Jakarta. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is exploring investment in a railway project in Bali, according to Emirati Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazroui. 

Shortly after an economic-focused forum in Jakarta, Al Mazroui revealed that Etihad Rail -- the developer and operator of the UAE’s national railway network -- is currently exploring the possibility of a railway project in the tourist haven. However, the minister did not talk much about the project, saying that there is a long process that Etihad Rail’s investment has to go through before it can materialize.

“We [the UAE] are looking at several investments, among them, the railway project in Bali. Those investments, they go through the cycle from signing the memorandum of understanding [MoU], getting the data, looking at it, getting the proposals and discussions,” Al Mazroui told reporters on Thursday.

“Among the companies here was Etihad Rail, and they are looking at the project. … Once we have something, we will show it,” Al Mazroui said.

The minister was attending a closed-door roundtable discussion that brought together Indonesian and Emirati companies. Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Pahala Mansury talked about the Bali railway project during the opening session which was open for media coverage. 

“We look forward to the follow-up and the materialization of the UAE’s investment for the development of railways in Bali,” Pahala said at the forum.

Government data shows UAE has invested $61.8 million in Indonesia during January-September 2023. The UAE was the 25th largest foreign investor in Indonesia over the said period, just behind Russia ($78.2 million).