Botnia's subsidiary specializing in forestry operations and responsible for the wood procurement to the Fray Bentos mill was recognised as the "Major exporter of the year 2007" and also won the award for the most "Dynamic exporter of the year 2007" in the annual competition promoted by the Banco de la República Oriental del Uruguay and the Uruguayan Union of Exporters. During the last years Forestal Oriental has been developing its operations to meet the 3.5 million cubic metres wood demand of the Botnia Fray Bentos mill. In preparation for the required capacity of harvesting and logistics Forestal Oriental had to recruit and train operators and ensure necessary equipment and support services were in place at the right time. Until the mill start up this resource development was facilitated by export wood sales. In 2006, Forestal Oriental did not rank in the top 30 exporters in Uruguay, but in 2007 the company catapulted from export sales of USD 26 million to USD 107 million (316% growth) - becoming the fifth largest exporter in Uruguay and responsible for 2.3% of total country exports. Naturally, when the Fray Bentos mill is in full production, the export volumes of Forestal Oriental will fall as wood is directed to be used in the mill, but the awards are a first formal public appreciation of the substantial economic benefits that will flow from the start-up of the Fray Bentos mill. Also, the company is expected to continue to export significant quantities in 2008 and beyond from locations not suited to supply the mill.