Моskow. 21 Feb. /Lesprom Network/. Russian timber industry has exhausted funds for the post-crisis growth as Russian industry as a whole, - as the report on the results of research carried out by the company Lesprom Industry Consulting states. According to the report production volumes of timber industry for 2002 have increased by 2,4%, however production growth rates in timber industry sector of economy are still behind the average growth rates in industry being 3,7%. Production growth in the branch was provided by enterprises of pulp and paper industry (plus 4,6%). At the same time there was fixed a sharp decrease (minus 6%) in logging industry. Decrease of volumes of logging was caused by unfavourable weather conditions in the 1st and 4th quarters of 2002. As for timber industry, decrease of the production of saw-timber materials, parquet, windows and doorframes resulted in production index of 97,9%. Export volume to foreign countries has slightly increased from 4,7% in 2001 to 4,9% in 2002. In general, there has been reported decrease of the norm of profit in the Russian timber industry, caused by rapid growth of material expenses. At the same time process of property restructurization in the branch has liven up. Lesprom Industry Consulting , who have compiled the report forecast production growth rates of the timber industry to reach 104,6-104,8% for their optimistic scenario and 103,0-103,2% for a passive scenario. The revision of the state import and export customs rates as well as a new foreign currency policy of the Central Bank of Russia aimed at the strengthening of exchange rates of Russian rouble may considerably influence the development of the branch in 2003. This may result in reduction of profits of timber exporters and further on their return to home market and decrease of export of round timber. Additional information: Lesprom Industry Consulting is specialised in research work and forecasting concerning the timber industry markets, as well as in development and implementation of marketing programs. The company accumulates statistic information concerning the activity of enterprises of timber and pulp and paper industry. Lesprom Industry Consulting works in co-operation with the leading Russian and foreign scientific facilities involved in timber industry. Large Russian and foreign companies of timber industry and investment companies such as Continental Management, Archangels pulp and paper mill, Ilim Pulp Enterprises and others are among Lesprom Industry Consulting company’s clients.