OREANDA-NEWS. On October 09, 2007 a ceremony to award the winners of the industrial prize Russian Forest, awarded for special achievement in forestry and forest industry, was held in St. Petersburg. Ilim Group was winner in two nominations, best contribution to the development of Russian forest industry and best PR project of the year. The awards were handed by Valery Roschupkin, head of Russian Federal Forestry Agency, reported the press-centre of Ilim Group.

Best contribution to the development of Russian forest industry award was given to Sergey Kostylev, Deputy General Director of Ilim Group. From July 1 to October 5, 2007, Kostylev worked as Ilim Group's General Director, previously he was head of Ilim Pulp forest industry corporation. During his service, the company completed transfer to the single share and established Ilim Group, as well as formed joint venture together with International Paper.

Best PR project of the year award was given to the Group's directorate of information and foreign relations – for informational support of the establishment of Ilim Group.

Russian Forest award is a national professional award given to leading companies in order to reward their prominent service in forest industry and the whole forestry complex, state-owned and public companies, business organizations, as well as separate citizens who have contributed a lot in the development of Russian forestry complex. The founder of the yearly contest is Ministry of Natural resources of Russian Federation.