Mar 27, 2006. /Lesprom Network/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has demanded the Russian government to immediately provide favorable conditions for timber processing in Russia, ITAR-TASS reported. Putin was speaking during his meeting with key ministers Monday. "We have been talking (about timber processing) since 1999, but nothing happens," he said. Russian companies should cease selling timber abroad and process it within the country, he said. Meanwhile, Russia's Economic Development and Trade Minster German Gref said that, to reach this goal, the Russian government has adopted a three-year program to increase export duties on timber. In addition, in the near future the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, is to approve the third reading of the Forest Code, which will contribute to the development of timber processing in Russia, Gref said. To become a law, the bill must be approved by the State Duma in three readings, by the Federation Council, which is the upper house of parliament, in one reading and then be signed by the president. In 2005, Russia’s timber exports increased 15.8% on the year to 47.938 million cubic meters, the Federal Customs Service said earlier. Lumber exports rose to 8.999 million tonnes in 2005, from 7.643 million tonnes in 2004, it added.