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Monday, April 16, 2007

Special Reports

Q&A with Botnia

Botnia talks to Latin Business Chronicle about its controversial pulp mill and doing business in Uruguay.

BY CHRONICLE STAFF

Finland-based Botnia has been the target of consistent attacks from the Argentine government, which is trying to stop it from building a $1.2 billion pulp plant in Uruguay, claiming it will damage the environment. Despite several local and international studies showing no environmental damage, the Argentine government continues its efforts to stop the construction of the Botnia plant. Along the way, it has angered Finnish government officials as well as Uruguay's government and opposition. Latin Business Chronicle recently asked Marko Janhunen, Botnia's vice president for communications & public relations for the Uruguay project, how the company has reacted to the controversy. We also asked about its views on operating in Uruguay. Here are excerpts:

Are you disappointed that Argentina continues to protest the pulp mills despite the positive environmental impact studies in Uruguay and by the IFC and the World Bank?
We remain confident that people will realize that their present way of life is...

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From: Dr. W. Dwernychuk

Vancouver, Canada

I reviewed the Environmental Impact Statement for the World Bank. Argentina is completely wrong in their assertion of 'irreparable' environmental damage. This mill will be the most technically advanced in the world with inconsequential impacts. Argentina should look within their borders and rectify their own pulp mill pollution problems, which are substantial (on Rio Parana), and address these concerns with Paraguay ... but no, they choose to completely blow out of proportion a benign situation on the Rio Uruguay for internal political gain ... a reprehensible situation.