world news - 28.09.2004
Byelorussia intends to modernize timber machinery fleet by acquiring Byelorussian machines worth $25.999 million
Byelorussian Ministry of agriculture intends to modernize timber machinery fleet in 2004-2008 by acquiring Byelorussian machines worth $25.999 million, Prime-Tass news agency reported.
The necessary funds will be provided partially by the timber enterprises, as well as by credits allocated by Belarusbank and Belagroprombank, a total of $2.765 million/yr in 2004-2008. The ministry turned to the government of Byelorussia asking to provide necessary assistance in the allocation of the credit funds on privileged conditions (10% annual interest rate in BYR).
According to the ministerial estimations, 84 forwarders and 295 tractors for timber practical usage built by Minsky tractor plant will be required, as well as 83 trailers and 83 assortment-transportation trailers also supplied by Minsky and 188 hydro-manipulators supplied by Mozyrsky machinery enterprise and other equipment.
A spokesperson for the ministry said that the equipment modernization will allow to use timber resources more rationally and increase the amount of timber exports from 60% in 2004 to 85% in 2007.
In accordance with the ministerial estimations the new rules concerning timber sales and other measures within the reforming of the national timber sector will allow to increase profits from $20.283 million in 2003 to $88.048 million in 2007 and decrease the dependence of the sector upon budget funding.
The Ministry of agriculture has 504 Russian and Byelorussian timber-carriers, 49 MAZ assortment-carriers, 2025 tractors and forwarders mainly built by Minsky. 81% of the machines and 62% the tractors have been used for more than 8 years now and the tear and wear of equipment requires considerable expenditures.
Lesprom
See also:
- — Mechanical paper shipments and demand in western Europe increased in August
- — World chemical market pulp producer inventories increased by 200,000 tonnes in August
- — UNECE region countries tackle illegal logging and trade of illegally derived forest products
- — Timber products account for 4.2% of imports from outside CIS within 7 months in 2004
- — Russian timber cargo transportation to Finland was 27% of the total cargo turnover within 8 months in 2004
