He made the statement during a meeting with Shaikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, while briefing him on the progress made in the planning for the UAE national railway network.

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

Dr Nasser added 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 added.

He said that the national rail network was part of the strategic plan of the UAE Government and expected to ease 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 Nasser 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.

Earlier, Shaikh Saud stressed that UAE should have excellent transportation networks and infrastructure in line with the remarkable economic growth currently taking place in the country.

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

The meeting was also attended by Dr Mohamed A. S. Al Mansoori, Director of the Office of Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Yousef Obaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of RAK Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sultan Abu Lailah, Director General of RAK Courts Department, Mohammed Al Khait, Adviser 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.