The position of the «Russian Forest» association on the implementation of the Strategy for the development of the forest complex

The strategy for the development of the forest complex of the Russian Federation until 2030 was approved by the order of the Government of the Russian Federation of February 11, 2021. As a result of its implementation, by 2030, the contribution of the forest complex to the country's GDP is expected to increase from 0.74 to 1.5%. The increase in value added will reach 1.14 trillion rubles.

The strategy provides for a thorough study and discussion with representatives of the industry of changes that are planned to be introduced into the regulatory legal acts and documents regulating the activities of forest complex enterprises. Protecting the interests of various companies, the National Association of Timber Industry «Russian Forest» is an active participant in this dialogue and provides an opportunity to be heard, including representatives of small and medium-sized businesses.

The action plan for the implementation of the Strategy for the Development of the Forest Complex of the Russian Federation until 2030, approved by the order of the Government of the Russian Federation on March 16, 2022 and published on March 21, 2022, will definitely give impetus to the development of the industry, in particular, in the face of sanctions.

The plan consists of seven sections: measures to monitor the implementation of the Strategy; support for projects for the development of processing industries; stimulation of demand and development of sales markets; ensuring the availability of the raw material base and the reproduction of forests; improving the efficiency of state forest management; increasing the efficiency of protecting forests from fires, protecting forests from harmful organisms and other adverse factors; development of human, technological and scientific potential.

The plan provides for more than 50 events, many of which should be implemented this year. A number of activities are especially in demand now, in the face of economic uncertainty. Among them:

• Preparation of proposals to reduce the rates of import customs duties in respect of equipment, consumables and components imported from non-hostile countries, analogues of which are not produced in the Russian Federation.
• Encouraging manufacturers of forest machinery and woodworking equipment to localize key components and components on the territory of the Russian Federation.
  Earlier, the Russian Forest Association proposed to support the creation and development of engineering centers on the basis of leading universities, as well as in the form of priority investment projects and public-private partnerships to stimulate forest machine and machine tool building.
• Analysis of external barriers to entering new sales markets in order to support and develop timber industry products.
  Among the proposals of the association "Russian Forest": study by embassies and trade missions of the Russian Federation in countries that are not unfriendly, the issue of lowering the threshold for entry into these markets (import duties, import VAT), as well as the search for target counterparties for domestic enterprises in the industry.
• Ensuring the implementation of a set of measures aimed at the development of construction with a target level of 20% of residential buildings and social and cultural facilities using wooden structures.
  This initiative of the Russian Forest Association was previously reflected in the list of instructions of the President of the Russian Federation following the meeting on the development and decriminalization of the forestry complex held on September 29, 2020, and now in the action plan. This is an effective measure to stimulate the domestic sawn timber market.
• Amending the Forest Code of the Russian Federation and the Land Code of the Russian Federation to legislate the status of forest roads and determine the procedure for their creation and operation.
• Preparation of proposals to the Government of the Russian Federation on the issue of creating forest infrastructure on the terms of public-private partnership.
  Stimulating the creation of forest roads is one of the main proposals of the Russian Forest association as part of the National Forest Forum, which has been held since 2018. This proposal is also reflected in the list of instructions of the President of the Russian Federation following the meeting held on September 29, 2020 on the development and decriminalization of the forest complex. The draft law on fixing the status of forest roads is in a high stage of preparation and is already being considered by industry participants.
• Support for companies involved in the implementation of measures to reduce emissions and removals of greenhouse gases.
• Expansion of the list of forest areas for which standards for intensive use of forests are established.

This is a small part of the proposals that are reflected in the regulatory documents of the Government of the Russian Federation. The «Russian Forest» association will continue to develop proposals for the development of the forest complex of our country.

The measures envisaged by the Strategy and its implementation plan will make it possible to bring the forest industry to a qualitatively new level and achieve the established indicators, and will also contribute to its «whitewashing». Conscientious business, represented by the «Russian Forest» association, supports these changes.

Of course, at present there are still enough problematic issues that need to be addressed. In this regard, the state and business should act in a single logic, especially in the face of sanctions pressure from unfriendly countries. The forestry industry has a huge potential, and we will continue to help our colleagues from the state authorities unleash it.