The revision of the refund mechanism will lighten the energy taxation of the basic industry to the minimum level permitted under EU regulations.“Establishing the prerequisites for economic growth is a central objective of the new Government Program. From the perspective of the forest industry, one of the most significant developments is the decision to lower the energy-intensive industry’s taxation by 120 million Euros through an amendment to the energy-tax refund mechanism,” says Timo Jaatinen, Director General of the Finnish Forest Industries Federation.. “Another welcome development is the decision to adopt a stricter stance towards proposed new sulphur emission limits on Baltic Sea maritime transports, which would add hundreds of millions of euros to the costs of the export sector,” Jaatinen says. According to Timo Jaatinen, the forest industry in finland can be very successful, if the operating environment is improved by removing burdens that are unreasonable in comparison to Finland’s competitor countries.“The new Government Program represents a sound step forward on this path,” Jaatinen says.The government’s decision to withhold permits for new nuclear power plants is, however, a disappointment, according to the Forest Industries Federation.