The Finnish forest sector needs a cash injection of up to €300m in order to increase domestic logging by 15 million m³, a task force has proposed.
The government-appointed group, headed by former Finnish prime minister Esko Aho, is looking at options to boost the country’s forestry industry in the face of escalating roundwood duties by Russia – a major source of logs.
Proposals by the group include more guidance for forest owners, investments in forest education, investments in infrastructure and tax reductions to grow timber sales.
Finances to pay for the investments would come initially from government stumpage revenue from state forests and revenue from the timber sales tax. In the future, the group has suggested the creation of a special forest fund.
The task force submits a final report in June focused on improving long-term operating conditions in the sector.
