Infrastructure is one of the main pillars in the UAE’s development achievements and it has been extremely well developed to ensure accelerated growth and help in spearheading the UAE Vision 2021, said a report.

The UAE is home to world-class facilities that have supported economic growth and enabled the development of business. It is a cornerstone in promoting the country’s stature worldwide, stated the Emirates News Agency Wam in its report on the occasion of the 45th National Day.

Far-reaching urban planning initiatives such as Abu Dhabi’s emirate-wide Vision 2030, and the Dubai Urban Development Master Plan 2020 are instrumental in achieving the UAE's goal.

Abu Dhabi continues to develop the infrastructure required for a sophisticated capital city and many new projects in Dubai are driven by its hosting of the World Expo in 2020. A total of Dh30 billion ($8.16 billion) will be spent on infrastructure at the Expo site and in the city, ultimately benefitting generations to come.

The UAE has the most advanced and developed infrastructure in the region. From roads to airports to telecommunications, the UAE is home to world class facilities that have supported economic growth and enabled the development of business, stated the report.

The year 2016 was a great example of how the country is managing to make these goals a reality, witnessing the unveiling of many major development projects, it added.

In May, it was announced that the UAE ranked among the Top 5 of the Nabarro Infrastructure Index, which rates 25 countries across the world in terms of investment attractiveness. The latest index followed the Infrastructure Index 2012, when the UAE was ranked at 12th spot.

The new index rated the UAE as a more attractive investment location than European powerhouses France and Germany. Only the UK, Canada, US and Australia are more highly rated, said the report.

Some of the major development projects that were launched in the UAE this year included the recently opened Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway; Dubai Canal Project, an extension of Deira Creek, linking Business Bay to the Arabian Gulf; the first 3D-printed office building of its kind in the world in Dubai and the Nareel Island mixed-use project, spread over two connected islands comprising 148 villa plots in the Al Bateen area of Abu Dhabi.

The year also witnessed the awarding of a Dh10.6 billion ($2.88 billion) contract for the Route 2020 project by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to a consortium of French, Spanish and Turkish firms.

Official operation of the service will begin on May 20, 2020, five months before the official opening of the Expo. As part of the project, 50 trains will be purchased with 15 for the Expo service and 35 to upgrade the metro system, said the report.

In April, the Dubai Municipality had unveiled a number of new projects, including a new convention centre with 7,000-seat capacity, an industrial city, a network of sewage tunnels and a 100-hectare Safari Golf project. The projects seek to make Dubai a green and fully sustainable city by 2021.

In July, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec), announced the completion of another milestone in the development of the country’s first nuclear energy plant, with the successful installation of its Unit 3 Reactor Vessel (RV) at Barakah.

The emirate of Sharjah is implementing a number of development projects, including Al Jubail Marina Market, Sharjah International Airport, bridges and roads, exhibition and conference venues, and Sharjah Mosque projects, said the report.

The neighbouring emirate Ras Al Khaimah is building its first camel underpass, on the fast and busy Al Shuhada road which connects the emirate with Fujairah.