Feb 20, 2004. /Lesprom Network/. Russian Sverdlovsky Railways reported significant timber cargo growth in 2003 (up 10,8% or 428,145 thousand tons compared with the prior period in 2002), regional timber cargo transportation increased 0,2% or 127,631 thousand tons compared with the prior period in 2002, Russian Railways press-center quoting Sverdlovsky Railways director Alexander Misharin reported. Sverdlovsky timber enterprises need to reduce railway cars standstill in the enterprises’ railway terminals, Alexander Misharin said during a meeting attended by Sverdlovsky regional timber and timber-processing enterprises’ directors. Last year was a complicated period for Sverdlovsky timer merchants, Svervlovsky region deputy minister of industry A. Lukyanov said. The major problems the timber sector is facing are due to the drawbacks in the current tax and customs legislation. A. Lukyanov stressed the fact that timber producers and timber merchants are satisfied with the cooperation Sverdlovsky Railways is providing. ‘Sverdlovsky Railways improved its approach towards customers’ A. Lukyanov said. Besides, the deputy minister promised Sverdlovsky Railways director that timber merchants will go on reducing cars standstills in the enterprises’ railway terminals.