OREANDA-NEWS. December 13, 2010. Two large industry shows have opened in Petrozavodsk: the VIIth International exhibition The Karelian Stone and the IIIrd specialized exhibition The Road of Karelia.

Yuri Kancher, First Deputy Head of the Republic of Karelia, addressed with words of welcome to guests and participants at the ceremony of solemn opening. He has emphasized, that Karelia has unique stocks of building and finishing stone, being one of the most perspective regions for development of this industry. In Yuri Kancher's opinion, it is proved by the fact that more than 50 enterprises from various regions of Russia and from abroad including recognized world leaders in production of machinery and equipment for mining and processing industries, as well as the industry of building materials are presented at both exhibitions.

Though the mining industry of Karelia could not avoid influence of the world financial crisis, currently, it is one of the locomotives of economy in the republic. As it is known, within three months the Government of Karelia has managed to reduce the regional budgeted deficit from 3,3 billion roubles to zero. About 70% of involved additional incomes were received by the treasury from the mining enterprises, first of all, from Kostomuksha ore-dressing and processing enterprise. At present about 12,000 people are engaged in mining industry, their average wages make 28,000 roubles.

Yuri Kancher also spoke at the ceremony of opening the IVth Congress of Miners of Karelia to which both exhibitions were timed. He has wished successful work to participants of the Congress, having emphasized, that in the context of infrastructure development and introduction of the newest technologies the resource potential of the republic leads to the conclusion that in the future Karelia may become the All-Russian leader of the branch.