The Siberian Forest Sector: Challenges and Prospects

Abstract

A Western specialist on the forest industry of Russia focuses on the forest resources and wood-processing industry in East and West Siberia, where much of Russia's forested land is located at considerable distance from major domestic and foreign markets. The paper surveys the Siberian forest resource and its ability to support harvest, estimates long-term economic fiber supply, and assesses wood-processing infrastructure and forest-products trading patterns. Later sections of the paper present estimates of the funding necessary to support proper forest management and to sustain development of the wood-processing sector and address policy implications. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: L73, O13, Q23, 3 tables, 44 references.