SINGAPORE (Feb 19): The government is setting up a new Rail Infrastructure Fund to build major MRT lines in the future.

It will inject an initial $5 billion in FY18 into the new fund.

Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat said the initial injection of $5 billion could be topped up in the future when the government's fiscal position allows.

The government is also looking at borrowing by statutory boards and government-owned companies to build infrastructure.

As such, the LTA plans to borrow for the upcoming projects like the KL-Singapore High Speed Rail and the JB-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link.

The Changi Airport Group is also looking at borrowing to build Changi T5.

This story, written for The Edge Singapore, first appeared on Feb 19.