The UAE federal budget for 2001 has allocated Dh2.547 billion ($694 million) as total expenditure on projects. Of this amount, Dh1.136 billion is for highways, compared with Dh390 million last year.

This big increase is unprecedented in the country, according to Dr. Mohammed Khalfan bin Kharbash, Minister of State for Financial and Industrial Affairs. It includes Dh300 million for Sharjah-Ras Al Khaimah road, Dh350 million for Dubai-Fujairah road, Dh142 million for Adhn-Dibba road and Dh344 million for maintenance and improvement of roads.

He added that Dh1.502 billion was allocated for these projects in this year's budget, including Dh862 million for projects carried out by the Ministry of Public Works and Dh640 for Shaikh Zayed Housing Programme.

The budget for 2001 is estimated at Dh22.633 billion, with a revenue of Dh20.425 billion, showing a deficit of Dh2.238 billion.