Indonesia Eyes China, S. Korea, as New Partner for New Train Projects

Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi is set to engage in discussions surrounding collaborative efforts to develop new railway projects during his visit to South Korea and China from Jan 9 to Jan 13. The two projects slated for collaboration with these two nations are the Light Rail Transit (LRT) in Bali and the Autonomous Rail Transit (ART) in the Nusantara National Capital City (IKN Nusantara). "High-tech railway communication and signaling networks will also be explored, along with the potential for collaboration in the realm of commercial aircraft," he stated on Jan 8.

Budi said he would meet with the executives of Korea National Railway (KNR) and Eximbank to discuss continuing the joint development of LRT in Bali for Phase 1 from Ngurah Rai Airport to Central Park. "We are hopeful that the feasibility study, which commenced in early January 2023, will be concluded by mid-2024," he said. In China, Budi will meet with Transportation Minister Li Xiaopeng and China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) executives. This meeting specifically discusses the progress of collaboration in developing non-track mass transportation railways in IKN Nusantara.