Our tourism is great, but we need improvement through infrastructure support, especially a proper mode of transportation
Denpasar, Bali (ANTARA) - National Development Planning Minister and Head of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), Suharso Monoarfa, advised Bali to consider using a domestic loan for the Light Rail Transit (LRT) development.

Monoarfa conveyed the suggestion to Head of the Bali Provincial Transportation Office, IGW Samsi Gunarta, and Acting Governor of Bali, Sang Made Mahendra, during their meeting to discuss the LRT construction here on Wednesday.

"Given the urgency, Minister Monoarfa encourages funding in the form of a domestic loan in order to show the government's presence in this project," Gunarta remarked.

This domestic loan can be utilized to build LRT infrastructure, such as tunnels, tracks, stations, depots, and other physical infrastructure.

The Bali-Kerthi Development Fund (BDF), which was recently launched, can be a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to manage non-government funding sources used for financing Bali's development projects, including the LRT.

"We were asked to start preparing a timeline for the groundbreaking that is scheduled in the first semester of 2024," he remarked.

He emphasized that the provincial government should accelerate preparations for the project, as the central government has started to take over.

"They even offered alternatives for Bali to develop and operate the LRT," he remarked.

Gunardi said that the meeting with Minister Monoarfa aimed to seek further financing to ensure the sustainability of the LRT operation later.

The LRT is planned to be integrated with the airport, thereby providing a more efficient mode of transportation for airport passengers and reducing traffic congestion.

"The most important thing is to deal with congestion and ensure that Bali tourism services will be at the next level from today. Our tourism is great, but we need improvement through infrastructure support, especially a proper mode of transportation," he remarked.

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Translator: Muliantari, Kenzu
Editor: Sri Haryati
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