to provide an alignment for the UAE national network,” he said and added that the UAE national rail network would run from the country’s border with Saudi Arabia and would cover all the emirates.

He also said that the national rail alignment plan would be submitted for discussions at the GCC level as part of efforts for having a GCC-wide railway network.

“The meeting of the transportation Ministers, scheduled to be held in Riyadh in June, would discuss the alignment plans for the Gulf region,' he noted.

Dr Al Mansouri said that the national rail network was part of the strategic plan of the UAE Government to ease traffic congestion and reduce the number of trucks on the roads.

“The number of trucks on UAE roads is increasing fast and it is expected to reach one million by 2015. We need to have efficient transportation network to reduce congestion” he said.

Dr Al Mansori said that the rail network could be used for handling cargo as well as for passenger transport, depending on the management and operation of the network.

The meeting was attended by Dr Mohamed AS Al Mansoori, director of the office of Sheikh Saud, Yousef Obaid Al Nuaimi, chairman of RAK Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sultan Abu Lailah, director general of RAK Courts Department, Mohammed Al Khait, advisor at the Ras Al Khaimah Ruler's Court, Michel Sakkal, director general of RAK Public Works and Services Department, and a number of other officials.-TradeArabia News Service