Feb 05, 2004. /Lesprom Network/. Russian Ilim Pulp-owned enterprises increased commercial production 4,8% to 2867,99 thousand tons in 2003 compared with the prior period in 2002, company’s public-affairs told Lesprom.ru. Pulp and paper production increased 4,5% to 2310,89 thousand tons. Commercial pulp production increased 4,7% to 1376,27 thousand tons, commercial cardboard – up 4,7% to 637,05 thousand tons, commercial paper – up 4,4% to 233,94 thousand tons. Pulp production increased 5,2% to 2281,33 thousand tons. Timber-processing sector witnessed most dynamic development. Sawn timber production increased 14,8%. Total timber-procession production was 557,10 thousand cond tons (veneer, sawn timber, hardboard), up 0,6% compared with the prior period in 2002. Timber enterprises reported timber production at 7,1 million cub m in 2003, up 10,9% compared with the prior period in 2002. Ilim Pulp CEO Sergey Kostilev said: ’We’ve been constantly increasing commercial production and timber production during the last 3 years. Last year was rather successful for our company while generally the situation in the sector remained unfavorable. Production growth is due to the complete use of our production capacities and due to the investment in new production trends. Last year we invested $97 million, this year investments increassed to $147 million. Ilim Pulp success lies in our long-term strategy. We are perfectly aware of our production capacities, market demands and we have enough funds to invest. We are intended to increase pulp and paper and mechanical timber-processing production in 2004.