Mamuju, W Sulawesi (ANTARA News) - A number of countries including Russia, China, Germany, Japan and South Korea have expressed interest in developing railway tracks in Sulawesi island, a local official has said.

It seemed that the countries would compete with one another to win a tender for the construction of the project, Head of the Sulawesi Regional Development Coordinating Board (BKPRS) Anwar Adnan Saleh said here on Friday.

"But the Indonesian government has yet to decide the country with which it will cooperate in building the much-needed project in Sulawesi," said Anwar who is also West Sulawesi governor.

He said six Sulawesi governors would meet with the directorate general of railway affairs at the Transportation Ministry in Jakarta later this year to follow up on the government's decision to build railway tracks on the island.

"(Each of the governors) will brief the director general of railway affairs on the opportunity and challenge to develop railway lines as well as their impact on the local economy. We will also discuss a plan to conduct a feasibility study," he said.

He expressed optimism that the project would bring about economic change on the island as it would facilitate the mobilization of goods and people from one area to another.

"Natural resources in this region will be easily transported and traded from one area to another in Sulawesi so it will contribute to the economic growth of each province in Sulawesi," he said. (T.S012/B003)