Ten processing facilities will come on stream in Belarus by 2015 according to Belarus Forestry Minister Mikhail Amelyanovich. The minister recalled that the head of state ordered to stop export of round timber by 2015 and to shift the focus on processing. Source: Belta (Belarus)
“In order to improve the efficiency of the timber industry, it is necessary to manufacture export oriented products with higher value added. To that end, by 2015, 10 processing companies will be put into operation.
“Eight of them will be built by Bellesbumprom Concern, one company by Kronospan (Austria) and another one will operate in the free economic zone Mogilev.
“By 2015 these enterprises will process all the raw material that we grow,” said Amelyanovich.
The minister concentrated on two projects.
One of the plants is scheduled to open in Ivatsevichy in September. It will produce boards.
“This is a big company that will process approximately 800,000 cubic meters of timber. All products will be export-oriented,” said Amelyanovich.
Another major producer of pulp and paper will be built in Svetlogorsk and this will be the largest most advanced enterprise.
Currently, the forest industry of Belarus operates 71 timber processing facilities. Every year they process about one million cubic meters of wood. Products are sold domestically and internationally.
