Mar 17, 2005. /Lesprom Network/. The delegation of Finnforest met Tymen region (Russia) governor Sergey Sobianin. Finnforest president Ari Martonen said: 'We would like to become the leading company in Europe, and we're pretty much interested in Russia – a country with great opportunities. However we're not only interested in acquiring raw materials – we intend to develop production in Russia, in Tyumen region in particular'. Finnforest is one of the largest Scandinavian timber-processing companies with 21 regional offices worldwide and the staff of 8 thousand workers, annual turnover of EUR 2 million/yr. Governor Sobyanin said he was glad to meet a significant company like Finnforest: 'Tyumen region occupies the 3-4th position in Russia as to forest resources. We have dozens of cubic meters of forests. It's common knowledge, that today we're using a small part of the resources. And if you're interested in operating in Tymen region, investing significant funds in the production development – we will provide all possible assistance'. The Finnish company expressed interest in a number of investment projects – module housing construction, the building of a pulp and paper enterprise and wooden boards production. According to Ari Martonen, a working group should be set in order to discuss all the emerging questions and sign the protocol of intentions. 'We will study the market, prices, competitiveness, possible partners and will outline future plans. We want to build serious long-term business in the region', Ari Martonen said. The governor expressed his position on the issue: 'If you're going to concentrate your efforts on housing construction, pulp procession and boards production, this will be efficient. Tyumen region and neighboring regions are a prospective market. The people living in the Urals Federal District have a good consuming capacity. These territories are industrially developed.' The parts outlined a number of mutually interesting areas of cooperation. First off, mofule housing construction, the trend widely developed in Finland which will allow to provide quality housing to local population. Module housing offers a number of advantages: reasonable price, all-year round construction and envirnomental safety. The regional administration is ready to provide a favorable investment climate for production development in order to include module housing construction in the regional program of housing development. Secondly, is the construction of a pulp and paper enterprise which is one of the priority projects. The administration will attract foreign investments to the construction. Thirdly, is sawing and board prodution. Finnforest is one of the largest sawing goods vendors. The joint project includes the acuqisition of sawing products and boards for export and is the most quick-fulfilling one. The parts agreed to sign a protocol of intentions and an investment agreement after the company studies the market state of affairs. The governor gave wooden caskets (local souvenirs) to each delegate as a present.