MOSCOW. Feb 28(Interfax) - The Russian government has scrapped licensingfor the export of sunflower seeds, rapeseed and soybeans, as well as forimporting tobacco and its commercial substitutes.The government information department said that the relevant resolution(N129) was signed on February 26 with the aim of further liberalizingforeign trade operations.IAM analysts forecast that Russia may expand its sunflower crop area nextyear because many oilseed refineries have increased.Yelena Tyurina, the director of the Institute of Agrarian Marketing (IAM),said the cancellation of licensing for oilseed exports would simplifyingexporting procedures and increase the number of exporters. "However, thisyear this measure will not have much impact on the domestic market andforeign trade operations because there is virtually nothing to export,"Tyurina told Interfax.Russian production of sunflower seeds fell to 2.7 million tonnes last yearfrom 3.9 million tonnes in 2000.The global shortage of sunflower seeds and the resulting high prices willalso encourage Russian farmers to increase production.In these circumstances, the scrapping of licensing will stimulate growthof exports, Tyurina said.