Stora Enso Oyj - Company Announcement

Stora Enso extends maturity of International Finance Corporation loan facility in China

Helsinki, Finland, 2011-04-04 08:00 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- STORA ENSO OYJ
STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 4 April 2011 at 9.00 EET 

Stora Enso has signed a loan facility agreement with the International Finance
Corporation (IFC) to extend the maturity of USD 128 million in syndicated loans
under its existing facility with IFC. IFC is a member of the World Bank Group
focussed on private sector development in emerging markets. The extension
prolongs the maturity by three years to June 2014. The loan will be used to
finance Stora Enso's current and future investments in China. 

The participating international commercial banks are Crédit Agricole Corporate& Investment Bank, Handelsbanken, HSBC, Nordea, SEB and The Royal Bank of
Scotland. The initial loan facility for China was signed between Stora Enso and
IFC in June 2005. The amount was increased to USD 300 million in June 2006, of
which USD 128 million is now extended. 

In line with its growth markets strategy, Stora Enso is focusing on profitable
expansion in China by prioritising local sustainable supplies of fibre and by
targeting investments in growth markets and selected product segments. 

“We have a long relationship with IFC, which has been our primary strategic
financing partner in China. We are pleased to note that investors such as IFC
appreciate our sustainability approach. They have also provided important
guidance on how to enhance the sustainability of our operations,” says Stora
Enso CFO Markus Rauramo. 

For further information, please contact:
Jyrki Tammivuori, SVP, Group Treasurer, tel. +358 2046 21043


www.storaenso.com
www.storaenso.com/investors


Stora Enso is a global paper, packaging and wood products company producing
newsprint and book paper, magazine paper, fine paper, consumer board,
industrial packaging and wood products. The Group is the world leader in forest
industry sustainability. We offer our customers solutions based on renewable
raw materials. Our products provide a climate-friendly alternative to many
non-renewable materials, and have a smaller carbon footprint. Stora Enso is
listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and the FTSE4Good Index. Stora
Enso employs some 26 000 people worldwide, and our sales in 2010 amounted to
EUR 10.3 billion. Stora Enso shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki (STEAV,
STERV) and Stockholm (STE A, STE R). In addition, the shares are traded in the
USA as ADRs (SEOAY) in the International OTCQX over-the-counter market. 


STORA ENSO OYJ