Finland is worried by Russia’s plans to establish higher export duties on raw timber. Finnish prime-minister Matti Vanhanen hopes that these plans will not hinder timber deliveries to Finland. This issue was given a special focus during negotiations with Russian prime-minister Mikhail Fradkov on 29 November, 2006. Vanhanen pointed out that Finland expects Russia will take decisions allowing renewal of supplies. He also stated that, in his opinion, the conditions being created in forest industry will stimulate Finnish investments into Russian timber processing industry which will help reach the goal of establishing Russia-based integrated timber processing. The new Forest Code is expected to enhance investment attractiveness of the industry and promote cooperation in this sphere. By this time, Finnish investments into Russian timber industry have reached approximately one billion EUR. (Source: Fordaq.com)