HELSINKI, Finland, Aug. 14 -- Stora Enso today announced that Markku Pentikainen has been appointed Executive Vice President, Stora Enso Asia Pacific, effective from 1 January 2004. He will succeed Seppo Hietanen, who is retiring. Mr Pentikainen will join Stora Enso's Management Group and report to Bjorn Hagglund, Deputy CEO. He will be based in Shanghai. Markku Pentikainen, 49, is currently Senior Vice President, Imatra Mills and HR, Stora Enso Packaging Product Area. He joined the Company in 1979. Juha Helkala, 46, has been appointed General Manager, Imatra Mills effective from 1 October 2003 to succeed Markku Pentikainen. He will be based at Imatra and report to Niilo Poyhonen, Executive Vice President, Consumer Boards Division. He joined the Company in 1982. Juha Helkala will also remain Managing Director of Varenso.