The initial loan facility for China was signed between Stora Enso and IFC in June 2005. The amount was increased to 300 million Dollars in June 2006, of which 128 million is now extended. 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 banks are Crédit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank, Handelsbanken, HSBC, Nordea, SEB and The Royal Bank ofScotland.In line with its growth markets strategy, Stora Enso is focusing on profitable expansion in China by prioritizing local sustainable supplies of fiber and by targeting investments in growth markets and selected product segments.IFC is a member of the World Bank Group focussed on private sector development in emerging markets.“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 Markus Rauramo, CFO of Stora Enso.