Belarus looks to supply wood chips to Karelia

MINSK, 7 December (BelTA) - Belarus is considering ways to supply wood chips for paper production to Karelia, Belarusian Forestry Minister Aleksandr Kulik said ahead of the business forum “Belarus-Karelia: business cooperation, effective partnership” on 7 December, BelTA has learned.

Aleksandr Kulik stressed that the Forestry Ministry is responsible for cooperation with Karelia. “This is not the first event held jointly with representatives of the Russian region. Belarusian delegations also visited Karelia to discuss mutual partnership. There is a constant exchange of delegations, business circles to expand the commodity supply chain. Belarus exports logging and cargo machinery and mechanisms to Karelia. The parties cooperate in many areas, including food products. Despite the fact that the export is still small, we have a good potential. Meetings like this business forum under the auspices of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry help expand the list of goods for mutual supplies and the volume of cooperation,” he said.

According to the minister, there is a shortage of spruce wood chips for paper production in Karelia. “We are considering the supply of this material there. We will calculate the necessary volumes for our own paper production in Shklov and will work out possible supplies to our counterparts in Russia,” Aleksandr Kulik said.

A delegation from Karelia, consisting of over 30 specialists, is on a visit to Belarus. These are representatives of the industry, culture, sports, timber sector, economic activities, woodworking and other areas. Belarusian participants in the business forum had an opportunity to hold bilateral talks with representatives of Russian companies in stone processing, production of animal feed, heavy industry, pulp and paper industry, as well as the production of sports equipment.