Finland is worried by Russia’s plans to establish higher export duties on raw timber.

Finnish prime-minister Matti Vanhanen expressed concern about that at the press-conference held after Russian-Finnish talks. He said he hopes that these plans will not hinder timber deliveries to Finland. Matti Vanhanen said this issue was given a special focus during negotiations with Russian prime-minister Mikhail Fradkov on 29 November, 2006. “I expressed our deep concern about Russia’s intention to increase export duties”, the head of Finnish government said. “Such decision affects interests of Finnish woodworking enterprises located in the eastern part of the country. Birch raw wood misbalance is the most serious problem.” Vanhanen pointed out that Finland expects Russia will take decisions allowing renewal of supplies.

Mikhail Fradkov stated that, in his opinion, the conditions being created in forest industry will stimulate Finnish investments into Russian timber processing industry which will help reach the goal of establishing Russia-based integrated timber processing. ‘Taking into account these factors, we consider it expedient to introduce economic instruments including higher export duties on timber products’, Fradkov stressed. He also said that the new Forest Code is expected to enhance investment attractiveness of the industry and promote cooperation in this sphere.

By this time, Finnish investments into Russian timber industry have reached approximately 1bln euros.

(After Information Agency Rosbaltnord.ru)