Abu Dhabi plans to build a transport network including a new airport and railway system to connect its western region with neighbouring emirates and stimulate the area's economy, officials said on Sunday.

A masterplan, to be ready by early 2009 at the latest, would outline details of the transport network and the investments to be made, Mohamed Hareb Al-Yousef, assistant undersecretary of Aviation at Abu Dhabi's Department of Transport said.

In 2005, the Abu Dhabi government set up the Western Region Development Committee (WRDC) aimed at developing the region economically and socially.

The region covers 70 percent of the United Arab Emirates and almost 85 percent of Abu Dhabi emirate, according to the committee.

The region was home to about 10 percent of Abu Dhabi's population and generated 34 percent of the emirate's gross domestic product in 2005.

"The masterplan includes plans to have another airport in Abu Dhabi's western region," Yousef said. "The Abu Dhabi Airports Company will take steps to build the airport," he told reporters after unveiling a five-year plan for the region.

Abu Dhabi has an airport in the capital and another in Al-Ain, the United Arab Emirates' fourth-largest city.

Mott Mcdonald and Steer Davies Gleave are the consultants for the masterplan, he said.

"Once the studies are ready by end 2008 or early 2009, we will identify the areas of growth and further plan the railway network," he said. "Our aim is to be connected to Dubai and other suburbs in the UAE." - Reuters