MINSK, 23 May (BelTA) – About half of Belarus' forestry machinery is exported out, Belarus' Vice Premier Vladimir Semashko told the media at the Lesdrevtech 2018 forestry expo on 23 May, BelTA has learned.
“We have developed our own system to produce forest care and logging machinery. We have re-equipped our forestry sector and secured deliveries abroad. The supplies of such vehicles have made a major part of our exports. We export this equipment, first of all, to Russia and also other EAEU countries, CIS, some European countries. Some 50% of the goods produced by our companies go for export. This percentage will go further as we are close to saturate the domestic market with this equipment,” said Vladimir Semashko.
In his words, Belarus has considerably increased its wood procurement and processing in the recent years. This took place thanks, first of all, to the modernization of wood processing companies. “We have preserved jobs and posted surplus in foreign trade,” the vice premier stressed.
In 2017 the forestry industry harvested nearly 18 million cubic meters of wood. “The target is to harvest and process 25-27 million cubic meters of wood per year. The powerful Svetlogorsk Pulp and Board Mill is coming on stream. The cardboard manufacturing plant in Dobrush will be hopefully launched soon too,” Vladimir Semashko noted.
Lesdrevtekh 2018 forestry expo is running in the trade and logistic center Globus Park in the agro-town Shchomyslitsa, Minsk District on 23-25 May. Forestry Minister Vitaly Drozhzha said that the exhibition has somewhat changed its focus. Now it pays more attention to the equipment for the timber industry and forestry economic activities rather than woodworking.
The forum has brought together experts and representatives of the forestry companies from Belarus, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Poland, Germany and other countries. More than 60 exhibitors are taking part in the expo. They include the companies affiliated with the Forestry Ministry and also the stands of all state production forestry associations, enterprises subordinated to Belgosles, Bellesexport, the National Center for Further Training of forestry industry specialists.
