Latest Speaker Confirmations Include:

• Farid Ibragimov, General Director, Mondi Syktyvkar
• Maksim Smirnov, CFO, Mondi Syktyvkar
• Valery Roschupkin, Vice-President, Region Group
• Andrey Dribny, General Director, Baikalsk Pulp and Paper Mill

The 13th Annual Conference on PULP AND PAPER IN RUSSIA AND THE CIS will be held on 28th - 30th October 2008 at the Marriott Hotel in Vienna.

30+ distinguished speakers representing leading Russian and international companies will provide in-depth presentations on the most significant developments in the Russian pulp and paper industry, including: opportunities offered by the new Governmental development strategy for the forestry, pulp and paper sector; creation of new pulp and paper mills in Russia and the CIS; the impact of the increased export duties on Russian round wood; infrastructure and human resources challenges; production cost management; as well as the investment strategies and modernisation plans of the leading companies; opportunities for bio-energy production in Russia, and many other topical issues.

Zakhar Smushkin, Chairman of the Board, Ilim Group

Rinat Starkov, Head of CIS and Chairman of the Board, Mondi Syktyvkar

Andrei Benin, Deputy Head, Federal Forestry Agency

Klaus Eckert, MD Timber, Pulp & Paper, Resources Sector, Basic Element Company

Dr. Ingolf Braun, Managing Director, SCA Consumer Tissue East

Teresa Presas, Managing Director, CEPI

Elizabeth de Carvalhaes, President, Brazilian Pulp and Paper Association (BRACELPA)

Irina Bitkova, Chair of the Board, North-West Timber Company

Vasily Preminin, Director, Pulp and Paper Industry Division, Investlesprom

This unique event is now unanimously recognized as the most important gathering in the Russian forestry, pulp and paper industry, and has firmly established its reputation as the best place to meet all the key players in the Russian sector as well as their international peers.

Every year hundreds of participants, including top-level managers from both Russian and international pulp and paper mills, packaging companies, investors, governmental decision-makers, chemicals and equipment suppliers, andtransport companies get together to share their views on the current state of the industry, its future perspectives and ways to maximise growth and address existing challenges.

As always, in addition to the information-packed sessions and hard-hitting discussions on offer, the programme will provide a great variety of social functions, allowing you to expand your business contacts and catch up with industry peers in a more relaxed and informal environment.

KEY TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION:

• Assessing the impact of increased Russian round wood export duties on neighbouring countries. How are European companies addressing this challenge?
• What steps is the government taking to improve the attractiveness of the Russian pulp and paper industry? What are the criteria determining the “priority” status of new investment projects?
• Assessment of the investment climate in the industry. What are the key risks associated with investing in the Russian forestry and pulp and paper sector?
• What opportunities does the Kyoto protocol offer to Russian pulp and paper mills?
• Addressing infrastructure challenges in the forestry sector
• Overview of the opportunities for international players in the Russian pulp and paper industry
• How to improve business efficiency in conditions of growing energy and raw materials costs?
• Addressing the shortage of skilled professionals in Russia. What can be learned from western experience?
• Opportunities for the production of recycled paper products in Russia
• Analysing growth perspectives for the most profitable segments in the Russian paper industry
• An update on new regulations affecting the sector. What actual impact has the new Forestry code had on the industry?
• What are the available financing options for new pulp and paper projects?  What can international banks offer and on what conditions?
• CEO Panel: debating “the way forward for the Russian pulp & paper industry”
• …and many more!

and NEW FEATURES IN 2008:

• Keynote presentation on the current situation in the global industry with a special focus on the BRIC countries
• Spotlight on the implications of increased export duties on Russian round wood for European companies
• Panel Discussion on opportunities and challenges for international players in the Russian pulp and paper industry
• Special focus on human resources in the pulp and paper industry
• Spotlight sessions on the most profitable segments of the Russian paper industry: cardboard and packaging
• Interactive discussion:  What are the top priorities on the agenda of Russian mill CFOs?
• CEO Panel on “the way forward for the Russian pulp & paper industry”

We are currently putting together the panel of speakers for this event; all the latest updates regarding preparations will be regularly featured on our website.

TESTIMONIALS:

“Unlimited networking opportunities”
Gunil Marwah, CEO, Horizon Pulp and Paper Limited

“The best opportunity to share professional information in the Russian pulp and paper industry”
Andrey Vasyukov, Vice President, Russian Operations, UPM-Kymmene

“Adam Smith Conferences help a lot to form business strategies”
Alexander Titov, Managing Director, Kemira HIM

“This conference is an absolute must within the industry”
Alexander Pessa, Project Manager, Finnish Forest Industries