Government simplifies exports of wood products

March 17, BPN. Belarus has simplified export procedures for some types of wood products, according to Directive No. 140 of the Council of Ministers issued on March 16.

In particular, it suspended the requirement for mandatory trading in fuel wood and sawn timber at the Belarusian Universal Commodity Exchange.

Export duties on certain types of wood products have been revoked (wood chips, sawn lumber except for unedged lumber, fiberboard, particleboard, and plywood).

“This condition does not apply to exports to countries that have imposed sanctions against the Republic of Belarus,” the government press service quoted Deputy Prime Minister Jury Nazaraŭ.

On March 8, the Forest Stewardship Council, an international organization promoting responsible management of forests, suspended certification for wood and forest products exports from Belarus and Russia after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. New EU sanctions imposed on Minsk on March 2 also include a ban on imports of wood products.

On March 9, Aliaksandr Lukašenka said that “timber is the most valuable resource for our country,” addressing the officials at the presentation of the forest management report following January’s bad weather.

“There is not enough wood in the world no matter what sanctions are imposed against us. They will ask for it in one way or another. I mean the EU, as well as southern countries and our neighbors,” he said. 

In late February, Prime Minister Raman Haloŭčanka announced that the official Minsk was ready to cut off timber supplies to Lithuania in response to the sanctions.