Oct 26, 2004. /Lesprom Network/. Russia will aim reducing raw timber exports, Russian PM Mikhail Fradkov said in his address on the Russian-Finnish Forest summit. According to Prime-Tass news agency, the new edition of the Forest Code that will soon be introduced in the State Duma, should stimulate timber-procession in Russia. The minister said that a number of Finnish companies decided on the establishment of timber-processing enterprises in Russia. Direct investments in Russian timber sector from Finland are estimated at $211 million, which does not constitute the whole potential of possible cooperation. Mikhail Fradkov added that Russian government intends to fight illegal logging and the usage of forest by corrupted groups operating in the sector. According to Mikhail Fradkov, some Western experts believe that more than 20% of the country’s total timber production, however Russian law enforcement agencies believe that illegal logging is only 5%.