Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong Discusses Light Rail Transit Project in Paraguay
Key Highlights :
South Korea’s Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong recently visited Paraguay to meet with newly-elected President Santiago Pena Palacios and the head of the country’s senate to discuss a light rail transit project in its capital city, Asuncion. Won, who was sent as a special envoy of President Yoon Suk Yeol to congratulate Pena on his inauguration, asked for the country’s support in building the public transportation system.
The construction of light rail transit in Asuncion is a project that connects the 45-kilometers-long section of suburban Ypacarai to the capital city, with a total project cost of $600 million (802.8 billion won). As a public-private partnership (PPP) project, the Korea Overseas Infrastructure & Urban Development Corporation, the Korea National Railway, Hyundai Engineering, Kyeryong, LS Electric and Hyundai Rotem have all formed a consortium to win the bid.
In September 2021, the ministry signed a memorandum of understanding with its Paraguayan counterpart to cooperate in the light rail transit project. The Paraguayan government introduced a special bill to promote the project, but it was rejected by the National Assembly and is currently pending. During his visit, Won asked Pena for his support in the enactment of a special law to facilitate the smooth implementation of the public transportation project.
Pena expressed his support for the project, saying it will be a symbolic project for modernizing Paraguay’s infrastructure and will also help Korean companies to advance into the Latin American market. He also noted that he hopes the light rail project in Asuncion will be completed within his term so that the people of Paraguay can use it.
The light rail transit project in Asuncion is expected to bring significant economic and social benefits to the Paraguayan people. It will improve the public transportation system in the capital city, reduce traffic congestion, and create jobs. This project also serves as a great opportunity for South Korean companies to expand their presence in the Latin American market.
