The regional government in Kaliningrad will create a task force to address the problems of the amber production industry, according to Governor Nikolai Tsukanov of the Kaliningrad region. At this time, the progress in the amber extraction sector is hindered as a consequence of numerous difficulties in exporting amber and finished items made with the use of amber. Law-abiding amber producers, burdened as they are from the imposition of excessive customs duties, are in an even worse position as a result of unlawful amber production by certain companies.
Meanwhile, the size of the amber sectors in Poland and Lithuania combined is USD 600 million, a stark contrast with the USD 20 million market value for the amber industry in Kaliningrad.
Governor Tuskanov believes that the region has the potential to recapture the title of the regional amber capital. The governor has also promised to create a designated outlet in the Kaliningrad region where local amber producers would be able to present their products.