Metsäliitto Group has agreed to sell its shareholding in Vapo to a consortium managed by EPV Energy

Metsäliitto Group, Stock Exchange Release 5 May 2009 at 10 am

Metsäliitto Group has today agreed to sell all of its shareholding
(49.9%) in Vapo Oy to a Finnish consortium managed by EPV Energy Ltd.
The price for the shares to be sold totals EUR 165 million.
Metsäliitto books a gain of approximately EUR 27 million."Good cooperation between Metsäliitto Group and Vapo and operative
business continues as usual. In the future, Metsäliitto will
concentrate even more closely on its core businesses and develop them
further. This sale enables Metsäliitto to develop its key businesses
and improve its financial position," says Kari Jordan, President &
CEO, Metsäliitto Group.

The transaction is expected to be completed during the second quarter
of 2009. The deal will be concluded after receipt of the approval by
the regulatory authorities.

Vapo Group's sales in 2008 were EUR 631.8 million and it employs
1,780 employees. The Finnish State owns 50.1% of Vapo's shares.

EPV Energy is a Finnish power company which supplys 1,200,000 MWh of
heat and 4,000,000 MWh of electricity for its owners yearly. The
company's sales in 2008 were EUR 166.4 million.

Further information:
Hannu Anttila, EVP, Strategy, Metsäliitto Group, tel. +358 10 465
5111
Anne-Mari Achrén, CCO, Metsäliitto Group, tel. +358 10 465 4541