OXENOEEN, Norway, Jan. 15, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- In connection with Norske Skog's cost-cutting program "Improvement 2003," the company will book approximately NOK 600 million in the Q4 2002 accounts for estimated restructuring costs. This amount will be included as operating costs in the income statement, and will have an after-tax effect of approximately NOK 400 million.
A second unusual item in the Q4 accounts stems from changes to Australia's tax laws. The net effect on Norske Skog is that deferred taxes on the balance sheet are reduced by approximately NOK 300 million, with a corresponding income effect in the income statement.
As mentioned previously, the Q4 2002 accounts will also include the gain on the sale of forestland of approximately NOK 160 million. This amount will be included under "other items" in the income statement.