Moves to make the timber industry more profitable are under way in Russia.
Anatoly Skorobogatov, vice-president of the Union of Timbermen and Exporters, is calling for a federal body to be set up to co-ordinate all issues related to the use of mineral resources.
He told the State Duma that 52% of the country’s timber industry enterprises were unprofitable and investment in the industry was not that solid.
Mr Skorobogatov recommended the adoption of a national forestry policy to stabilise and develop the industry, adding that, with a rational approach, the timber industry could yield up to 70% of GDP instead of the current 12-15%.
A decision to recommend the implementation and funding of a programme envisaged by the Russia’s forests scheme was adopted.
