ukrainian news - 07.10.2009
Russia — Russia could delay increase in timber export duties, even cut them
Russia, which has about a quarter of the world's forests, planned
another major increase in its export duties starting from 2010 in a bid
to encourage the domestic processing industry. The EU has objected to
tariff hikes, which have also been high on the agenda of Russia's WTO
entry talks.
Speaking at an international investment forum in Sochi,
Nabiullina said the tariffs could be either increased as planned,
reduced or preserved intact next year. She said "the decision is
expected to be made in September-October," adding the last option was
the most likely.
Nabiullina said the issue dominated her meeting with Finnish Trade and Development Minister Paavo Vayrynen earlier on Saturday.
"This is one of the most acute issues in our relations as Finland imports much timber from Russia," she said.
Timber tariff hikes in Russia have affected Finland's
wood-processing industry, forcing companies to close production lines
and cut jobs. The Russian government delayed the move for a year last
December, heeding Finland's request.
Nabiullina said Russian regional timber producers have
requested the tariffs to be retained at the current level or even cut
citing the ongoing economic crisis affecting sales.
The minister said unprocessed timber exports have declined, and
a number of projects to invest in new processing companies have been
delayed due to financial problems.
Russia has been trying to reduce its dependence on oil and natural gas revenues by promoting non-energy industries.
See also:
- — Global trade of wood chips down 26% in 2009
- — Tymoshenko vows to tackle illegal logging more effectively
- — Romania-linked timber firm eyes investments
- — Finland — Finnish paper company to sever ties with logging firm linked to rainforest destruction in Indonesia
- — How tree communities respond to distance to edges and canopy openness
