Russia’s Federal Forestry Agency has called on foreign timber firms to establish sawmills in the country before export duties rise to €50 per m3 in 2009.
Valeriy Roshchupkin, head of the agency, said that those firms who undertake processing in the country will be exempt from the tariff rise and that now is the time to act.
said Mr Roshchupkin.
“Finland should hurry to create joint ventures while resources are available in accessible areas of Russia.”
Paavo Väyrynen, Finland’s minister for foreign trade and development, recently met with Russia’s minister for economic development and trade, Elvira Nabiullina, to discuss economic co-operation between the two countries, with wood tariffs central to the talks.