Jun 20, 2005. /Lesprom Network/. Kotlassky pulp and paper enterprise (Arkhangelsk region, Russia, owned by Ilim Pulp) held a meeting on the efficient ways to combat illegal logging, corporate public-affairs announced. Arkhangelsk regional administration, heads of municipies, law enforcement officers, Arkhangels regional office of the Federal Timber Sector Agency, environmentalists and businessmen approved a plan of measures that will allow to strengthen the fight against illegal logging and timber turnover. The meeting was chaired by the 1st deputy-governor of Arkhangelsk region Roman Balashov. ‘3 months ago during a working visit to the south of the region we learned about sattellite monitoring of timber transportation introduced on Kotlassky. The system is an efficient one and meets fully our intention to increase the volume of tax payments by reducing illegal turnover of timber’ he said. Chairman of the board of directors of Ilim Pulp Zakhar Smuskin agreed with Roman Balashov in an official letter: ‘We have recently held an intergovernmental conference in Moscow to enforce legal activity in the timber sector. Large business is interested in building intergovernmental cooperation that would completely eliminate illegal timber production and procession. Ilim Pulp is actively participating in this process.’ Kotlassky CEO Yuri Zayats said that legal timber production is essential for the largest enterprise in Europe and is not only the question of image, but also the successful operation of the enterprise. 60% of the goods produced by the enterprise are exported to environment sensitive European markets. According to the corporate plans, the significant part of the final product manufactured by the company will get FSC marking in 4Q 2005 and in 2006. Roman Balashov added, that Arkhnagelsk region timber sector produces 1/3 of goods and Ѕ of the total export figure. Arkhangelsky timber sector accounts for 45.6% of the regional economy. The positive dynamics of the sector development can be easily traced, however there’s long work to be done in order to raise the competitivity and economic output of the timber sector. The meeting took a number of decisions that will allow to coordinate the work of all the branches of power, law enforcement agencies in order to fight crimes in the timber sector.