world news - 29.05.2003
Russia is increasing its exports of wood and paper products. Currency earnings from exports of wood and paper products in January-February came to $763.1 million, which is 11% more than the same period of last year.
The source noted that Svetogorsk (Leningrad region) has start
setting up production facilities for thermomechanical pulp with capacity of
130,000 tonnes a year and office paper with production capacity of 70,000 and
expanding pulp production.
Documentation is being worked up for the root modernization and
expansion of production at Selenginsky TsBK and Sibirsky TsBK. At Sokolsky TsBK,
part of the Foks group, has put into operation a new paper-making machine
(overall investment $30 million) and is doing reconstruction work and building
facilities for high-tech pulp and paper-spoilage bleaching.
At Syassky TsBK reconstruction work is being wrapped up at its
cardboard plant, Kondopoga is completing in the installation of a new high-speed
machine for the making of 200,000 tonnes of newspaper annually.
Construction continues on new enterprises for the production of
panels at Ust-Izhorsky FK (St. Petersburg), Belikoustyugsky FK Novator, and at
Krasny Yakor (Kirov region).
The Austrian company Kronoshpan, registered in the Moscow
region town of Yegorevsk, has begun building a wood-planting enterprise for the
making of 240,000 cubic meters of medium-density fiberboard per year for the
furniture industry.
Taking account of these and many other investments, output
volume in the sector could this year increase more than 2.5% over last year.
That includes around 80 million cubic meters of lumber 0.6% up from 2002, of
paper 3.67 million tonnes (4.1% more) and of cardboard 2.44 million tonnes (1.8%
more), the Economic Development and Trade Ministry source said.
See also:
- — China Becomes Global Furniture Manufacturing Center. In 2002, China's total furniture output value arrived at USD 20 billion, an equivalent of RMB 165 billion, accounting for 10% of the world's total furniture output value.
- — Nordic papermakers should face low yet stable European demand in coming months, but earnings could be hit by a stronger euro if the sector upturn they hope for does not emerge in the second half, analysts said.
- — Irish Forestry Services has broken into the British market with a scheme to raise £5 million sterling (E7 million) for forestry in Scotland
- — West African Log Market in May
- — Danish Furniture Trade: The Danish trade balance in furniture in 2002 was positive with exports exceeding imports