In addition to spurring investments in the area, the ring road development is also part of preparations welcoming the organizing of Tambora Greets the World 2015, a tourism event in NTB to commemorate 200 years of Mount Tambora's eruption.

'The land clearing process is underway. We hope the construction process can start at the beginning of 2014 so that the ring road can be used in 2015,' Sumbawa administration spokesperson Wirawan told The Jakarta Post in Mataram, on Thursday.

He said that with the ring road, tourists could reach Mt. Tambora, which was located in the Dompu and Bima regencies, faster from Sumbawa than from any other departure point.

It takes between 5 and 6 hours to reach Tambora from Dompu or Bima by road, while from Sumbawa, it will take only around 3 to 3.5 hours.

Unlike travel routes from Dompu or Bima, tourists who go to Tambora from Sumbawa will also have to travel by sea using a speed boat.

'So, after we arrive in Tanjung Menangis by road, we must travel to Satonda Island by sea with a boat before we go on to Tambora. Visitors can enjoy beautiful sea scenery,' said Wirawan.

He said the ring road, which was located in the northern part of Sumbawa regency, could hopefully attract investors to invest in the northern Sumbawa area.

Apart from tourism sites, the ring road will also cross over areas with agriculture, plantation and animal husbandry potential. (ebf)

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