OREANDA-NEWS. On 06 May 2009 was announced, that work of timber industry complex of Karelia in the first three months of the year was summed up on April 27 at the operational conference of the Government of republic. As the Minister of Forestry Vladimir Yuriev has reported, situation in the branch remains complex, however, positive dynamics of industrial parameters of timber industry complex in comparison with the beginning of the year is observed.

In the logging branch the volume of hauling on results of the tree-month period has made 1,5 million cubic meters or 78% to the similar period of the last year. Growth of volumes of hauling was achieved by Olonetsles, Inc., Ladenso, Inc., Porosozero, Inc., Shuyales Joint-Stock Company, Leseco Norrd, Ltd., LahdenpohskyTimber Industry Enterprise, Inc., Swedwood Karelia, Ltd., and Kostomukshsky Timber Industry Enterprise, Ltd.

In March a number of enterprises have started increasing their production volumes: for example, if in January timber hauling of Karellesprom Forestry Holding Company, Inc., has made 61%, then in March volumes have grown up to 78%. Positive dynamics of timber cuttings is also observed at Segezha Pulp and Paper Plant - 103% .

Pulp-and-paper combines, despite of decrease in production volumes in relation to the similar period of the last year, continue to work stably, almost without layings-off. Index of production in pulp and paper industry on results of the first quarter has made 85%. In cost expression, production was shipped amounting to 4775,2 million roubles or 95.7% to the corresponding period of the previous year.

Index of prouction of cellulose in the first quarter has made 89%. As the Minister has noted, this parameter exceeds the average across Russia. Dynamics of production of newprint this current year is positive, as its rate of growth is 103%.

Production of paper sacks in the republic stabilized. At present now it is produced 30 million pieces monthly that corresponds to a pre-crisis level of production.

In the period from February to March woodworking enterprises started to increase volumes of production, and in the 1st quarter of this year the index of production on wood fashioning has reached 51%. In March volume of production of saw-timber has made 49 thousand cubic meters or 172% to February. Such significant growth of volumes of production is caused by revival of demand in the market. As consequence, 17 of 20 large saw mills operate today, whereas in the beginning of the year only there operated only 8 enterprises. Now the volume of production of saw-timber corresponds to the level of demand.

The Ministry monitored situation on large logging and woodworking enterprises, and also three pulp and paper plants. It allows to respond to problems arising in due time and to take measures together with heads of enterprises directed on decrease of negative consequences of influence of macroeconomic factors.

Prime Minister of the Government of Karelia Pavel Chernov has demanded that in the second quarter parameters of the branch should not be inferior to the level of the last year.

- There was a failure in timber industry complex in December, January and February, but now the republic should catch up with backlog on hauling and woodworking. Pulp-and-paper enterprises should also raise volumes of production, - the Prime Minister has told.