- Registration number 1936/008963/06 - Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa - Share code: SAP - ISIN: ZAE000006284 JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Dec. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Reference is made to the Sappi Limited (NYSE:SPP) audited annual financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2008 which were published on 4 December 2008, for the purposes of making them available in connection with the renounceable rights offer of 286 886 270 ordinary shares of R1,00 which was being conducted by Sappi at the time. Shareholders were informed that the full annual report, including the annual financial statements would be dispatched later in December 2008. Shareholders are informed that the full annual report together with the Annual Financial Statements (the Annual Report) is expected to be dispatched to shareholders on 23 December 2008. The Annual Report will also be available on line on the Sappi website (http://www.sappi.com/) from the date of dispatch. The Annual Financial Statements have been audited by Sappi's auditors, Deloitte & Touche and there have not been any changes to the results published initially in the preliminary announcement of 6 November 2008 and the subsequent announcement of 4 December 2008. Deloitte & Touche's unqualified report is available for inspection at the companies registered office. The Notice of the Annual General Meeting to be held at the registered office of Sappi Limited, 48 Ameshoff Street Braamfontein on 2 March 2009 at 15h00, is contained in the Annual Report. About Sappi Limited A global leader in the pulp and paper industry, Sappi Limited (NYSE, JSE, LSE) conducts its business through two business units, Sappi Fine Paper and Sappi Forest Products. Sappi Fine Paper, operating in Europe, North America and South Africa, produces a wide range of coated fine paper brands with an international reputation for quality and innovation. The company also produces a range of uncoated graphic and business papers, coated and uncoated specialty papers, as well as casting release papers. Sappi Forest Products owns or manages approximately 540,000 hectares of plantations through Sappi Forests; is a leading Southern African fully integrated pulp, packaging paper and newsprint business through Sappi Kraft; and is the world's leading producer of chemical cellulose used in the manufacture of viscose fibre through Sappi Saiccor; Sappi Trading, based in Hong Kong, operates a trading network for the international sales and distribution of the products of the two divisions outside their core operation regions. For more information, visit: http://www.sappi.com/. DATASOURCE: Sappi Limited CONTACT: Denis O'Connor of Sappi Limited, +27-11-407-807, Web site: http://www.sappi.com/

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