"The NTA is designing a set of transport regulations to safeguard the national interest and increase investor confidence in investing in transport," said Abdullah al-Katheeri, executive director of the NTA, in a speech at MEED's Middle East Road Infrastructure 2009 Conference in Abu Dhabi on 17 May.

"We hope to work with all stakeholders.

"We have already started a national transportation plan that will result in the production of a national transport model for passenger and freight transport," said Al-Katheeri.

"The plan will also show the UAE transport route map required to address our existing transport problems and envision the UAE's transport network of the future."

The plan will identify which government body is responsible for maintaining the roads: the federal government or the transport authorities of the individual emirates.