Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi and South Korean Deputy Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, Sang-woo Park, discussed the completion of a feasibility study (FS) and financing for the development of Light Rail Transit (LRT) in Bali.

At the meeting that took place at the Korea Territorial Development Museum, Seoul, on Tuesday (January 9, 2024), Sumadi informed that the Indonesian government's commitment to developing urban mass transportation is aimed at overcoming congestion in several regions in Indonesia, including Bali.

"We will focus on starting the Phase 1 construction of the Bali LRT, namely from Ngurah Rai Airport to Central Park," he said in a statement released by the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation on Wednesday.

The government, he said, has invited South Korea to collaborate in building the first rail-based mass transportation project in Bali.

The feasibility study (FS) on the project is being carried out by Korea National Railway (KNR) with grant funding from Korea Eximbank.

"The FS started in January 2023, and we are targeting the study to be completed by April 2024," he added.

The minister expressed the hope that with the good experience and reputation that KNR has as a railway company in South Korea, it can support efforts to complete the study within the deadline.

"FS is not an easy thing to do because there are many aspects that need to be considered, such as technical, financial, and institutional. Nevertheless, we believe we can complete the FS well," he added.

Regarding the financing, Sumadi said that the government is continuing to discuss several schemes, including utilizing Official Development Assistance (ODA) Loan and through Public Private Partnership (PPP).

In the air transportation sector, he invited South Korea to increase the frequency of direct flights to Indonesia, especially to Batam and Bali.

During his visit to South Korea, Minister Sumadi also met with the CEO of KNR, Hanyoung Kim, and the CEO of Korea Eximbank, Hee-Seung Yoon.

Source:

by ANTARA news

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