BELARUS (WPI).- Up to seven particleboard and MDF plants are expected to be built in Belarus during the next five years, according to recent statements of Vladimir Semashko,

the country's deputy prime minister. The construction of new plants is part of the state programme to develop the Belarus woodworking industry until 2016. The volume of investments in the implementation of the programme is estimated at €500m. The new plants are expected to be built in Rechitsa, Gomel, Borisov and Vitebsk. The establishment of these new plants is expected to allow Belarus to reduce imports of MDF and particleboard for the furniture industry - which is currently equivalent to US$120m - and to meet the needs of local furniture manufacturers.