Latvia's prime minister expects a government decision in February 2000 on whether to participate in building a $1 billion, 600,000 mtpy-pulp plant with Sweden's Sodra and Finland's Metsaliitto, which said they are interested in the project after completing a feasibility study. The construction of the mill, to be located in the southeastern Jekabpils region, could start in 2003 and become operational in three years.