OREANDA-NEWS. Belarus hopes that investments into the production upgrade of local woodworking industries will be paid back at the expense of timber sales on the Russian market, the press-service of the Belarusian government said in a release.

First Deputy Premier Vladimir Semashko admits that Belarusian woodworking companies find it difficult to sell their products on the home market. At the same time, he believes Belarusian woodworking companies should eye the Russian market that has a large capacity.

In the meantime, Belarus' Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich demands that all projects for modernizing Belarusian woodworking enterprises must be completed on time.

“We must finish all the projects this year and in H1 2014 in line with the timeline set by the head of state,” Myasnikovich said. “Changing the timeline is out of the question”. Deadlines for several facilities have been shifted more than once already, resulting in higher costs and other issues concerning the implementation of these projects.

“You know that a number of executives have been fired and criminal proceedings have been launched for these and some other drawbacks,” reminded Mikhail Myasnikovich. “This is why the decisions we are going to make should be aimed at fixing the situation in the industry”.

The woodworking industry is important to Belarus and the country should occupy this niche of the market, the premier said. The complete technological cycle and raw materials are available in Belarus to make it happen. “Today woodworking industries for us is what oil and gas industries are for other countries,” Myasnikovich said.