5/10/01 - Stora Enso Oyj, rated Baa1 (stable)/BBB+ (stable), is planning to launch a benchmark Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registered U.S. dollar global bond offering subject to market conditions. The issue is intended for the refunding of certain of the company's commercial paper borrowings and bank loans as well as financing for general corporate purposes. The company's intention is to have a roadshow in Europe and in the U.S. next week. The joint-bookrunners for the transaction are Goldman Sachs and Salomon Smith Barney. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the SEC but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This announcement shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such an offer would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state. A copy of the preliminary prospectus relating to the offering, which contains certain previously unreleased information, may be obtained from Stora Enso, tel. +358 2046 21327.