world news - 02.09.2002

Imports of cut logs to China increased in 2001

Imports of cut logs to China increased in 2001, a marked increase of 24% compared to the previous year, amounting to 16.9 million mі. China has become one of the world's biggest importers of cut logs (added to the cut log imports are also goods made of wood, which together exceeded 4 million mі in 2001). Russia is one of China's biggest suppliers of lumber, with a quota of over 50%. After having had to impose limits and legal measures against deforestation, China began in 1999 to import lumber on a large scale. The demand for lumber continues to grow; as an example in 2001 the demand for wood was over 140 million mі. By 2005 forecasts predict that this will double, thanks to China's entrance into the WTO (with the consequent reduction of customs duties) and the boom in its building and construction industry(the government introduced measures to increase the minimum limits on living spaces to 22 mІ and to build 10 million dwellings per year).

• — Association (IWPA) will take place March 26-28, 2003 at the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana. - 02.09.2002
• — Lombardia has become the leading Italian region in wood and furniture sector - 02.09.2002
• — AHEC Convention will celebrate in Lisbon, Portugal in October 24th & 25th 2002. - 02.09.2002
• — Coordinators of European wood program WWF consider, that management of a forestry of Russia demands the big attention - 02.09.2002
• — 293 forest fires are currently raging in Russia - 02.09.2002