27 April 2015, HD FestForest news - Forestry is the second most important industry for the Belarusian economy. This is according to the nation's president Alexander Lukashenko, who has revealed only agriculture plays a more essential role in the country, BelTA reports.

Speaking on a visit to the Kozyri forest area in Logoisk District on April 26th, Mr Lukashenko stated: "Forests give resources to us. Let's us rely on these resources and do something."

"Agriculture and forests give a lot of resources to us. We should use them. For example, Finland's economy relies on it," he added.

The president also stressed that the nation's forestry minister has been given all of the necessary power and support to improve the industry's performance.

"We have given everything he [Mikhail Amelianovich] needs to solve issues in the forestry industry. He has all the authorities," he stated.

Mr Amelianovich revealed that Belarus currently has enough forest resources to produce the necessary amount of timber for the nation's economic needs. He also said that a decision to use handling equipment rather than chainsaws has boosted the industry's efficiency.

Earlier this month, it was revealed the World Bank is to provide a $40.71 million (€37 million) loan for the development of forestry in Belarus.

Young Chul Kim, head of the World Bank's representative office in Belarus, said the funding would support the creation of 25,000 jobs at 88 businesses. The nation has also received a $2.74 million grant from the Global Environmental Facility.

It is hoped that more effective forest breeding and improved planting will be achieved as a result of the funding.

According to the Ministry of Forestry, 39 per cent of Belarus' landmass is covered by forest.

HD FestForest provides forest management in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and is a subsidiary company of HedeDanmark.

Source: http://www.hdfestforest.com/page10024.aspx?recordid10024=801785233