V regional forum “Forest and man - Kazan” has opened in Kazan today. The event is dated to the 13th specialized exhibition “Woodworking-2012” being held at the exhibition center JSC “Kazanskaya Yarmarka” under the auspice of the Russian Government, the Union of timbermen and timber exporters of Russia.

The V regional forum “Forest and man - Kazan” will last till June 8. Session and roundtables will be held during the event. Problems of preservation and rational use of forest resources, modernization and development of timber processing complex, business in this sphere, attraction of investments in the industry will be discussed.

Representatives of federal and regional authorities, relevant ministries and agencies, major ventures of the Russian timber processing complex take part in the forum.

Prime Minister of Tatarstan Ildar Khalikov was present at the opening ceremony. He said that first forum was held 5 years ago in Kazan on initiative of Rustam Minnikhanov who headed the Tatarstan Government at that time.

Ildar Khalikov thanked workers of the republican industry of forestry and Ministry of forestry for work. “Our forest divisions provided safety of forests 24 hours a day in the period of fires. New fire-hazardous period is about to begin. I hope the same measures will be taken this year,” Tatarstan PM said.

He also read out greetings of the Tatarstan President addressed to participants of the forum: “I am sure that the regional forum will help establishing new business contacts, will be an efficient tool for interaction of science and industry and will help defining prospects of the industry.”

Deputy Chief of the Federal agency of forestry Anatoly Buldakov took part in the opening ceremony. After the ceremony distinguished guests looked over the exposition.

The Tatarstan Minister of forestry Nail Magdeev presented opportunities of a unique Forest selection seed-growing center opened in the Sabinsky region of Tatarstan.