MINSK, 16 May (BelTA) - Belarus and Latvia will expand cooperation in forestry, Deputy Forestry Minister of Belarus Leonid Demyanik said at the seminar "Belarus-Latvia. Business and prospects for cooperation in the timber industry. Investments. Harvesting. Trade. Logistics”.
The Deputy Minister noted the interest of forestry companies in cooperation with partners from Latvia. "Belarus’ forestry industry has been working hard to raise investment, implement upgrade projects and increase the production volumes. This opens up new opportunities before investors in terms of joint ventures, business development and other forms of cooperation,” he said.
Latvian Ambassador to Belarus Mihails Popkovs also made a report at the event. The diplomat noted that the two countries have long-standing friendly ties and mutually beneficial economic relations. “Belarus is among the main economic partners of Latvia. The countries have many points of contact, and there is still great potential for further cooperation. Forestry is one of the promising areas,” said the Ambassador.
The Latvian companies have a great interest in Belarus’ forestry industry. They are ready to not only increase the import of Belarusian wood but also develop their own business on the territory of Belarus. “170 Latvian companies got accredited at the Belarusian Universal Commodity Exchange, with most of them working in the forestry sector," said the Ambassador. This demonstrates that cooperation has already been established, but the potential for expansion is enormous.
Latvia currently ranks second after Germany among importers of paper wood and second after Poland among importers of sawn timber. “Thus, the country is a major consumer of timber products, and this could be interesting for Belarus” added Mihails Popkovs. He expressed readiness to assist in the bolstering of trade and economic relations.
Leonid Demyanik also said that Belarus is interested in Latvia as a consumer of wood. “Today Latvia accounts for 8.6% of our timber exports. The figure could be higher," said Leonid Demyanik, adding that he sees no obstacles to greater cooperation.
Attending the seminar are representatives of the Forestry Ministry, Belarusian Universal Commodity Exchange (BUCE), the Embassy of Latvia in Belarus, Republican Association of Timber Industry and over 30 representatives of businesses from Latvia.
Many Latvian companies operate successfully on the Belarusian market. They are engaged in harvesting and transportation of wood (provide services to forest companies), production of chip fuel and rounded wood, and are regular consumers of Belarusian wood.
A number of companies are involved in shipping of timber cargo, and delivery of forestry equipment. Some companies are attending the seminar to make business contacts and develop business in Belarus.
On the second day, the delegation will visit the Rossony forestry to get acquainted with its manufacturing facilities, the woodworking shop, the logging operations by the forestry itself and third-party organizations.
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