Minister Airlangga: The National Railway Industry Overcoming Technology

INDUSTRY.co.id - Madiun - The domestic railway industry has grown and developed both in terms of technology and business capabilities. This is in line with the policy mandated by Government Regulation No. 14 of 2015 on the National Industrial Development Master Plan (RIPIN), in which the transportation equipment industry is designated as one of the mainstay sectors of the future.

"In 2015-2019, we focus on the development of urban railways such as Light Rail Transit (LRT), monorail and Mass Rapid Transport (MRT)," said Minister of Industry Airlangga Hartarto during a working visit with Coordinating Minister for the Ministry of Marine Affairs Luhut B. Pandjaitan at PT Industri Kereta Api Indonesia (INKA), Madiun, Thursday (18/1/2018).

Meanwhile, the period of 2020-2035 will be focused on the development of electric train and magnetic levitation (maglev).

In order to achieve these targets, he added, the government's strategic programs include implementing policies related to the use of domestic products, the development of supporting components, enhancing human resource competence, design and engineering development, and creating regulations to support a conducive business climate .

"Therefore, we express our highest appreciation to the Coordinating Minister for the Ministry of Marine Affairs and other stakeholders, who jointly succeeded the construction of the Jabodebek LRT project," said Minister of Industry.

This is because it has involved the state-owned and private industries are expected to provide benefits for all parties, especially the national railway industry.

Airlangga asserted, it has encouraged PT. INKA to continue the development activities of the small and medium scale components industry so as to produce products of the same standard and can be used in the railway industry.

"This effort is necessary given that the development of small and medium industries is basically our responsibility together and should also be our commitment to move forward together," he said.

Currently, PT. INKA has complete production and assembly facilities, whereas for the production needs of LRT Jabodebek will be prepared two production lines that are expected to meet the target of the first 4 Train Set delivery settlement in March 2019 assuming the contract starts in January 2018.

Regarding the Jabodebek LRT project, according to Airlangga Minister, it becomes an opportunity for the national railway industry to demonstrate its competitiveness in the mastery of technology including in terms of research and innovation of rail-based industry development.

"We expect this momentum to be an opportunity to increase the competence of human resources through vocational and vocational development programs that link and match with the industry." This Steps also needs to involve research institutions and universities, "said Airlangga.