Thomas Nisters

Thomas Nisters, corporate communications manager for Hamburg-based consultancy IconMedialab, points to Stockholm, Sweden, where people can submit their government documents over the Internet, and says that electronic banking transactions are also more up-to-date in Scandinavia than in Germany.For now, Germany is playing an aggressive game of catch-up, building up its education sector, working with its technology businesses, and rethinking its regulation of employment and online commerce.

"In Germany, the government is not regarded as being very tech savvy, and they want to change that," says Thomas Nisters, manager of corporate communications for e-biz consultancy IconMedialab.Improving schools is one area that would have a big payoff, he says, noting that businesses can play a role in putting pressure on government to bring the schools up to speed in teaching technology and in developing programs to actually get computers into the schools.Nister recalls promises from Germany's leaders to ensure a computer-yes, one computer -in every school.These eventually gave way to calls for a computer in every classroom, and now the talk is about providing a laptop for every student.Despite ambitious plans, however, Germany still lags.

The German government isn't sitting on its hands, however.It does, after all, put its money where its hopes are by investing in technology upstarts.

In Germany , the government is not regarded as being very tech savvy , and they want to change that , says Thomas Nisters , manager of corporate communications for e-biz consultancy IconMedialab.Improving schools is one area that would have a big payoff , he says , noting that businesses can play a role in putting pressure on government to bring the schools up to speed in teaching technology and in developing programs to actually get computers into the schools.Nister recalls promises from Germany's leaders to ensure a computer-yes , one computer -in every school.These eventually gave way to calls for a computer in every classroom , and now the talk is about providing a laptop for every student.Despite ambitious plans , however , Germany still lags.

The German government isn't sitting on its hands , however.It does , after all , put its money where its hopes are by investing in technology upstarts.

Thomas Nisters, Manager Corporate Communications, tel. +49 16 333 48 225 or e-mail thomas.nisters@iconmedialab.de

About Stora Enso:Stora Enso (www.storaenso.com) is an integrated forest products company producing magazine papers, newsprint, fine papers and packaging boards, areas in which the Group is a global market leader.Stora Enso also has extensive sawmilling operations.Stora Enso's sales total EUR 13 billion and annual paper and board production capacity about 15 million tonnes.Some 45,000 persons are employed in more than 40 countries and the company's shares are listed in Helsinki, New York and Stockholm.

Thomas Nisters , Manager Corporate Communications

Mobile +49 163 33 48 225

Thomas.Nisters@iconmedialab.com