Stora Enso to Sign an Agreement for Co-Operation with UNDP China

Stora Enso to Sign an Agreement for Co-Operation with UNDP China

March 29, 2006

    SHANGHAI, China, March 29 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Stora
Enso has today signed a memorandum of understanding with
the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to address
the key findings of the environmental and social impact
assessment of Stora Enso's plantations in Guangxi Province,
China.  During a five-year period, Stora Enso and UNDP will
co-operate to conserve biodiversity in Guangxi and to
improve community well-being.  The results of the
environmental and social impact assessment, which is not
yet a common practice for plantation projects in China,
were also publicised at the signing ceremony. 

    According to the results of the study, there are no
major environmental or social issues that could jeopardise
Stora Enso's plantation project in Guangxi.  Environmental
impacts identified in the study will be managed with Stora
Enso's good plantation management practices.  In the social
dimension, Stora Enso aims to continue and strengthen the
engagement with local landholders and communities. 

    "Based on our experience, we firmly believe that
this type of study has to be carried out in co-operation
with a reliable partner to provide a transparent process
where the results are published and is in line with our
financial goals," commented CFO Hannu Ryopponen,
present at the signing ceremony.  "It increases the
credibility of the project and it helps Stora Enso win the
acceptance of stakeholders."

    Previous press releases concerning Stora Enso's
plantations in Guangxi Province, China can be found at
http://www.storaenso.com/press .

    -- 10 November 2005, Stora Enso strengthens its
presence in Guangxi

    -- 10 June 2005, Stora Enso signs loan agreement with
International 
       Financing Corporation

    -- 31 March 2005, UNDP to Assess Environmental and
Social Impact of a 
       Forestry Investment Project in Guangxi, China

    For more information, please contact:

     Kari Tuomela, President, 
     Stora Enso Guangxi Forestry
     Tel:   [phone]
   
     Markku Pentikainen, Executive Vice President, 
     Stora Enso Asia Pacific
     Tel:   [phone]

     Eija Pitkanen, Vice President, 
     Sustainability Communications and CSR
     Tel:   [phone] 

     Kari Vainio, Executive Vice President,
     Corporate Communications
     Tel:   [phone]

     Web:   http://www.storaenso.com
            http://www.storaenso.com/sustainability

SOURCE  Stora Enso Asia Pacific